SC names media accountability commission

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 15 January 2013

The Supreme Court has formed a commission to set terms of reference for media accountability. This follows a petition by senior journalists regarding corruption in media practices.
Summary

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday named retired judge Nasir Aslam Zahid and former Information Minister Javed Jabbar as members of a commission to decide terms of reference for the media, reports said.

The appointments come following a media accountability petition filed by senior journalists Absar Alam and Hamid Mir in July last year.

Reports say the commission is mandated to investigate corruption allegations against journalists; inquire the source of income of television channel owners, advertising agencies and anchorpersons; give recommendations on content regulation and develop a code of conduct for the media.

The media accountability commission will also reportedly announce terms regarding the misuse of secret funds by as many as 27 ministries, including the information ministry.

According to the petition, these institutions allegedly used an amount of Rs5 billion under the head of secret funds to manipulate the media.

Key Points

Commission to investigate corruption allegations against journalists
Members include Nasir Aslam Zahid and Javed Jabbar
Mandate to inquire sources of income for media entities
Recommendations on content regulation and code of conduct
Focus on misuse of secret funds by government ministries

Relevant Topics

Supreme Court

Media Accountability

Commission

Javed Jabbar

Corruption

Regulations

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