Journalists covering the seminars and conferences fail to make their reports newsy and, some time, they give undue prominence to the lengthy speeches of the chief guests.
This was the consensus at a seminar on "Media Shoptalk", organised by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), on "covering seminars and conferences effectively" here on Thursday.
Speakers at the shoptalk stressed upon the journalists, working in the print and electronic media, to desist from following the stereotype reporting.
The shoptalk was addressed by Pakistan Press International (PPI) Bureau Chief Naseer Aijaz; Professor of Mass Communications Department, Karachi University, Shahida Kazi; ARY Programme Producer Rehan Ahmad, FM 107 programmes consultant and producer Sara Abbasi, while PPF Director Samina Ishaq presided over the meeting.
Naseer Aijaz, in his speech, said when he started his career as a journalist he faced many difficulties.
When a budding journalist was given his first assignment, he often took it with a certain amount of anxiety, he stated.
"If he wants to get recognition of his reports, he should do some homework before covering the seminars, conferences and meetings
"This exercise will help make his stories readable," he said, adding the coverage of an event should be in the familiar pyramid style in terms of importance and newsworthiness of the speakers and their statements.
Shahida Kazi said today's newspapers were much news-oriented and provided much news content.
Regretting the dearth of investigative reporting, she said: "In today's newspapers 90 percent coverage is given to the seminars, conferences and meetings, which lack newsworthiness.
"In the past, to be specific 40-year ago, reporters used to concentrate on scoops and investigative reporting," she added.
Shahida said: "Unlike BBC and other foreign channels, which do not give importance to the seminars, our electronic media still give prominence to the coverage of the seminars and conferences."
She said: "Our journalism is chief guest-oriented and we think the chief guest gives us information so he should be given proper coverage.
"Even the owners of the newspapers also encourage this tendency and the electronic media also follow the same patron and cover the chief guests," she added.
"Reporters are spoon-fed and they report whatever they receive," she said, adding for this not only the journalists, but also the owners were responsible, who used them as a public relations persons.
Stressing the need for balance reporting, Kazi stressed upon the journalists to attend the entire programme as some time the news was picked up from the tail of the programme.
Rehan Ahmed said in the electronic media, the producers and cameramen played an important role, and added because of limited time, the coverage of an event could not exceed two minutes.
About the importance of the electronic media, he said a person himself spoke in front of the camera while the newspaper statement could be denied.
"A good reporter is that who remains in touch with good books, because information helps him cover any event or programme in an effective manner," he said.
Sarah Abbasi said: "Radio gives you instant information and news because it believes in movement, a prompt movement. So you should be prepared before broadcasting any programme."
Samina said the purpose of the media shoptalk was to learn from journalists, distinguished in a particular area.
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