The three-day international conference on "Media Agenda" concluded on Thursday in which speakers discussed issues related to the code of ethics and media council, talk shows, breaking news and ratings. The moot was organised by Mass Communication Department of Federal Urdu University of Science and Technology (FUUAST) at Arts Council auditorium.
Maqsood Yousufi, editor daily NaiBaat, Karachi said the Press Council of Pakistan is not the body that journalist sought for during their struggle for Freedom of Press. The council established by the government is not free of the govt's influence thus it cannot be termed as a free forum to address media. He said journalism is actually an extension of a man's ability and necessity to communicate. He said such an important profession like journalism cannot be left unchecked absolutely free. He said advertisements and news should be given discernible treatment, any attempt to mix these two messages together, would be unethical. News should be treated in such a way that it should not incite people for any unlawful behaviour.
Wusatullah Khan, a senior political analyst BBC-Urdu Service London while addressing the session, said the most powerful medium today is a printed word even in the presence of electronic media. He said talk shows should focus on the problems being faced by the public and should not be given-agenda specific. He requested the anchor persons to focus on fresh ideas and look for new guests for their talk shows instead of just following the beaten line.
Muqtada Mansoor, a senior columnist while addressing the moot said, 'laws, code of ethics are not static and frozen set of values, they are subjected to change and continuous evaluation'. He said it is mandatory for journalists and media organisations to follow the code of ethics. He also stressed the need to revisit various clauses of the code of ethics.
Professor Shafey Kidwai, Aligarth Muslim University, India said necessity of code of ethics cannot be over emphasised. It is necessary to have a code of ethics for journalists. He raised the importance of freedom of individuals and said self-proclaimed religious and political leaders should not try to set the agenda of their society. They should leave individuals free to have their own choices. He said a new society is emerging in India and Pakistan and this new society is different from the traditional society we have experienced in this part of the world.
Hussain Naqi, a senior journalist and human rights activist while addressing the moot said code of conduct is the part of the Constitution of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists. It means that the journalists are very much in favour of the code of ethics for journalist. He said if the media houses and journalists would follow their code of ethics it will give them credibility in the society.
Qaiser Mahmood, a senior reporter and political analyst said owners of all electronic channels are partners and sponsors of the rating system in Pakistan. There are incidents when manipulation of these ratings was reported.
Mujahid Brelvi, a senior anchorperson while addressing the moot said journalists are being targeted in Pakistan. Civil society and the journalists organisations should come forward and keep doing their good work. Tahir Hassan, Farhad Zaidi, Hussain Naqi, Masood Ashar, Nasir Abbas, Ahmed Shah, Professor Dr Shafey Kidwai also spoke one the occasion. Dr Tausif Ahmed Khan thanked the guests and participants of the conference.