ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) will stage a protest march from the Parliament House to the Prime Minister Office today (Saturday) against non-representation of the journalists associations in the committee constituted to prepare code of conduct for media.

The protest march would start from the Parliament House at 2 pm and it would culminate at the Prime Minister Office where representatives of the journalists associations would address the participants of the march.

The decision to this respect was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of PFUJ President Afzal Butt that was attended by the representatives of the journalists associations including National Press Club (NPC) President Shahrayar Khan, NPC General Secretary Tariq Chaudhry, Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) President Ali Raza Alvi, RIUJ General Secretary Bilal Dar and former NPC president Farooq Faisal.

The participants of the meeting underlined the need to give representation to the journalists associations in the committee to prepare code of conduct for media in particular reference with terrorism in the country.

Speaking on the occasion PFUJ president said the proposed legislation regarding code of conduct for media carries some sections that are against the spirit of freedom of expression.“These kinds of laws or code of conduct have not been enforced in the civilised nations and if the government wants to carry out legislation that can violate the freedom of expression then the journalists would stage protest against it,” he said.

The participants unanimously demanded of the government to include representatives of the journalists associations in the committee that can better help prepare a code of conduct to build public opinion against terrorism.

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“ No compromise will be made on the freedom of expression and no such incident will be tolerated in future”,said Kamil Ali Agha.

Zafar Ali Shah said that it was good that the government has already withdrawn the FIR against a news channel,but at the same time he asked the media to keep the national interest supreme while covering various incidents.

Farhatullah Babar said that the statement of the provincial information secretary and the Balochistan CM are contradictory.

Earlier Information Secretary Balochistan said that the FIR against the TV channel was not registered on the directives of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.However he said that law and order situation there was not normal and courts have time and again asked the administration to take action against those newspapers and news channels that glorify the terrorist activities. In this regard he mentioned a Balochistan High Court order.

Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Chaudhry Rasheed said that the authority has not taken any discriminatory action against on particular TV channel but issued notices to all violating rules.

Agenda item about foreign content on local channels was deferred with a directive to PEMRA to present a comprehensive report of rules violations and the action taken against the violators within ten days.

About the PTV presentation on the appointments in the corporation the Chairman of the committee Kamil Ali Agha said that it was very unsatisfactory and asked Secretary information Dr Nazir Saeed that the ministry itself should provide a report on PTV.

Expressing its concern over the reports that the PTV has not taken part in the bidding to purchase rights of showing Pakistan cricket matches,the committee decided to summon the past two managing directors of the PTV and ask them how during their tenure the PTV used to telecast the matches live.
The meeting was attended by Senators Fahatullah Babar, Shirala Malik, Daud Achakzai, Saeeda Iqbal, Farha Aqil and Zafar Ali Shah.

Senior officials of the Information Ministry,PEMRA and PTV were also present in the meeting.

Associated Press of Pakistan