Shamsul Islam Naz

PFUJ  decided to formulate a `code of ethics’, 

PFUJ Secretariat

Media Release !

       Islamabad, Jan. 28 :- The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists has decided to formulate a `code of ethics’, with the consultation of all stake- holders and civil society after holding parleys with them with the specific objective of enhancing the image of media, and for building the professional capabilities of media persons so as to help check decline in the image of the profession in the general public and intelligentsia.

  This decision was taken in the FEC meeting, which the supreme policy making body of the PFUJ, in its three-day moot held at the National Press Club, Islamabad.

The FEC observed that the PFUJ had a pride in its Code of Conduct formulated years ago which makes it obligatory upon its members to maintain good quality of workmanship, and high standard of conduct, reporting the truth and desisting from all those activities which may discredit a journalist, his newspaper, his profession etc.

  The PFUJ’s code of conduct lays stress on freedom in honest collections and publication of facts, rights of fair comments and criticism, avoiding employing unfair methods.

  It promotes spirit of willingness among journalists to help other fellow journalists, keeping in mind the laws of libel, contempt of court, copyright and observing the practice of rule of fair-play.

  The FEC further observed that “notwithstanding the existence of aforesaid code of conduct adopted and laid down by the forefathers of the PFUJ decades ago, the emerging trends and present-day requirements, it is the need of the hour to take into confidence all stake-holders, intelligentsia, civil society for formulating an acceptable and practicable code of conduct, both for print and electronic media in a such a way that it ensures implementation thereon a letter and spirit.”

  The FEC was of the view that with a media revolution which has literally removed all barriers on communications, there are a lot of complaints, and media is being blamed for employing unethical tactics in publishing and airing contents in media, putting a lot of stress on human beings from alleged angling and twisting of facts, amid display of those live events which disturb mental faculties of human beings.

  In this scenario, the FEC observed that time has come that all stake-holders of media sit together and do brain-storming to evolve an acceptable and workable code of ethics for preserving and enhancing the image of the media and to promote the true and factual journalism.

  To achieve this task, the PFUJ decided that it would involve all stake-holders for formulating a code of ethics. A series of conferences would be held at all the provincial capitals for preparing the draft of the code of ethics which would be finalized at a country-wide conference in Islamabad in which input of renowned international media organisations would be included. 

Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General 
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk