Investigative Journalism
Media Ethics
Anti-Money Laundering and Funding for Extremist Organization
Media Safety and Security
Social Media for Journalists
A seminar on “Media Ethics & Court Reporting” organized by Islamabad bar association in collaboration with “Press Council of Pakistan” prominent speakers including Chairman, Press Council of Pakistan Raja M. Shafqat Abbasi , Mr. Abdul Wadood Qurashi , Resident Editor Daily Khabrain, Mr. Aamir Jehangir (CEO Mishal), Mr. Sultan Shah, Ex President (CCRAR), Mr. Zaman, President (CCRAI), Mr. Javaid Saleem Shorish, Advocate Supreme Court, Mr. Ayub Arbab , General Secretary, Bar Association and Shahid Abbasi, Advocate and Mr. Naseer Anjum also address.
Chairman, Press Council of Pakistan Raja M. Shafqat Abbasi, speaking on the occasion, said that Ethical Code of Practices has been finalized with the consent of all media related organization including APNS, CPNE and PFUJ. He said Court Reporting is very sensitive job miner mistake can destroy their organization so court reporters must be trained they must follow Ethical Code of Conducts.
Mr. Abbasi has said that Court Reporters are vital part of judicial system. They are also officers of the court who informed the public about the court proceedings. He said “Trail Reporting” is specialized form of journalism. Media institutions should organize workshops to train the journalists. Mr. Abbasi urged the media men that while reporting the matter, principles of fairness, accuracy, relevancy, impartiality, right of privacy and right of clarification should be maintained. He said that sensationalism, encouragement of violence or terrorism has no place in the journalism.
He offered that Press Council of Pakistan is ready to hold short courses with the collaboration of National Universities to enhance the capacity and professional capabilities. He said the PCP would give Award of the Year to the best court reporter to promote the healthy journalism.
Mr. Wadood Qureshi, Mr. Sultan Shah and Mr. Aamir Jehangir has turned the seminar in the right direction and they said that media is playing great role in educating the society as well as strengthening the democratic institutions. Mr. Javaid Shorish and Mr. Naseer Anjum have demanded that media institutions, Press Council and PEMRA should play their effective role in curbing yellow journalism.
Apart from the Advocates, large number of the Court Reporters working in Rawalpindi/Islamabad have attended the Seminar.
The Press Council of Pakistan announces media capacity building initiative and media awards on Court Reporting. with MISHAL Pakistan under the AGAHI initiative.
At a seminar held at Islamabad Bar Association on Media Ethics and Court Reporting, Mr. Shafquat M. Abbasi, Chairman Press Council of Pakistan announced the need for capacity building of the journalists reporting on court issues, especially investigative journalism.
The Press Council of Pakistan Ordinance was promulgated in 2002. The Council works for the freedom of the press and the rights of the common man. It is independent, autonomous and self-regulatory institutions, which will be, develop good media practice.
Shafquat Abbasi, Chairman Press Council Of Pakistan praised the role of media and enlightened that Media is working with integrity and pride and the press is vibrant and independent in Pakistan. He negated the concept that media is glorifying terrorism and violence and applauded the efforts of journalists reporting on terrorism and conflict.
Shafquat Abbasi proposed to start a series of short certificate programs for court and crime reporters in collaboration with Mishal Pakistan, lawyer fraternity and the Center for International Media Ethics (CIME).
Amir Jahangir, CEO Mishal Pakistan, media and strategic communications entity in Pakistan, offered their services to the Press Council of Pakistan in developing media’s capacity on crime and court reporting on the lines of investigative journalism. Mishal Pakistan is already working on increasing the capacity of investigative journalism and responsible reporting in Pakistan, the programme also known as AGAHI is being collaborative effort with the Press Clubs and Journalists associations across Pakistan.
Participants and speakers emphasized on the role of responsible and ethical court reporting in creating awareness among the masses and iterated that a responsible media can bring a positive change in the society. A few speakers also pointed out that the role of media owners refraining ethical reporting amid personal interests. It was emphasized that media should be free of the influence of personal liking and disliking of the owners.
Zaman Mughal, President Crime and Court Reporters Association Islamabad stated that the crime reporters vow to follow rules and regulations and it is a collaborative effort to follow ethical standards of reporting.
Syed Sultan Shah, senior member and former president of court and crime reporters association Rawalpindi discussed the major problems being faced by journalists reporting criminal court proceedings.
At the occasion the lawyers fraternity demanded for ethical court reporting and offered a helping hand to the Press Council of Pakistan in preparing a programme for the journalists.
The establishment of Press Council is a step towards strengthening the fourth pillar of the state. The Press Council of Pakistan’s mandate is to maintain high standards of fairness while addressing the public complaints against the media. The council includes: Four members by the All Pakistan Newspapers Society, Four members by the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors, Four members by the professional bodies of Journalists, Vice Chairman Pakistan Bar Council, Chairperson or nominee of the Higher Education Commission, One member by the Leader of the House in the National Assembly, One member by the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, One mass media reductionist to be nominated by the Council, One woman to be nominated by the National Commission on Status of Women in Pakistan.
Chairman, Press Council of Pakistan Raja M. Shafqat Abbasi, speaking on the occasion, said that Ethical Code of Practices has been finalized with the consent of all media related organization including APNS, CPNE and PFUJ. He said Court Reporting is very sensitive job miner mistake can destroy their organization so court reporters must be trained they must follow Ethical Code of Conducts.
He offered that Press Council of Pakistan is ready to hold short courses with the collaboration of National Universities to enhance the capacity and professional capabilities. He said the PCP would give Award of the Year to the best court reporter to promote the healthy journalism.
