Info Ministry pressed to implement media code of conduct
* Senate body laments no satellite TV channel is airing programmes for children
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ISLAMABAD: Senate’s Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage on Tuesday asked the Information Ministry to take steps for settlement of code of conduct within 10 days.

The committee met under the chairmanship of Kamil Ali

Agha was discussing the status of electronic media’s code of conduct approved by the Senate committee.

Information Secretary Muhammad Azam told the committee that the bill was also sent to the National Assembly. He said that its implementation was delayed as the government wanted to create consensus on the matter.

He said that the ministry has held meeting with Pakistan

Broadcasters Association (PBA) and next meeting is due on June 11.

He said the bill has already been sent to the cabinet Division that would get it approved from the Federal cabinet before its implementation.

Agha asked the ministry that its implementation was delayed and there was no justification to wait for the input of those stakeholders who did not bother come forward when the bill was being discussed at threadbare.

Discussing the Bol TV issue, the committee asked the government to explain its position over the letter written to Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for suspension of Bol TV transmission.

The committee was informed that the said letter was issued after consultation with the legal advisers of the ministry. He said that as the director of Axact and Bol was the same person, the government issued the letter to save image of the country. Moreover, he said that the Bol TV’s directors were given security clearance in haste and it did not fulfil legal requirements in import of its equipment.

Some of the members also opined that coverage of the Axact issue on satellite TV channels was earning bad name to the country.

On the issue of foreign content, the committee was of the opinion that with the passage of time more and more TV channels have started airing the foreign television plays in violation of PEMRA laws. They said that no satellite TV channel was airing any children-specific programmes.

Earlier, Azam gave a detailed briefing the committee on the working of the ministry and its attached departments. The meeting was attended by Sassui Palejo, Saeed Ghani, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Farhatullah Babar, Khushbakht Shujaat, Rubina Khalid, Nehal Hashmi, Salahuddin Tirmizi and Rozi Khan Kakar.

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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