Another eight news channels agree on code of conduct

Pakistan

Another eight news channels agree on code of conduct

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16 November,2009 06:42 pm

Pakistans 16 TV channels have endorsed voluntarily prepared code of conduct for live coverage of terrorism incidents. Media professionals from Aaj News, ARY News, Awaz Tv, Business Plus, Channel Five, Dawn News, Din News, Dunya News, Express News, Geo News, Khyber News, News One, Punjab Tv and Star Asia, Royal News, Samma News and Waqt News participated in the discussion. This raised to 16 the number of channels that have voluntarily committed themselves to self-created broad guidelines concerning terrorism coverage.All media professionals agreed to further speed up the process of implementation of the voluntary coverage rules in line with each channel's technical capacity and editorial policy. Participants of the session evaluated the points of an initial proposal and made a number of suggestions to make the document more comprehensive. It was unanimously agreed that arrangements may be made to provide mid-career training to camera crew, reporters, panel producers and news anchorpersons to further professionalize their work. The training sessions may be organized by respective channels for their staff or may be a collective effort benefiting a cross section of electronic mediapersons. Top-level news managers gathered at the event from across Pakistan also agreed to closely liase with each other on professional matters especially those which relate to public and viewer interest. There was also agreement on continuing the consultative process and codifying its shared results.