ISLAMABAD: Media has been urged to demonstrate responsibility while covering and highlighting sensitive issues having direct bearing on the society.

The call was made at a two-day dialogue organised by “SACH-Struggle for Change” in collaboration with European Commission here on Thursday.

The main objective of the dialogue was to highlight the role of media in preventing torture while fighting terrorism. The consultation aimed at filling the gap of undermining absolute promotion of torture in media emphasised strengthening of the audience understanding about the issue of torture and its consequences for society.

Experts from print and electronic media from all over the country participated in the consultation. The consultation was moderated by Tariq Mehmood from a private TV channel.

On the first day of consultation, Khalida Salimi, Executive Director SACH delivered the welcome note and gave brief description about the impact of torture on the individuals and society and also highlighted the psychological and physical impacts of torture.

The panel discussed the international principles in the war on terrorism. This session was facilitated by Ms Simbal Adnan Khan Director 1551. The third session was on the role and responsibilities of media in monitoring, addressing and preventing torture within the fight against terrorism.

On the beginning of second day, emerging jurisprudence on terrorism and convention against torture (CAT) were discussed in details and it was appreciated that now Pakistani government is implementing convention against torture (CAT) and other international treaties related to terrorism.

Then the participants discussed the effective ways of applying investigative journalism in reporting facts about prevalence of torture in the war against terrorism, role of print and electronic media with special focus on combating torture in war against terrorism and how to protect yourself while reporting in conflict zone.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:4/23/2010