ISLAMABAD: The Press Council of Pakistan decided on Tuesday to take measures for improving ethical standards in journalism.

A meeting presided over by CouncilÂ’s Chairman Raja Mohammad Shafqat Abbasi was informed that the PCP Ordinance and Ethical Code of Practice would be sent to all newspapers and press clubs to sensitise journalists and the public on issues of ethical journalism.

Mr Abbasi said the council would be an independent, autonomous and self-regulatory institution. The members of the council praised the government for reviving the institution after a lapse of eight years.

The meeting decided that all decisions would be made with consensus and there would be no compromise on freedom of the press.

A four-member committee was formed to finalise the council’s rules and regulations.

The committee will submit its recommendations and put up the draft rules and regulations within 15 days which will be circulated to the rest of council members for their approval.

The meeting agreed that an endowment fund should be set up for smooth working of the council.

Later, the council members called upon Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

The prime minister assured his government’s all out support to the Press Council and directed the information ministry to create an endowment fund to ensure its independent and influence-free functioning of the council.

He said the establishment of press council was a step towards strengthening of mass media.
Source: Dawn
Date:11/2/2011