Govt finalises code of conduct for private TV channels

ISLAMABAD: The government has finalized a code of conduct for private TV channels by taking on board all stakeholders, the Standing Committee of National Assembly on Information and Broadcasting was told on Tuesday.

At the first meeting of newly formed committee, chaired by MNA Marvi Memon, the officials of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting gave a detailed briefing on the working of ministry as well as its subsidiaries.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary Dr Saeed Nazir told the committee that the working on the code of conduct for TV channels had been under way for quite some time and now the task has been accomplished.

“All the relevant stakeholders have been taken into confidence before finalising this code,” he said. About the working of state-owned PTV, members of the committee pointed out that various scandals about this institution had surfaced in the past, tarnishing its image. They said that improvements should be brought about in working of PTV to save this national institution. They, however, told the committee that different channels of PTV, Radio Pakistan, Associated Press of Pakistan and Shalimar Recording are working “efficiently”, and promised to further improve working of these departments in light of recommendations of the committee.

Responding to points of members, the information secretary told the committee that his ministry had taken notice of non-airing of Pak-South Africa cricket series on the national TV channel. Committee members also sought details of appointments made in the ministry and its subsidiaries during the last five years of PPP government. MNA Talal Chaudhry, a member of committee, raised the issue of Aiwan-e-Iqbal and pointed out that the fate of this institution is hanging in balance between Centre and province of Punjab after the 18th Amendment.

Source:Daily Times