Government of Pakistan is fully cognizant to safeguard the rights of women and has

taken significant steps for social, political, economic and legal empowerment of
Pakistani women. Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan guarantees
Fundamental Rights. Several provisions in the preamble, the chapter on fundamental
rights and the chapter on Principles of Policy underline principles of equal rights and
equal treatment of all citizens/ persons, without any distinction including on the basis
of sex.

Cases of violence against women have been increasing as confirmed by the data
provided by Gender Crime Cell, Ministry of Interior. There are different reasons of
increasing trend in reported cases and one of the reason is that due to mass
awareness and vibrant media (printed, electric and social), more cases are being
reported.

STEPS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN TO CURB VIOLENCE AGAINST

WOMEN:

The Criminal Law (Amendment) ACT, 2004 declared the crime of honor killing a
murder. A bold step taken by the erstwhile Ministry of Women Development by
promulgating law titled "The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2004". The law on
honor killing made changes in the criminal law to deal effectively with offenders and
declared honor killing as simple term of murder.

2. The Protection of Women (Criminals Laws Amendments) Act 2006

The Protection of Women (Criminals Laws Amendments) Act 2006 provides legal
protection to women and repealed those sections of Hudood Laws which were
disadvantageous to them. Protection of Women (Criminal Laws Amendment) Act
2006 has been enacted making 30 important amendments to the Offences of Zina
(Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance 1979, the Offence of Qazf (Enforcement of
Hudood Ordinance 1979), the Pakistan Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure
and the Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act 1939. The Act removes the crime of rape
from the Hudood Ordinance and inserted it in the Penal Code.

3. Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2010

Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2010 has been enacted by amending clause 509 of
Pakistan Penal Code 1860. The amendment adds a clear definition of sexual
harassment and articulates that this behavior, may it happen at workplace, markets,
streets or home, is a crime and is punishable by law. This covers all women in the
country including those who are domestic workers, agricultural laborers or home
based workers, the non formal sector as well as women in all public and private
sector. The punishment is up to 3 years imprisonment and / or up to Rupees 5
hundred thousand fines.

4. The Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010

The Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010 requires
all public and private organizations to adopt an internal Code of Conduct and a
complaint/appeals mechanism aimed at establishing a safe working environment,
free of intimidation and abuse for all employees. An ombudsperson is working on this
subject.

5. Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 2011

Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 2011 commonly known as Acid Control and

Acid Crime Act provides protection to women against defacing women through acid
throwing. Under this Act, whoever kills anyone by throwing or by administering
poison or other dangerous or corrosive substance shall be punished with death or
rigorous imprisonment for life and also with fine extending to one million rupees.

6. Criminal Law (Third Amendment) Act, 2011

Criminal Law (Third Amendment) Act, 2011 commonly known as Anti Women

Practices Act 2011 is the most significant among them. Prevention of Anti Women
Practices aims to banish harmful, old customary practices like giving a female in
marriage or otherwise in badla-e-sulh, wanni or swara, depriving a woman from
inheriting property, forced marriages, marriage with the Holy Quran.

7. Women in Distress and Detention Fund Act, 2011

Women in Distress and Detention Fund Act, 2011 has been promulgated to provide
financial and legal assistance to women in distress and detention. Under the new
legislation, the fund available specifically for this purpose will be utilized to provide
relief to women in distress and detention.
8. National Commission on the Status of Women Act 2012

National Commission on the Status of Women Act 2012 has been enacted for the

promotion of social, economic, political and legal rights of women, as provided in the
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in accordance with international
declarations, Conventions, treaties, Covenants and Agreements relating to women,
including the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW) and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

9. Anti-Rape Law, 2016

The main objective of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2016 is to take stringent
measures to protect the right of access to justice of victims of rape. One of the most
striking provisions added through the amendment is the inclusion of DNA testing as a
form of evidence and the provision of free legal aid to a rape victims.
10. Anti-Honour killing Law, 2016

Amendments have been made in several sections in Chapter XV of PPC to broaden

the

legal ambit of honour crimes. Crimes committed in the name of honour, now also
include hurt and determine stringent punishment for such offences as well as it
includes the definition of fasaad-fil-arz for which the sentence is life imprisonment (25
years) which cannot be waived or compounded. Offence under Sections 309 and 310
will, therefore, be subjected to the provision of Section 311, where the principle of
‘fasaad-fil-arz’ is attracted.

11. Hindu Marriage Act, 2017

The Hindu Marriage Act, 2017, the first personal law to regulate Hindu marriages,
has

been enacted. The Law prohibits the marriage of minors by prescribing the minimum
age of eighteen years as a condition precedent for contracting marriage. It also
protects customs and customary rites of Hindu community. It shall be applicable to
the extent of ICT, province of Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Other Legislation:

i. Christian Marriage and Divorce Bill, 2019

ii. Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2019.

iii. Islamabad Capital Territory Senior Citizens Bill, 2019

iv. Women right of inheritance ordinance 2019

OTHER STEPS REGARDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN:

1. Family Protection & Rehabilitation Centre for Women (FPRCW), Islamabad

Family Protection & Rehabilitation Centre for Women (FPRCW), Islamabad provides
counseling and legal/medical aid/help to women. The services readily available at the
Centre are psyco-social and legal counseling, telephonic counseling, medical and
legal aid etc.

2. Women and Child Protection Centre

Government have established Women and Child Protection Centre at Women Police
Station to check incidents of violence against women and ensure protection to them.
Women Police Station in Islamabad would be up-graded while human rights and
gender watch committee would be made more effective to handle such cases. Such
Centres would be extended to the Police Stations while special desks would be set
up at reporting rooms to lodge complaints related to violence against women and
children.
3. Establishment of “Helpline 1099” for Legal Advice on Human Rights Violations

The Ministry of Human Rights launched a project titled “Establishment of Helpline for
Legal Advice on Human Rights Violations, Islamabad”. Objective of this project is to
establish Helpline for Legal Advice on Human Rights Violations to provide quick relief
to the victims of human rights violations through legal advice and referral system. A
Toll Free No.1099 for legal advice on Human Rights Violations was installed.
Helpline received 465,732 calls and it provided legal and referral services to 35,509
victims of human rights violations since 2015 to March, 2019. The project has been
regularized w.e.f. 1st July, 2018.

4. Provincial CEDAW Implementation Committee:

On the request of Ministry of Human Rights, Provincial CEDAW Implementation

Committees have been revitalized/ reconstituted to ensure the implementation of
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and to
address the issues of women and to implement the Convention in letter and spirit.

5. Establishment of Human Rights Information Management System (HRIMS).

The project has been envisaged under Action Plan for Human Rights “to
institutionalize and establish a digital mechanism for disaggregated data collection
and technical analysis of statistics to monitor and evaluate human rights environment
as well as study emerging patterns and trends of human rights across Pakistan.

6. Research Study: Men’s Perception on Violence against women in Pakistan:

The Ministry of Human Rights in collaboration with partner organizations carried out a
research study in order to assess perceptions, attitudes and practices of married men
and women regarding human rights issues and gender equality in Pakistan. The
International Men & Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) in Pakistan, a nationwide
baseline study is conducted to provide a comprehensive assessment of the context
and prevalence of gender- based violence in Pakistan, with a focus on spousal
violence.

7.

8.

i. ii. iii.

Human Rights Funds:

Human Rights Relief and Revolving Funds. Diyat, Arsh and Daman Fund.

Women in Distress and Detention Fund.

Women Police Stations and Women Complaint Centers:

Women Police Stations staffed by the women police officers, were established during
1993-1996 with the objective to provide relief to those women victims who felt
reluctant to approach the male dominated police stations to lodge their complaints.
Twenty (20) Women Police Stations have been established in different cities all over
the country. These are established at Islamabad and the four provincial headquarters
and in major cities.

9. National Commission on Status of Women

National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) keeps a close liaison with the
Provincial Commissions on the Status of Women. Provincial Commissions also act
as oversight bodies to suggest policy, legal and administrative measures/ steps for
women empowerment and removal of discrimination against them in their respective
provinces.

10. National Action Plan for Human Rights

A National Action Plan for Human Rights was developed through extensive
consultations with all stakeholders and is being implemented all over Pakistan. It
broadly encompasses six thematic areas. Gender is cross cutting in the National
Plan but women specific interventions have also been included the Plan like a
uniform Women’s Empowerment Package, specific women focused legislative and
administrative measures at federal and provincial level.
Item No. 1 Item No. 2 Item No. 3 Item No. 4

Item No. 5 Item No. 6 Item No. 7 Item No. 8

Item No. 9 Item No. 10 Item No. 11 Item No. 12

Item No. 13 Item No. 14 Item No. 15 Item No. 16

OFFICIAL NOTE

Secretary, M/o Parliamentary Affairs has been pleased to observe that

official communications are not made in accordance with prescribed forms of
communication.

2. It has been desired that proper form of communication may be used in

future. Generally, the following forms of communication are required in the Ministry;-

(i) LETTER
It is written to express views/orders of Government. When an order is
conveyed, the letter starts with “ I am directed to”. However, when a
direction is not to be issued from the government and only views are
expressed, the letter will begin with “I have the honor to”.
(ii) OFFICE MEMORANDUM

This form will be used for correspondence between Divisions only. It

starts with “ The undersigned is directed to”.
(iii) D.O
It should be written for personal attention of an officer. It should not
have subject. It will start with salutation “Dear” and will end with “yours
sincerely”.

(iv) UN-OFFICIAL NOTE

It is generally written on a file which is meant to be sent

to another Division. It can be used for transmitting a proposal to another
Ministry.

3. All Officers of the Ministry may be directed to follow the prescribed

forms of communication, particularly, the above mentioned forms. Moreover, at the
end of a letter the signing officer should give his Office/Cell Number.

4. For approval please.

(Muhammad Shakeel Malik)

Additional Secretary
27th December, 2019
Secretary
 CODE OF ETHICS OF OTHER COUNTRIES

India

The Press Council in Norms of Journalistic Conduct states the Principles and Ethics
that the fundamental objective of journalism is to serve the people with news, views,
comments and information on matters of public interest in a fair, accurate, unbiased,
sober and decent manner. Towards this end, the Press is expected to conduct itself
in keeping with certain norms of professionalism universally recognised. The norms
enunciated below, when applied with due discernment and adaptation to the varying
circumstance of each case, will help the journalist to self-regulate his or her conduct.
The norms are Accuracy and Fairness, Pre-publication Verification, Caution against
defamatory writing, Parameter for the right of the Press to comment on the acts and
conduct of public officials, right to privacy, recording interviews and phone
conservation, Conjecture, comment and fact, Newspapers to eschew suggestive
guilty, corrections, right of reply, letters to editor, obscenity and vulgarity to be
eschewed, violence not to be glorified, glorification/encouragement of social evils to
be eschewed, covering communal disputes/ clashes, heading not to be sensational/
provocative and must justify the matter printed under them, caste, religion or
community references, reporting on natural calamities, paramount national interest,
newspapers may expose misuse of diplomatic immunity, investigative Journalism and
its norms and parameters, confidence to be respected, caution in criticising judicial
acts, newspapers to avoid crass commercialism, plagiarism, unauthorised lifting of
news, non-return of unsolicited material and advertisements. Also Council issued
some guidelines on specific issues

Azerbaijan

Principle 1 – To serve truth, accuracy and objectiveness.

1.1. The primary goal of Journalism is dissemination of truth; and objectiveness is a

main professional criteria.

Journalist should study the stance of criticism target in his/her article. In case of its
impossibility, condition should be created for criticism target so that he could bring up
his/her opinion, if he/she demands. Pluralism principles should be followed.

Comments in the paper should be expressed in a way that reader could differentiate
them from news, facts and accept it as a position journalist stands for.

Principle 2 – Attentive approach to information sources.

2.1 The source must be noted while disseminating official information of

organizations, parties, societies and other interested groups. However, if information
provider prefers to be anonymous, Journalist or information body must adhere to
his/her privacy rules. The confidentiality of the source-information should be
protected if the purpose of the information doesn’t produce confusion.
2.2 The information, provided by unofficial sources, their authenticity and information
value should be disseminated without further checking. When information is being
sent out for print, its connotation should not be misinterpreted. When citing from
another article and speech, a journalist should note precisely where it starts and
ends. While printing the photo-symbols (illustration, photomontage), it should be
noted that the photo-graph doesn’t characterize a document. The titles of the articles
should correspond with their subject.

2.3 Journalist should try to have his/her interview signed by interviewee or his/her
authorized person. In case of its unfeasibility, the interview and even the questions
given by journalist and whether they are going to be changes or nor should be
notified beforehand.

Principle 3 – Protection of honour and dignity, inviolability of personal life.

3.1 Journalist must not condemn people for nationality, race, sex, language,
profession, religion, and place of birth and exalt the kind of information.

3.2 Journalist should respect the honour, dignity, and inviolability of per-sonal life of
the person he had met with and wrote about.

3.3 Journalist cannot disseminate the facts on citizens’ personal life without their
consent, if it does not intervene social interest and is of public unimportance.

3.4 Journalist and mass media must eliminate the mistake as soon as possible,
regardless of who discovered it. During amendment, it should be clarified whether the
information is whole or part of it was wrong.

3.5 While publishing the letters implying personal information, the author, sender and
person’s heir/ess should be asked for permission.

3.6 The name or picture of a victim as a result of bereavement or crime must not be
proclaimed without her/his consent. This possible in special situations, only when the
victim is a public official. If the crime was committed by teenagers or children and is
of public unimportance, the dissemination of name or picture of the criminal must be
avoided.

3.7. Publication of the name and picture of a suspect is possible when it can be of
help or the person is already arrested or there is a link between his job and
committed crime.

3.8 If the mass media disseminated the information on any citizen’s arrest as a
suspect and after his/her innocence was proved, the information body must
announce about this.

Principle 4

Protection of journalist rights and the right of the organization he/she works for.

4.1 Expensive presents, and free of charge services can damage the reputation of
the journalist and the information body he/she represents. Therefore journalist must
not accept any presents for the position he/she holds or should not create a condition
for free of charge services. Journalist must not use the redaction document for
realization of his/her personal interests.

4.2. During his/her employment in redaction, journalist should avoid the membership
with any political organization or work that can damage the reputation of and belief to
the information body.

4.3. If the redaction task contradicts with law and professional behaviour, journalist
has a right to refuse it. If there is a misinterpretation of a journalist’s opinion during
the editing, he/she has a right to refuse to sign it.

4.4. Journalist is ought to keep the redaction secret, if it is not related with violation of
laws of Azerbaijan Republic and Professional Behaviour Rules.

4.5. Journalist cannot suggest the material he/she prepared to others, without co-
ordinating with management of the information body he/she works for.

4.6. Plagiarism is intolerable.

4.7. Journalist must avoid the use of vulgar expressions, jargons and should try to
contribute to enrich and protect the purity of the Azerbaijani language.

Australia

Privacy Principle 1: Collection of personal information

In gathering news, journalists should seek personal information only in the public
interest. In doing so, journalists should not unduly intrude on the privacy of
individuals and should show respect for the dignity and sensitivity of people
encountered in the course of gathering news.

In accordance with Principle 5 of the Council’s Statement of Principles, news

obtained by unfair or dishonest means should not be published unless there is an
overriding public interest. Generally, journalists should identify themselves as such.
However, journalists and photographers may at times need to operate surreptitiously
to expose crime, significantly anti-social conduct, public deception or some other
matter in the public interest.

Public figures necessarily sacrifice their right to privacy, where public scrutiny is in
the public interest. However, public figures do not forfeit their right to privacy
altogether. Intrusion into their right to privacy must be related to their public duties or
activities.

Privacy Principle 2: Use and disclosure of personal information

Personal information gathered by journalists and photographers should only be used
for the purpose for which it was intended. A person who supplies personal
information should have a reasonable expectation that it will be used for the purpose
for which it was collected.

Some personal information, such as addresses or other identifying details, may

enable others to intrude on the privacy and safety of individuals who are the subject
of news coverage, and their families. To the extent lawful and practicable, a media
organisation should only disclose sufficient personal information to identify the
persons being reported in the news, so that these risks can be reasonably avoided.

Privacy Principle 3: Quality of personal information

A media organisation should take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal
information it collects is accurate, complete and up-to-date.

Privacy Principle 4: Security of personal information

A media organisation should take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal
information it holds is protected from misuse, loss, or unauthorised access.

Privacy Principle 5: Anonymity of sources

All persons who provide information to media organisations are entitled to seek
anonymity. The identity of confidential sources should not be revealed, and where it
is lawful and practicable, a media organisation should ensure that any personal
information which it maintains derived from such sources does not identify the
source.

Privacy Principle 6: Correction, fairness and balance

In accordance with Principle 3 of the Council’s Statement of Principles, where

individuals are a major focus of news reports or commentary, the publication should
ensure fairness and balance in the original article. Failing that, the media
organisation should provide a reasonable and swift opportunity for a balancing
response in the appropriate section of the publication.

A media organisation should make amends for publishing any personal information
that is found to be harmfully inaccurate, in accordance with Principle 2 of the
Council’s Statement of Principles. The media organisation should also take steps to
correct any of its records containing that personal information, so as to avoid a
harmful inaccuracy being repeated.

Privacy Principle 7: Sensitive personal information

In accordance with Principle 8 of the Council’s Statement of Principles, media

organisations should not place any gratuitous emphasis on the categories of
sensitive personal information listed in Principle 8, except where it is relevant and in
the public interest to report and express opinions in these areas.
Members of the public caught up in newsworthy events should not be exploited. A
victim or bereaved person has the right to refuse or terminate an interview or
photographic session at any time.

Unless otherwise restricted by law or court order, open court hearings are matters of
public record and can be reported by the press. Such reports need to be fair and
balanced. They should not identify relatives or friends of people accused or convicted
of crime unless the reference to them is necessary for the full, fair and accurate
reporting of the crime or subsequent legal proceedings.

Bangladesh

22 code of Ethics:

1. The war of Liberation and its spirit and ideals must be sustained and uphold, and
anything repugnant to the war of Liberation and its spirit and ideals must not be
printed, published or disseminated in any manner in the press.

2. It is the responsibility of a journalist to keep people informed of issues, which

influence them or attract them. News and commentaries have to be prepared and
published showing full respect to the sensitivity and individual rights of the
newspaper readers as well as the people.

3. Truth and accuracy in respect of information available shall be ensured.

4. Information received from reliable sources may be published in public interest

induced by honest intention and if facts presented therein are considered trustworthy
by logical consideration, then the journalist has to be absolved of any adverse
consequence for publication of such news.

5. Reports based on rumours and not supported by facts shall be verified before
publication and if these are considered not suitable for publication, one should refrain
from publication of such news.

6. News items whose contents are dishonest and baseless or whose publication
hinges on breach of trust shall not be published.

7. Newspapers and journalists have the right to express their views strongly on
controversial issues but in doing so:

a. All true events and views shall be expressed clearly.

b. No event shall be distorted in order to influence the readers.

c. No news shall be distorted or slanted dishonestly either in the main commentary or

in the headline.

d. Views on main news shall be presented clearly and honestly.

8. The editor has the right to publish any advertisement in newspapers signed by
proper authorities, even if it is apparently against individual interest but not
slanderous or against public interest. If protest is made with regard to such
advertisement, the editor shall print and publish it without any cost.

9. Newspapers shall refrain from publishing any news, which is contemptuous of or

disrespectful to caste, creed, nationality and religion of any individual, community or
the country.

10. If a newspaper published any news against the interest and good name of any
individual, agency institution or group of people or any special category of people,
then the newspaper or journalist concerned should provide opportunity to the
aggrieved persons or institutions to publish their protest or answer quickly and
correctly within a reasonable period of time.

11. If the published news is damaging or is improper, then it should immediately be

withdrawn and corrigendum or explanation (and in special cases apology) should be
issued so that the impression (bad or erroneous) created by publication of such news
is removed.

12. Sensational and pulpy news shall not be published to augment the circulation of a
paper if such news is deemed vulgar, improper and against public interest.

13. Newspapers may adopt reasonable measures with a view to resisting crime and
corruption even if they may not in some cases be deemed acceptable to someone.

14. The extent and durability of the influence of newspapers is greater than other
media. For this reason a journalist writing for newspapers shall be particularly
cautious about the credibility and veracity of sources and shall also preserve his
source material in order to avoid risks.

15. It is the responsibility of the newspapers to publish the news of under-trial cases
at all stages and to publish the final judgment of the Court in order to reveal the
actual picture of issues relating to the case. But a journalist shall refrain from
publishing such comment or opinion as is likely to influence an under-trial case until
the final verdict is announced.

16. Rejoinder of the aggrieved party or parties directly involved with a news item
published in a newspaper shall be quickly published in the same newspaper on such
a page as would easily attract the attention of the readers; the editor, while editing
the rejoinder, shall not change its basic character.

17. If an aggrieved party sends a rejoinder for the damage done to him by an
editorial, it shall be the moral obligation of the editor to publish the corrigendum in the
same page and also express his/her regrets.

18. The publication of malicious news is far more immoral than that of wrong news
without malicious intent.

19. It is the moral duty of an editor to accept full and sole responsibility for all
publications in his/her newspaper.
20. A reporter while reporting on a case of financial or other irregularity shall, to the
best of his ability, ascertain the facts in his news item and must collect sufficient
material to justify the truth of the matter reported. He should adopt the necessary
precautions while investigating the case.

21. A responsible publication, which has not been contradicted, may be the source of
a news but it shall be a moral duty on the part of a journalist not to avoid
responsibility regarding the news on the pretext that it has been reprinted.

22. It is the responsibility of a journalist to highlight any news which projects

degeneration of moral values in our society but it is also the moral responsibility of a
journalist to maintain extra precaution in publishing any news involving man-woman
relationships or any report relating to women.

Egypt

First

a. The Concept of Journalism is tied to freedom of the press under the sole
supervision of the people.

b. Protecting the honour of the press is a right that cannot be separated from
defending the liberties that have been granted by the constitution for the individual
and the public. Defending the right of comradeship and its dignity among journalists
is inseparable from the honour of the press.

c. The activities of journalists should be based on telling the truth and on loyalty to
the country, the people, the land and the country’s history, freedom, honour, value,
principles and interests.

d. The truthful written word and the other kinds of press media belonging to it is the
responsibility of journalists. They are entitled to defend it as they defend the honour
of their profession on grounds of justice and supremacy of law. It is a trust that
should respect all liberties and virtues of the Egyptian family.

e. The protection of public opinion and public taste from harm is a journalistic sacred
duty.

f. The dignity of the journalist stems from the dignity of his country and profession.

Second

These six fundamental points of the honour of the press require commitment to the
following:

a. Journalists, senior or junior, are prohibited from harming each other personally,
depriving each other of their rights, not allowing each other to perform their
professional duties or forcing them to say or do anything that might affect their
journalistic and social character, including the right to keep their sources undisclosed.

b. The journalist should be committed to the rights of the citizen, above all his right to
information. He should not conceal from the citizens relevant facts he knows, nor
should he exaggerate them. He should present the facts complete without distortion.
This covers the citizen’s right to maintain his dignity and riot to harm his reputation by
a news item, drawing or picture with the aim of slandering or passing judgement oil
him before being sentenced by a court of law.

c. The journalist should not benefit from his job illegally or be biased in whatever he
publishes, to the extent that he might not be objective.

d. News and commentaries transmitted to citizens should be authentic and far from
reprisals, or the sowing of unjustified doubt. Published words in any exchange of
views should be honest

e. The journalist’s responsibility is complete, he should not throw it on the shoulders

of the editor-in-chief, claiming that he was only obeying orders.

Third

The journalist enjoys the following privileges:

a. The right to express his opinion and respect the opinions of others in accordance
with the law.

b. To protect himself from any material or moral aggression.

c. The right to obtain correct information that the nature of his job might require.

d. The right to disclose those who may deceive him by providing false news and
information and those who might deny their earlier words because of fear so that they
may be called to account before the authorities.

e. He should be insured against plagiarism.

f. The right to enjoy in full the rights guaranteed to him by laws, stipulations and
professional traditions.

Fourth

The implementation of this charter depends on the consideration that the principles of
this charter are a trust on the consciousness of the journalists.

Indonesia

1. The Indonesian journalist respects the public’s right to obtain truthful information.
2. The Indonesian journalist pursues the ethical path in obtaining and publishing
information as well as in identifying the source of information.

3. The Indonesian journalist respects the principle of presumption of innocence,

refrains from mixing facts with opinions, observes balance, always checks the
accuracy of any information, and avoids plagiarism.

4. The Indonesian journalist refrains from publishing information of false, slanderous,

sadistic or indecent nature and omits mentioning the identity of the victim of any
moral crime.

5. The Indonesian journalist does not accept bribes and refrains from abusing his/her
profession.

6. The Indonesian journalist has the Right of Refuse (the right not to reveal
confidential sources) and respects stipulations on embargo, background information,
and off-the-record statements as agreed upon.

7. The Indonesian journalist shall immediately retract and correct any erroneous and
inaccurate report and satisfy the Right of Reply.

Control on the observance of this code and application of sanctions for any breach of
this code are completely left to the discretion of the press community and shall be
implemented by the organization that is to be formed for that purpose.

Bandung, August 6, 1999.

On behalf of the respective Indonesian journalists organizations.

Interpretation of the Indonesian Journalist’s Code of Ethics

1. The Indonesian journalist respects the public’s right to obtain truthful information.

The devout and God-fearing Indonesian journalist reports and publishes information
factually and based on clear sources, does not hide facts and opinions that are
important and interesting and that the public should know as its right to get truthful,
accurate information.

Cases in point: corruption and manipulation at any institution, either government-run

or privately-owned; conspiracy to create unrest; epidemics hitting certain
regions/areas; foodstuff containing dangerous ingredients and/or is not “halal” for
consumption by the community/public, etc.

2. The Indonesian journalist pursues the ethical path in obtaining and publishing
information as well as in identifying the source of information.

The Indonesian journalist obtains information from any news source/interviewee, in-
cluding documents and photographs, through ways that are legally accountable and
in line with the principles of journalism, except in the case of investigative reporting.
3. The Indonesian journalist respects the principle of presumption of innocence,
refrains from mixing facts with opinions, observes balance, always checks the
accuracy of any information, and avoids plagiarism.

The Indonesian journalist in reporting and publishing information refrains from

making judgements or conclusions that blame anyone, particularly in cases still in a
legal process. The journalist shall not insert his/her personal opinion. In reporting and
publishing information it is advisable for the journalist to recheck the accuracy of the
information.

In reporting disputes or differences of opinion, the journalist shall observe balance in

devoting space/time to each side.

The Indonesian journalist refrains from publishing information of false, slanderous,

sadistic or indecent nature and omits mentioning the identity of the victim of any
moral crime.

4. The Indonesian journalist refrains from reporting or publishing information the

source and accuracy of which are unclear, rumors or unfounded partisan
accusations, information that blatantly exposes private parts of the body that can
arouse passion or invites public controversy. In cases of rapes/sexual harassment,
the jour-nalist shall not mention the identity of the victim, so as to respect and protect
the vic-tim’s honor.

5. The Indonesian journalist does not accept bribes and refrains from abusing his/her
profession.

The Indonesian journalist always guards the honor of his/her profession by not
accepting compensation in any form from any news source/interviewee that is related
to his/her journalistic duties, and by not abusing his/her profession for personal or
group’s gain.

6. The Indonesian journalist has the Right of Refuse, and respects stipulations on
embargo, background information, and off-the-record statements as agreed upon.

The Indonesian journalist protects any source that refuses to be named or identified.
On the basis of advance agreement, the wish of a source for postponement of the
publication of information he/she has given, must be respected. The same goes for
background information.

7. The Indonesian journalist shall immediately retract and correct any erroneous
news report and satisfy the Right of Reply.

The Indonesian journalist immediately retracts and corrects any erroneous and
inaccurate reporting or publication and at the same time offers apologies.

Corrections are placed on the same page as the erroneous or inaccurate information.

When a report offends a person or group of persons, the offended party must be
given ample opportunity to make clarifications.
Control on the observance of this code and application of sanctions for any breach of
this code are completely left to the discretion of the press community and shall be
implemented by the organization that is to be formed for that purpose.

International Central Asia Journalists

1. Self-sacrificingly protect freedom of speech and press, standing out against

censorship and all sorts of distortion of information.

2. Accurately, reasonably and responsibly distribute infor¬mation, exclusively based

on facts. Quickly and critically correct any mistakes should they appear.

3. Provide the wider public with as much information as possible (including a wide
range of photo, video and audio mate¬rials) concerning events of any social or
political importance to the people of Central Asia.

4. Avoid any perversion of the truth for the sake of commercial, advertising, clan,
political party or personal interests.

5. Avoid the use of printed and spoken word for the purposes of personal revenge,
pursuing opponents and satisfying personal ambitions.

6. Avoid publication of information comprising elements of race, sex, religious, ethnic

or political discrimination.

7. Avoid abusive use of information obtained during professional activities.

8. Avoid naming confidential sources of information.

9. Determine all sorts of plagiarism and uphold the protection of copyright.

10. Avoid any insults of people, who become the objects of journalist investigation,
strictly sticking to the principle of presumption of innocence.

11. Avoid any violations of privacy. Any issues subject to privacy can only be made
public if they are of public interest and concern.

12. Show international solidarity, standing out for the freedom of speech and press
as well as the rights of journalists and mass media.

13. Preserve the respectable image of journalism and avoid any assaults of
colleagues, strike a balance between fair competition and professional solidarity, help
colleagues in other countries of the region in fulfilling their professional duty.

14. Initiate the development of in-country and interstate legislation, aimed to protect
and develop the principles of the freedom of speech and press.
International – Principles for reporting ethnic tensions, Press Foundation of
Asia

1. Factual accuracy in a single story is no substitute for the total truth. A single story
which is factually accurate can nonetheless be misleading.

2. Prejudice may sell newspapers but newspapers should resist the temptation to
exploit human fears for commercial gains.

3. In mixed societies, editors should be aware of the danger of feeding by selective

reporting, common prejudicial stereotypes about groups. Generalisations based on
the behaviour of an individual or a small number of individuals are invariably unjust.

4. When there is potential for communal tension, there should be a constant effort to
investigate and expose the underlying causes.

5. Statistics can be used to excite passion. It should always be checked and

interpreted.

6. All stories of communal, racial or religious nature should be scrupulously ascribed

to their source. The authority of the source should be properly evaluated.

7. Advertisement of an unfair discriminating nature should not be accepted.

8. Editors have a responsibility for the tone and truth of the letters’ column.

9. Harm can be done by distortion in translation, especially in areas where several

languages are spoken. Words and phrases may have different connotations among
different groups.

10. It should be recognised that editorial comment, however benign, does not
necessarily compensate for the harm done by a misleading news report.

11. Journalists should always use cool and moderate language, especially in
headlines and also in display. No concession should be made to rhetoric. Lurid and
gory details and emotive references to past history should be avoided.

12. In mixed societies where extra-territorial loyalties are often alleged and are a
cause of tension, great care should be taken about stories imputing interference by a
foreign power unless it is clearly established.

13. The traditional newspaper standards of checking for accuracy should be applied
with even greater rigour in any stories involving racial, religious or communal groups.
Statements should not be accepted at face value from any source, including official
ones, and where necessary, these should be accompanied in the news columns by
corroboration and interpretation.
14. Unverified rumour is not the proper content of news columns especially when
there is great danger in speculation about violence.

15. When there is violence, particular care should be taken about publication of the
first incidents.

16. Every effort should be made to portray ethnic groups in other than conflict
situations.

17. When violence has broken out, the role of government in the supply of
information is crucial. There must be a continuous supply of information from this
source to prevent rumour, speculation and needless panic. In these circumstances, a
close working relationship between the Press and the Government is essential and
there should be no division of interest.

18. Casualty figures can cause chain reactions, and experience has shown that
official figures may be under or over estimated.

19. Pictures can distort reality. An unrepresentative picture may lie even more than a
news story and add to prejudices.

20. Journalists, particularly foreign correspondents, should not report crises without a
sufficient understanding of the background of events and trends.

21. In newspaper groups publishing in different languages, care should be taken that
they speak with the same voice on explosive issues and in times of tension. The
cumulative effect of differing coverage and opinion is deadly.

22. In mixed societies with underlying causes of tension – social, economic or

religious – newspapers and the broadcast media should initiate investigative and
interpretative stories with sociological content. These would spread understanding
and also help disperse an environment of resentment and suspicion which can turn a
minor incident into a riot.

* Unfortunately, MediaWise has been unable to discover which nine nations took part
in this conference. If anyone has this information, please let us know by e-mail so
that we can include it.

Malysia

Whereas the Malaysian Press reiterates its belief in the principles of Rukunegara and
the national aspirations contained therein;

• It acknowledges its role in contributing to the process of nation-building.

• It recognises its duty to contribute fully to the promotion of racial harmony and
national unity.
•It recognises communism, racialism and religious extremism as grave threats to
national well-being and security.

• It believes in a liberal, tolerant, democratic society and in the traditional role of a

free and responsible Press serving the people by faithfully reporting facts without fear
or favour.

• It believes that a credible press is an asset to the nation.

• It believes in upholding standards of social morality.

• It believes that there must be no restrictions on the entry of Malaysians into the
profession.

• It believes that the Press has a duty to contribute to the formation of public policy.

Whereas the Malaysian Press does hereby adhere to the following Canons of
Journalism:

1. The primary responsibility of the Malaysian journalist is to report facts accurately

and faithfully and to respect the right of the public to the truth.

2. In pursuant of this duty he shall uphold the fundamental freedom in the honest
collection of news and the right to fair comment and criticism.

3. He shall use only proper methods to obtain news, photographs/films and

documents.

4. It shall be his duty to rectify and publish information found to be incorrect.

5. He shall respect the confidentiality of the source of information.

6. He shall uphold standards of morality in the performance of his duties and shall
avoid plagiarism, calumny or slander, libel, sedition, unfounded accusations or
acceptance of bribe in any form.

7. He shall avoid publication of news or reports, communal or extremist in nature, or

contrary to the moral value of multiracial Malaysia.

8. It shall be incumbent upon him to understand public and national policies

pertaining to the profession.

South Africa

Reporting of news

The media shall be obliged to report news truthfully, accurately and objectively.
News shall be presented in the correct context and in a balanced manner, without
intentional or negligent departure from the facts whether by:

1. distortion, exaggeration or misrepresentation;

2. material omissions; or

3. summarisation.

Only what may reasonably be true having regard to the source of the news may be
presented as facts, and such facts shall be published fairly with due regard to context
and importance. Where a report is not based on facts or is founded on opinion,
allegation, rumour or supposition, it shall be presented in such a manner as to
indicate this clearly.

Where there is reason to doubt the correctness of a report and it is practicable to

verify the correctness thereof, I shall be verified. Where it has not been practicable to
verify the correctness of a report, this shall be mentioned in such report.

Where it subsequently appears that a published or broadcast report was incorrect in

a material respect, it shall be rectified spontaneously and without reservation or
delay. The correction shall be presented with a degree of prominence which is
adequate and fair so as readily to attract attention.

Reports, photographs or sketches relative to matters involving indecency or

obscenity shall be presented with due sensitivity towards the prevailing moral
climate. In particular, the press and television services shall avoid the publication of
obscene and lascivious matter.

The identity of rape victims and other victims of sexual violence shall not be
published or broadcast without the consent of the victim.

Comment

The media shall be entitled to comment upon or criticise any actions or events of
public importance, provided such comments or criticisms are fairly and honestly
made.

Comment shall be presented in such a manner that it appears clearly that it is

comment, and shall be made on facts truly stated or fairly indicated and referred to.

Comment shall be an honest expression of opinion, without malice or dishonest

motives, and shall take fair account of all available facts which are material to the
matter commented upon.

Special provisions relating to the press

Headlines and captions to pictures shall give a reasonable reflection of the contents
of the report or picture in question.

Posters shall not exaggerate and shall give a reasonable reflection of the contents of
the reports in question.
Privacy

In so far as both news and comment are concerned, the media shall exercise
exceptional care and consideration in matters involving the private lives and
concerns of individuals, bearing in mind that the right to privacy may be overridden
by a legitimate public interest.

Payment for articles

No payment shall be made for feature articles or programmes to persons engaged in

crime or other notorious misbehaviour.

General

Due care and responsibility shall be exercised by the media with regard to:

1. subjects that may cause enmity or give offence in racial, ethnic, religious or
cultural matters, or incite persons to contravene the law.

2. matters that may detrimentally affect the peace and good order, the safety and
defence of the Republic and its people;

3. the presentation of brutality, violence and atrocities.

UK

FAIRNESS

General

2. Broadcasters have a responsibility to avoid unfairness to individuals or

organisations features in programmes in particular through the use of inaccurate
information or distortion, for example, by the unfair selection or juxtaposition of
material taken out of context, whether specially recorded for a programme, or taken
from library or other sources. Broadcasters should avoid creating doubts on the
audience’s part as to what they are being shown if it could mislead the audience in a
way which would be unfair to those featured in the programme.

Dealing Fairly with Contributors

3. From the outset, broadcasters should ensure that all programme-makers, whether
in-house or independent, understand the need to be straightforward and fair in their
dealings with potential participants in factual programmes, in particular by making
clear, wherever practicable, the nature of the programme and its purpose and,
whenever appropriate, the nature of their contractual rights. Many potential
contributors will be unfamiliar with broadcasting and therefore may not share
assumptions about programme-making which broadcasters regard as obvious.
4. Contributors should dealt with fairly. Where they are invited to make a significant
contribution to a factual programme they should:

(i) be told what the programme is about;

(ii) be given a clear explanation of why they were contacted by the programme;

(iii) be told what kind of contribution they are expected to make – for example by way
of an interview or as part of a discussion.

(iv) be informed about the areas of questioning, and, wherever possible, the nature of
other likely contributions.

(v) be told whether their contribution is to be live or recorded, and, if recorded,

whether it is likely to be edited.

(vi) not be coached or pushed or improperly induced into saying anything which they
know not to be true or do not believe to be true;

(vii) whenever appropriate, be made aware of any significant changes to the

programme as it develops which might reasonable affect their original consent to
participate, and cause material unfairness; and

(viii) if offered an opportunity to preview the programme, be given clear information

about whether they will be able to effect any change in the programme.

The requirements of fairness in news reports pose particular challenges. The speed
of newsgathering means that it is not always possible to provide contributors to news
reports with all the information mentioned above. However, that does not absolve
journalists from treating contributors fairly or ensuring that the reports compiled meet
the needs of fairness and accuracy.

5. Broadcasters should take special care that the use of material originally recorded
for one purpose and then used in a later or different programme does not create
material unfairness or unwarrantably infringe privacy. The inclusion of such material
should be carefully considered, especially where this involves instances of personal
tragedy or reference to criminal matters. This applies as much to material obtained
from others as to material shot by the broadcaster itself.

Accuracy

7. Broadcasters should take special care when their programmes are capable of
adversely affecting the reputation of individuals, companies or other organisations.
Broadcasters should take all reasonable care to satisfy themselves that all material
facts have been considered before transmission and so far as possible are fairly
presented.

8. Broadcasters should also be alert to the danger of unsubstantiated allegations

being made by participants to live ‘phone-ins and discussion programmes and
ensure that presenters are briefed accordingly.
9. Contemporary drama which is based on the lives and experience of real people or
organisations should seek to convey them fairly. It should be made clear in advance
to the audience whether the drama is loosely based on the events it describes or
rather purports to be an accurate account of what happened. In neither case should
drama distort the verifiable facts in a way which is unfair to anyone with a direct
interest in the programme. Care should also be taken not to convey through
characterisation, or casting, or on-air promotion, an unfair impression of the
characters on whom the drama is based.

Correction and apology

10. Whenever the broadcaster recognises that a broadcast has been unfair, if the
person affected so wishes, it should be corrected promptly and with due prominence
unless there are compelling legal reasons not to do so. An apology should also be
broadcast whenever appropriate.

Opportunity to contribute

11. When a programme alleges wrong-doing or incompetence, or contains a

damaging critique of an individual or organisation, those criticised should normally be
given an appropriate and timely opportunity to respond to or comment on the
arguments and evidence contained within the programme.

Non-Participation

12. Anyone has the right to refuse to participate in a programme, but the refusal of an
individual or organisation to take part should not normally prevent the programme
from going ahead. However, where an individual or organisation is mentioned or
discussed in their absence, care should be taken to ensure that their views are not
misrepresented.(see also paragraph 25.)

Deception

13. Factual programme-makers should not normally obtain or seek information or

pictures through misrepresentation or deception, except where the disclosure is
reasonably believed to serve an overriding public interest (see also paragraphs 14,
16, 18, 23, 26, 28, 31, 32, 33) and the material cannot reasonably be obtained by
other means. Where the use of deception is judged permissible, it should always be
proportionate to the alleged wrong-doing and should wherever possible avoid the
encouragement of conduct which might not have occurred at all but for the
intervention of the programme-maker. Prior editorial approval at the most senior
editorial levels within the broadcasting organisation should be obtained for such
methods. The programme should also make clear to the audience the means used to
obtain access to the information, unless this places sources at risk.

PRIVACY

General

14. The line to be drawn between the public’s right to information and the citizen’s
right to privacy can sometimes be a fine one. In considering complaints about the
unwarranted infringement of privacy, the Commission will therefore address itself to
two distinct questions:

First, has there been an infringement of privacy ? Second, if so, was it warranted ?

An infringement of privacy has to be justified by an overriding public interest in

disclosure of the information. This would include revealing or detecting crime or
disreputable behaviour, protecting public health or safety, exposing misleading
claims made by individuals or organisations, or disclosing significant incompetence in
public office. Moreover, the means of obtaining the information must be proportionate
to the matter under investigation.

15. Privacy can be infringed during the obtaining of material for a programme, even if
none of it is broadcast, as well as in the way in which material is used within the
programme.

16. For much of the time, the private lives of most people are of no legitimate public
interest. It is important that when, for a short time, people are caught up, however
involuntarily, in events which have a place in the news, their situation is not abused
either at the time or in later programmes which revisit those events. When
broadcasters are covering events in public places, they should ensure that the words
spoken or images shown are sufficiently in the public domain to justify their broadcast
without the consent of the individuals concerned. When filming or recording in
institutions, organisations or agencies where permission has been given by the
relevant authority or management, broadcasters are under no obligation to seek the
individual consent of employees or others whose appearance is incidental or where
they are essentially anonymous members of the general public. However, in clearly
sensitive situations in places such as hospitals or prisons or police stations, individual
consent should normally be obtained unless their identity has been concealed.
Broadcasters should take similar care with material recorded by CCTV cameras to
ensure identifiable individuals are treated fairly. Any exceptions to the requirement of
individual consent would have to be justified by an overriding public interest.

17. People in the public eye, either through the position they hold or the publicity they
attract, are in a special position. However, not all matters which interest the public
are in the public interest. Even when personal matters become the proper subject of
enquiry, people in the public eye or their immediate family or friends do not forfeit the
right to privacy, though there may be occasions when private behaviour raises
broader public issues either through the nature of the behaviour itself or by the
consequences of its becoming widely known. But any information broadcast should
be significant as well as trued. The location of a person’s home or family should not
normally be revealed unless strictly relevant to the behaviour under investigation.

The Use of Hidden Microphones and Cameras

18. The use of secret recording should only be considered where it is necessary to
the credibility and authenticity of the story, as the use of hidden recording techniques
can be unfair to those recorded as well as infringe their privacy. In seeking to
determine whether an infringement of privacy is warranted, the Commission will
consider the following guiding principles.

(i) Normally, broadcasters on location should operate only in public where they can
be seen. Where recording does take place secretly in public places, the words or
imaged recorded should serve an overriding public interest. to justify:

* the decision to gather the material;

* the actual recording;

* the broadcast.

(ii) An unattended recording device should not be left on private property without the
full and informed consent of the occupiers or their agent unless seeking permission
might frustrate the investigation by the programme-makers of matters of an
overriding public interest.

(iii) The open and apparent use of cameras or recording devices on both public and
private property, when the subject is on private property, must be appropriate to the
importance or nature of the story. The broadcaster should not intrude unnecessarily
on private behaviour.

19. When broadcasting material obtained secretly, whether in public or on private

property, broadcasters should take care not to infringe the privacy of bystanders who
may be caught inadvertently in the recording. Wherever it is clear that unfairness
might otherwise be caused, the identity of innocent parties should be obscured.

20. Broadcasters should apply the same rules to material shot secretly, by others as
they do to their own recordings in taking the decision whether to broadcast the
material.

21. When secret recording is undertaken as part of an entertainment programme,

care should also be taken to prevent the unwarranted infringement of privacy. Those
who are the subjects of a recorded deception should be asked to give their consent
before the material is broadcast. If they become aware of the recording and ask for it
to stop, their wishes should be respected. In a live broadcast, especial care should
be taken to avoid offence to the individuals concerned.

Telephone Calls

22. Broadcasters should normally identify themselves to telephone interviewees from

the outset, or seek agreement from the other party, if they wish to broadcast a
recording of a telephone call between the broadcaster and the other party.

23. If factual programme-makers take someone by surprise by recording a call for

broadcast purposes without any prior warning, it is the equivalent of door-stepping
(see paragraphs 25, 26, 27) and similar rules apply. Such approaches should only
take place where there is reason to believe that there is an overriding public interest
and the subject has refuse to respond to reasonable requests for interview, or has a
history of such failure or refusal, or there is good reason to believe that the
investigation will be frustrated if the subject is approached openly.

24. Other recordings of telephone conversations for broadcast purposes made with
the agreement of one of the parties but without the knowledge of the other party are
to be assess by the criteria which apply to secret recording on private property. (See
paragraph 18.)

Door-stepping

25. People who are currently in the news cannot reasonably object to being
questioned and recorded by the media when in public places. The questions should
be fair even if they are unwelcome. If the approach is made by telephone, the
broadcaster should make clear who is calling and for what purpose. Nevertheless,
even those who are in the news have the right to make no comment or to refuse to
appear in a broadcast. Any relevant broadcast should make clear that a person has
chosen not to appear and mention such person’s explanation, if not to do so could be
materially unfair. (See also paragraph 12.)

26. Outside the daily news context, different considerations apply. But surprise can
be a legitimate device to elicit the truth especially when dealing with matters where
there is an overriding public interest in investigation and disclosure. Door-stepping in
these circumstances may be legitimate where there has been repeated refusal to
grant an interview (or a history of such refusals) or the risk exists that a protagonist
might disappear.

27. Repeated attempts to take pictures or to obtain an interview when consent has
been refused can, however, constitute an unwarranted infringement of privacy and
can also constitute unfairness. Care must also be taken not to make it easy to locate
or identify the refuser’s address unless it is strictly relevant to the behaviour under
investigation and there is an overriding public interest.

Suffering and Distress

28. Broadcasters should not add to the distress of people caught up in emergencies
or suffering a personal tragedy. People in a state of distress must not be put under
any pressure to provide interviews. The mere fact that grieving people have been
named or suggested for interview by the police or other authorities does not justify
the use of material which infringes their privacy or is distressing. Such use if justified
only if an overriding public interest is served. Broadcasters should take care not to
reveal the identity of a person who has died, or victims of accidents or violent crimes
unless and until it is clear that the next of kin have been informed.

29. Programme-makers should also be sensitive to the possibility of causing

additional anxiety or distress when filming or recording people who are already
extremely upset or under stress, for example at funerals or in hospitals. Normally,
prior consent should be obtained from the family or their agents.

*At funerals, programme-makers should respect their requests to withdraw.

* No attempt should be made to enter wards or other places of treatment in hospitals
without clear and informed authorisation from the medical staff and the individuals
concerned or those acting on their behalf.

Broadcasters should also respect any reasonable arrangements made by the

emergency services to supervise media access to victims of crime or accident or
disaster, or their relatives, in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy.

30. Broadcasters should ask themselves whether the repeated use of traumatic
library material is justified if it features identifiable people who are still alive or who
have died recently.

Re-Visiting Past Events

31. Programmes intended to examine past events involving trauma to individuals,

including crime, should try to minimise the potential distress to surviving victims or
surviving relatives in re-telling the story. So far as is reasonably practicable, surviving
victims or the immediate families of those whose experience is to feature in the
programme, should be informed of the programme’s plans and its intended
transmission. Failure to do this might be deemed an unwarranted infringement of
privacy, even if the events or material to be broadcast have been in the public
domain in the past.

Children

32. Children’s vulnerability must be a prime concern for broadcasters. They do not
lose their rights to privacy because of the fame or notoriety of their parents or
because of events in their schools. Care should be taken that a child’s gullibility or
trust is not abused. They should not be questioned about private family matters or
ask for views on matters likely to be beyond their capacity to answer properly.
Consent from parents or those in loco parentis should normally be obtained before
interviewing children under 16 matters of significance. Where consent has not been
obtained or actually refused, any decision to go ahead can only be justified if the item
is of overriding public interest and the child’s appearance is absolutely necessary.

Similarly, children under 16 involved in police enquiries or court proceedings relating

to sexual offences should not be identified or identifiable in news or other
programmes.

Agency Operations

33. Broadcasters should be clear about the terms and conditions upon which they
are granted access to police operations and those of other law enforcement
agencies, emergency services or bodies working directly with vulnerable people.
When accompanying such operations, crews should identify as soon as practicable
for whom they are working and what they are doing. If asked to stop filming on
private premises by the property owner or occupier, or to leave, they should do so
unless there is an overriding public interest. Bystanders caught on cameral should
have their identities obscured, where unfairness might arise.
USA

A Journalist’s Creed by Walter Williams, first dean of the University of Missouri

Journalism School, written around 1905.

I believe in the profession of journalism.

I believe that the public journal is a public trust; that all connected with it are, to the
full measure of their responsibility, trustees for the public; that observance of a lesser
service than the public service is betrayal of this trust.

I believe that clear thinking and clear statement, accuracy, and fairness, are
fundamental to good journalism.

I believe that a journalist should write only what he holds in his heart to be true.

I believe that suppression of the news, for any consideration other than the welfare of
society, is indefensible.

I believe that no one should write as a journalist what he would not say as a
gentleman, that bribery by one’s own pocketbook is as much to be avoided as bribery
by the pocketbook of another; that individual responsibility may not be escaped by
pleading another’s instructions or another’s dividends.

I believe that advertising, news and editorial columns should alike serve the best
interests of the readers; that a single standard of helpful truth and cleanness should
prevail for all; that the supreme test of good journalism is the measure of its public
service.

I believe that the journalism which succeeds best – and best deserves success –
fears God and honors man; is stoutly independent, unmoved by pride of opinion or
greed of power, constructive, tolerant but never careless, self-contained, patient,
always respectful of its readers but always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice,
is unswayed by the appeal of privilege or the clamor of the mob, seeks to give every
man a chance, and, as far as law and honest wage and recognition of human
brotherhood can make it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic while sincerely
promoting international good will and cementing world comradeship, is a journalism
of humanity, of and for today’s world.

USA American Society of News Editors

ARTICLE I – Responsibility.
The primary purpose of gathering and distributing news and opinion is to serve the
general welfare by informing the people and enabling them to make judgments on
the isssues of the time. Newspapermen and women who abuse the power of their
professional role for selfish motives or unworthy purposes are faithless to that public
trust. The American press was made free not just to inform or just to serve as a
forum for debate but also to bring an independent scrutiny to bear on the forces of
power in the society, including the conduct of official power at all levels of
government.

ARTICLE Il – Freedom of the Press.

Freedom of the press belongs to the people. It must be defended against

encroachment or assault from any quarter, public or private, Journalists must be
constantly alert to see that the public’s business is conducted in public. They must
be vigilant against all who would exploit the press for selfish purposes,

ARTICLE III – Independence.

Journalists must avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety as well as any
conflict of interest or the appearance of conflict. They should neither accept anything
nor pursue any activity that might compromise or seem to compromise their integrity.

ARTICLE IV – Truth and Accuracy.

Good faith with the reader is the foundation of good journalism, Every effort must be
made to assure that the news consent is accurate, free from bias and in context and
that all sides are presented fairly, Editorials, analytical articles and commentary
should be held to the same standards of accuracy with respect to facts as news
reports. Significant errors of fact, as well as errors of omission, should be corrected
promptly and prominently,

ARTICLE V – lmpartiality.

To be impartial does not require the press to be unquestioning or to refrain from

editorial expression. Sound practice, however, demands a clear distinction for the
reader between news reports and opinion, Articles that contain opinion or personal
interpretation should be clearly identified,

ARTICLE VI – Fair Play.

Journalists should respect the rights of people involved in the news, observe the
common standards of decency and stand accountable to the public for the failings
and accuracy of their news reports. Persons publicly accused should be given the
earliest opportunity to respond, Pledges of confidentiality to news sources must be
honored at ail costs, and therefore should not be given lightly, Unless there is clear
and pressing need to maintain confidences, sources of information should be
identified.

These principles are intended to preserve, protect and strengthen the bond of trust
and respect between American journalists and the American people, a bond that is
essential to sustain the grant of freedom entrusted to both by the nation’s founders.
 F/A F/B

F/E
Dear All. A brief meeting of Hammad Shammimi & Secretary Food (Mr. Populzai)

held today (21.01.2020) with SAPM (Mr. Arbab Shehzad). Instead of fetching any

share, the meeting resulted in delivery of LOWEST demand on behalf of Sectt/OMG

officers to the PMO, which is quite harmful for our case in FST. And that to

WITHOUT active/across the board consultation among Sectt/OMG officers. Briefly

the demand given today is: 42 additional seats (BS-19), forty (BS-20), 11 (SJS), NO

seat for Addl Secy, ONLY 02 additions to Secretary. Again: this will spoil our case in

FST. We should demand all seats (BS-19), all seats (BS-20) in view of Section 9 of

CSA; all seats (SJS), 17 seats (Addl Secy), 05 (Spl Secy) & 12 (Secretary) keeping in

view cadre strength of OMG/SG which is 958 officers whereas PAS has cadre

strength of 855 officers and they have plenty of opportunities of promotion in their

own cadre i.e. APUG/post in the provinces. THEREFORE, A GENERAL MEETING

OF ASSOCIATION MAY BE CALLED TO DISCUSS AND ARRIVE AT A

CONSENSES AS TO WHAT WE SHOULD DEMAND, IF SOMEBODY IS WILLING

TO NEGOTIATE.
House No. 37, Street No. 10, Category-II, Sector I-8/1,
Islamabad.

1. White Wash/Paint
2. Replacement of Fan (4) (ceiling)
3. Repairment of Kitchen Sink
4. Replacment of three doors
5. Tiles in Car Porch
6. Repair of Wardrobes (2)
House 37, street 10, cat 2, I-8/1

Bathroom flush systems.

1 bath times
Switch board (good quality)
Fancy bulb holders
Darwazon ki jaalian
Seepage protection
White wash / Paint /cement repair
4 ceiling fans replacement
Replacement of kitchen sink
Replacement of 3 doors
Tiles in car porch
Repair of wardrobes 2 / 1 new wardrobe
Servant sink and nalka.
Gate globes.
Carpoorch shade extension.
Shade in front of dining
Kitchen nakla, 2 nalka.
 OFFICE OF THE ADDITIONAL SECRETARY

As telephonically directed by the Deputy Secretary (Admn), the

file (No.F.1(4)/2013-PA-Coord) is duly forwarded to Section Officer (Coord) for
further necessary action, please.

(KAMRAN KHAN)
PS to Additional Secretary
24th April, 2020
Section Officer (Coord)