State regulation or code

Muhammad Aftab Alam  August 30, 2015
All Codes of Conducts should be voluntary and self-regulatory tools
Pakistan is a conflict-stricken country. After less-than-professional coverage of every incident of terrorism, major accidents, floods, elections and perceived objectionable entertainment programmes, the demand emerges for a ‘code of conduct’ for the media.

These demands are made by various quarters, including politicians, civil society, religious groups, and state institutions.
For the first time in 2012, this demand was raised by journalists and media anchors themselves when allegations of corruption and bribery were hurled against them. Hamid Mir and Absar Alam approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan to seek judicial intervention to help do an overhauling of the way media operates, including a professional CoC for the media.

The curious case of Ayyan Ali and sexism in Pakistani media

The coverage of model Ayyan Ali’s arrest and her subsequent trial perhaps is the best case study for understanding the depth — or its complete lack thereof — of the seriousness with which women are (man)handled by the media.

Ayyan Ali Model from Pakistan

As Ayyan Ali’s wardrobe and her make-up were discussed at length, the coverage of her trial remained conspicuously missing from the television screens.

When it comes to women and their portrayal, the sins of commission of the mainstream Pakistani media are just as grave as the sins of omission.