ECP wants tighter control over sharing of info with media
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Monday, through a circular, made an attempt to have tighter control over the practice of free sharing of information with the media.
Interestingly, the circular contained a glaring spelling mistake: instead of writing ‘false media reports’, ‘falls media reports’ was typed in it.
The circular says, “It has been observed that lot of falls/ confusing media reports are appearing in both print and electronic media, which is creating confusion and damaging the image of ECP. It is a matter of concern to note that sources of such kind of reports are officers/ officials of the ECP.”
To streamline the matters, it is suggested that all DGs/ heads of wings may be directed to:
1) Ensure that a copy of all the information/ letters/ directives/ decisions which has been endorsed to the PR Wing may immediately be provided on daily basis in both hard and soft format (if possible) after approval,
2) Ensure that deputy directors/ assistant directors and their staff working under them should not discuss or share any information with the media either in person or through cell phone or e-mail etc.
3) Furthermore, only the worthy secretary/ spokesperson or any authorised officer in consultation with PR Wing will brief the media after conclusion of any meeting, if required.
4) In cases, where rebuttal/ contradiction is required, all the heads will be bound to provide the relevant information to the PR Wing the after approval of competent authority.
5) It is, therefore, reiterated that privacy of information shall be respected as such all officers should strictly follow the above guidelines in letter and spirit and facilitate the flow of information through PR Wing only.
The News
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