Hyderabad journalists demand access to official record
HYDERABAD- Local journalists and intellectuals of Sindh have demanded of the government to enact “Freedom of Information Ordinance”, enabling the journalists to have an access to the official record.
At an informal dialogue at the Hyderabad Press Club (HPC) to mark the World Press Freedom Day, the journalists and intellectuals discussed obstacles in the way of professional conduct of the journalists and parameters of the freedom of press.
On the occasion, HPC President Lala Rehman Samoon said the journalists must prepare themselves for working under prevailing circumstances. “Beside working for the betterment of the public, journalists should follow the code of ethics,” he said adding that it was a good sign that at least one Sindhi daily had started “self-accountability” process, while taking cognisance of the complaints against the journalists. He opined that other newspapers should also follow this example by establishing “accountability desk” for redressal of the complaints of the readers and the other members of the society.
Qazi Mohammad Ali, Editor, Daily Kawish, said: “The freedom of press, does not have any fixed boundaries or parameters, besides there must be checks and balances.” He said the journalists were part and parcel of the society and there were different kinds of people in this profession.
Ali Hassan, a former HPC president underlined the need for realisation of the prevailing situation, which he said, was essential before talking about the freedom of press. He said the journalists should do their work with dedication and commitment was needed for the fulfillment of professional responsibilities.
Chairman Sindh Text Book Board Hameed Sindhi, Suhail Sangi, Parvano Bhatti, Niaz Panhwar, Rashid Rajar, Naz Sehto, lqbal Mallah, Akhtar Baloch, Ansar Naqvj, Aftab Ahmed, Abdul Fatah Doudpota and others took part in the discussion.
The participants of the dialogue programme condemned the murder of Badin-based journalist Soofi Khan Mohammad and demanded inquiry into the matter.
Earlier, the journalists, newspaper owners, editors and representatives of various Sindhi, Urdu and English dailies organised a walk to mark the day. The walk started from Hyderabad Press Club (HPC) and while marching through Meeran Mohammad Shah Road returned back to the HPC.
Source: The News
Date:5/4/2000
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