Corporate sector dominating media: Sethi
ISLAMABAD, August 13 2006: The corporate sector is wielding increasing influence over the media and affecting journalistic norms, said Najam Sethi, the editor of Daily Times, at the International Judicial Conference on Saturday (Aug 12). “Gone are the days of independent editors. Now the corporate sector is taking over everywhere and journalistic norms are changing,” Mr Sethi said in response to a question following his talk titled ‘The role of media in dispensation of justice’. He said some journalists had “sold their souls for free plots, foreign trips and other perks and privileges”. He praised the chief justice of Pakistan for playing a pro-active role in the dispensation of justice, particularly in human rights cases, and added that the media is also highlighting social injustices in the country.
Mr Sethi stressed the need for the media to project the truth, citing a George Orwell quotation: “During times of universal deceit, carrying the truth is revolutionary.” He said that three law commissions had recommended amendment or repeal of discriminatory laws and successive governments had failed to do this. The media deserved credit for paving the ground for the amendment of these laws by raising public awareness. He also mentioned the recent legislation allowing bail to under-trial women prisoners. He said the media had projected the case of Mukhtar Mai not only in Pakistan but also in the world. Columnist Ayaz Amir, another speaker at the session, said that generals and judges had undermined and derailed democracy Pakistan.
“Every time a military coup takes place or the assemblies are dissolved, the usurpers rush to the superior courts seeking validation of their unconstitutional step and rule and the courts are gracious enough to validate their step,” he said. “If judges cannot stop dictatorship then why do they collaborate with them? … the doctrine of necessity has always been misused in our judicial history.” Former senator Fasih Iqbal said journalists were put in detention and awarded the punishment of lashes in their pursuit of truth. He said the media could play a far greater role in dispensation of justice if it were allowed to work in a free and fair manner. Former senator Shafqat Mehmud also addressed the session. Chief Justice of Indonesia Dr Bagir Manan and Justice (r) AM Ahmadi of India jointly presided over the session. staff report
Source: Daily Times
Date:8/13/2006
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