Curbs on media against country’s interests
ISLAMABAD: Curbs on media are against the interest of Pakistan and contradict the progress made by the country during the last few years towards a democratic polity, said US Press Attaché Elizabeth O Colton while addressing the concluding ceremony of a two-day journalism workshop on Tuesday.
“Any extreme and unreasonable curbs on free media are clearly not in Pakistan’s best interest, and contradict the progress Pakistan has made towards becoming a fully democratic society,” she added.
The workshop on ‘Covering local and national elections’ was held at the US Education Foundation and conducted by veteran journalist Arnold R Isaccs, who has a vast experience of conducting training workshops.
Colton said media plays an important and constructive role in holding free and fair elections and the US was holding training for media personnel to increase their capacity for covering elections in Pakistan.
“The US Embassy is hosting a series of workshops throughout the country from October 28 to November 9 on the subject of election coverage for Pakistani journalists,” she said.
She said journalism is a challenging profession in all societies and there was a need to encourage professionalism among newcomers. Journalists should be offered training for fair, accurate and balanced reporting, she added.
Arnold R Isaacs said a free press always plays an important role in a democratic society but it becomes more important during elections.
Later, certificates were distributed among over 20 journalists, belonging to various national dailies and wire services, attending the workshop.
Source: Daily Times
Date:11/7/2007
” 
” 
” 
” 
” 
