TV for live coverage of NA proceedings
ISLAMABAD – National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain on May 26 said a separate television channel would be set up for live coverage of proceedings of the Assembly.
He said this while addressing a one-day training workshop for journalists on parliamentary reporting organized by Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club in collaboration with the National Assembly.
The Speaker said presently, Pakistan Television is covering the proceedings of the Assembly.
He, however, pointed out that other television channels have been allowed to cover various meetings in the Parliament particularly the dialogue process on Legal Framework Order (LFO).
“If any private television channel applies for the coverage of Assembly’s proceeding, its request would be considered,” he added.
Chaudhry Amir Hussain said the print media is being provided better facilities for the prompt and accurate coverage of the Assembly’s proceeding.
Eulogizing the role of parliamentary reporting, he said journalists could carry out an important service for strengthening democratic institutions in the country.
Responding to a question, he agreed that a committee of journalists covering the parliament should be set up to improve the press coverage of the Parliament.
About production order of Javed Hashmi in the Assembly, he said in the past, only those members involved in murder or corruption cases were brought in the Assembly.
But, Hashmi has been sentenced imprisonment on account of mutiny and involvement of anti-state activities, he added.
Replying to a question about entry of journalists in the Parliament, he said they should display identity cards issued by their respective organizations for convenience of security staff.
Addressing the seminar, former Speaker, National Assembly, Gohar Ayub Khan said the role of journalists covering parliament’s proceeding should be as a torch bearer.
“They could set good guidelines in accordance with the traditions and customs of the Parliament,” he added.
He opined the press could activate the Parliament with its good coverage.
Leader of the House in the Senate, Wasim Sajjad underlined the need of accurate reporting of Parliament’s proceeding.
The journalists could highlight their comments in a separate column, he added.
Later, Chaudhry Amir Hussain, Gohar Ayub and Wasim Sajjad distributed certificates among participants of the seminar.
Source: The Nation
Date:5/27/2004
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