KARACHI: The Standing Committee of the Pakistan Newspaper Editors Conference approved a code of honour for the members at a four-hour sitting on Friday [July 15] evening, which concluded its two-day session presided over by Mr Altaf Husain. … The following is the code adopted by the Committee:

1. Nothing shall be published in news or views which may injure the security or the stability of the state. 2. Nothing shall be published which may lower the morale of the people and create in them alarm and despondency. 3. The administration of law and justice shall not be brought into contempt or ridicule and nothing shall be published which lowers the prestige of the judiciary. 4. State secrets shall not be divulged when their publication is likely to injure the interests of the State. 5. Attacks shall not be made on foreign States with which Pakistan is on terms of friendship but fair criticism of foreign governments is permissible. 6. Nothing shall be published which brings into contempt and ridicule the defence forces and members of foreign diplomatic services.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2024