ISLAMABAD, July 15: Speakers at the forum on the safety and security of journalists stressed for developing a code of ethics by the media houses and the government to improve standards of journalism in Pakistan.

Addressed by senior journalists, the panel discussion was moderated by Ambassador Lars Gunnar Wigemark, head of the European Union delegation to Pakistan, on Friday.

He said journalists were working in dangerous conditions in Pakistan, adding that they face threats both in conflict and settled areas. The envoy said political groups and organised crime were involved in creating insecurity for journalists.

Panelists Zahid Hussian, Mazhar Abbas, Ahmed Rashid and Haroon Rashid said all stakeholders, including security agencies, militants, religious and political parties, are threatening journalists. They said it was becoming increasingly difficult for journalists to freely report and cover events in the country. Compared to threats a decade back, they said now families have also been threatened.

Mr Abbas said apart from intelligence agencies, criminal gangs have become partners with the political groups and react strongly whenever any of their wrongdoing is exposed.

He regretted that the managements of media houses and the government were not serious in providing security and safety to journalists. For reporting in conflict areas, he said nobody without formal training should be sent on such assignments.

Mr Abbas said it was responsibility of the management to provide insurance coverage, bullet proof jackets and related equipments to journalists reporting from conflict areas. “Around 80 per cent of those killed during reporting in conflict areas were not even formal employees of newspapers or channels.”

Other speakers also criticised managements of newspapers and news channels for “exploitative behaviour”.

Senior journalist Zahid Hussian said Pakistan needed a code of ethics for media, which should be followed by all.

Columnist Haroon Rashid said due to lack of ethics more and more reporters are getting into risky situations. He added that in most of the newspapers and news channels, role of editors is limited and the owners are involved in daily operational matters.

Regrettably, he said in some media houses marketing managers are more influential than editors. “ Masala culture is dominating talk shows due to race to improve ratings.”

The participants also talked about financial problems of journalists but they also agreed that there is a need of media's accountability, and called for a helpline or platform where complaints against unethical practices of journalists could be registered.

However, the panelists said such a forum can only be established with the help of the government.

“There are 14 different laws that can lead journalists even to death sentence for filing story related to official information. Ethical practice can only be implemented if more doors are opened and obtaining information is made transparent,” Mazhar Abbas said.