Day: August 1, 2004

PESHAWAR – Participants of a consultation on July 31 agreed on the introduction of a gender sensitive code of ethics for print media to end negative portrayal of women.

The consultation, arranged by the Uks research centre on women and media, was attended by journalists who discussed the proposed code prepared by the same organization.

Uks director Tasneem Ahmar highlighted salient features of the code which states that judgmental words and phrases should not be used in news reports and only facts should be given.

The participants shared their experiences in various cases wherein women were declared of bad character by different papers without waiting for the court’s verdict.

The code suggests that advertisements from quacks offering potency drugs, etc., should not be published. It was proposed that the code should be shared with members of major press clubs in the country before giving a final shape to it.

Source: Dawn

Date:8/1/2004

LAHORE – Wife of a local journalist was found stabbed to death at his residence in Sabzazar area on July 1.

Muneeb-ul-Haq, journalist in an Urdu daily, told the Police that when he returned home from office at around 3:00 am, he found his wife Marva Butt (35) lying dead in a pool of blood on the bedroom floor.

He told Police that they had no enmity with anyone. The deceased was twice married before marrying Muneeb-ul-Haq. The couple was residing in a rented house since the last two years. Police also interrogated Muneeb-ul-Haq and the owner of the house.

Police have registered a case against unknown assailants and the dead body has been shifted to the morgue for autopsy.

Source: The Nation

Date:8/1/2004