A seminar today in Lahore, India, at the School of Media and Communication Studies of the University of Central Punjab, focused on the role of media in creating religious tolerance. Representatives of media and members of the scholastic and religious communities attended to propose guidelines for media reporting on religion.
Emanueal Sarfraz, coordinating editor for The Nation, one of Pakistan's leading English-language daily newspapers, opened the seminar stating that religion does not teach hostility toward others but rather strives for harmony.
Qayyum Nizami, senior columnist of the daily online news site Nawa-e-Waqt, spoke of the vital and influential role media plays in creating interfaith harmony and the importance of upholding the original values of religion, not deviating toward hatred.
Columnist, senior analyst and group editor of 92 News, Irshad Ahmed Arif pointed to instances of media failing to promote tolerance in their reporting on religion and religious issues.
The theme of the seminar was that a code of media ethics is a vital necessity in today’s world, where an irresponsible, false or tainted rendition of “news” can create widespread, violent repercussions.
For a code providing guidelines for media in their coverage of religion, read or download Charter on Journalistic Ethics in Relation to Respect for Religion or Belief.