Speaking at a seminar organised by the Press Council, Pakistan and the Lahore Bar Association on “Court Reporting and Media Ethics” at the Punjab Judicial Academy, Chief Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed said the purpose of contempt of court is only to ensure implementation of court orders. He added, “This is not a divine law, but has been made after years of experiences only to remove hurdles in the way of justice.”
Addressing the participants, Justice Saeed was of the view that public interest had always been a prime reason for the introduction of any law. He said the time had gone when judgments were announced in closed doors. “Now the doors of courts are open for all and judgments are being published by the media,” he said. He added, “Justice can only be dispensed with if trial is open to all. Accused are punished with lashes in closed-door proceedings.” He said access to information was a fundamental right of every citizen. However, the implementation of this right still required a soft mechanism to get information.
About the media’s role in Pakistan, he said the freedom being enjoyed by the media was a result of countless sacrifices made by journalists. He regretted that journalists were punished with lashes, sent to jail, and even killed for pursuing their fundamental rights in this country. He concluded saying, “Sometimes the media goes beyond its limits. However, criticism by the media is acceptable to me but not the graveyard-like silence.”
Eminent journalists and columnists who shared their knowledge and experiences with the participants included Ziauddin, Mujeebur Rehman Shami, Irfan Siddiqui, and Saeed Aasi. Press Council Chairman Raja Shafqat Abbassi also spoke on the occasion.
The academy Director-General, Justice (R) Tanvir Ahmed Khan and LBA President Zulfiqar Chaudhry also spoke on the occasion.