ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has asked the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to ensure non-discriminatory coverage to election campaigns and press conferences of all political parties.

In a letter to the Pemra chairman, PPP secretary general and former Senate chairman Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said that a press conference was held at Bilawal House, Lahore, on Tuesday evening. It was addressed by the PPP’s senior leadership, but not a single TV channel covered it, although representatives of all private channels were there.

Those who addressed the press conference included Nayyar Bukhari, former senator Farhatullah Babar, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Sherry Rehman, former opposition leader in the Senate Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, former minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, Chaudhry Manzoor and Murad Ali Shah.

Mr Bukhari said they all had been either part of parliament or a parliamentarian. On the other hand, he regretted, even spokespersons for other parties were being given live coverage.

Citing the July 2 ECP notification regarding the code of conduct for the media for elections, he said its clause b(ii) stated that “all media houses should also follow professional standard and strive for accuracy, balance and impartiality”.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2018