A consultative meeting on “Prosecution and News Reporting ´ Role of Media” was held at Sargodha Press Club on Thursday, May 08– 2014. The meeting was organized in partnership between CRSS and Sargodha Press Club as part of an advocacy campaign for the Support to Punjab Prosecution Service (SPPS) project.

President Press Club Sargodha Naeem Akhtar Khan, Resident Editor Daily Tajarat Malik Muhammad Mouzam, President Sargodha Bar Association Mian Arif Nazir, District Coordinator of AAWAZ-Voice &Accountability Programme of Aurat Foundation Sobia Mirzaman Awan and Consultant of Developmental Organisations Qaisara were among the distinguished participants of the consultation.

The main objective of the meeting was to stress upon the role of media in fair and speedy prosecution service, to highlight issues faced in the process and to provide knowledge on prosecution service. In this regard, Mr Naeem emphasized on providing information to masses as the main function of media. Lack of media ethics while reporting crime and law was highlighted as a major issue by Mr Naeem.

While highlighting the challenges faced by the prosecution service, Malik Muhammad Mouzam pointed out the low number of prosecutors against high number of registered cases. Moreover, these registered cases are sensationalized by media most of the times which is also against the ethics and norms of journalism.

Qaisara stressed upon an active appointment of women prosecutors and judges. She suggested 33 percent quota system for women in the prosecution department.

Moreover, the participants believed that educating masses on the prosecution service and its working would itself improve the services of the department. And this part of education cannot be played any better than by the media which is playing a crucial role and carries a great responsibility towards social wellbeing of the society.