ISLAMABAD, May 30: The tone and the language used at the seminar organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) last Saturday was tantamount to humiliating the armed forces and the judiciary and the speeches made and slogans raised in the seminar were “an assault” on the apex court, according to President General Pervez Musharraf.

A press release issued by the ISPR quoted President Musharraf as telling officers of the Jhelum Garrison that his move to send the reference against the Chief Justice was a state issue which was far above his personal relationship. The president refuted the impression that the Chief Justice had been summoned to the Camp Office and said that he (the Chief Justice) himself had requested the meeting.

Urging the media not to politicise ‘a purely judicial and legal matter’, he said that it should abide by the code of conduct, rules and regulations approved by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and play a ‘positive role’ in projecting national issues. The president said spreading ‘despondency and negativism’ would adversely affect the nation.

Claiming that the media had been granted ‘unprecedented freedom’ the president said that the government did not intend to impose curbs on the free flow of information. But, he stressed the need for responsible journalism and urged the media to avoid exaggerating while reporting the issue of the reference against the Chief Justice.

He said while most private TV channels demonstrated responsibility in reporting issues of national importance, ‘some channels’ were not abiding by Pemra’s code of conduct.

Referring to ‘unbalanced reporting’ and remarks made in talk shows, the president said it amounted to creating pressure on the judiciary. He said that the government would accept the Supreme Court’s verdict but the court should take its decision without any fear or favour.

The president reiterated that the issue of the reference against the Chief Justice was sub-judice and the media should avoid discussing it or airing talk shows on the matter, adding that the media should stop airing abusive language and derogatory remarks.

The president said the media was free to criticise any government action but their criticism should not demoralise the nation. He urged the media to uphold the country’s honour and dignity and national pride while reporting events of national importance.

President Musharraf said the US media, considered to be the freest in the world, adhered to journalistic ethics, did not show bodies of American soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan in order not to demoralise their soldiers and people. On the contrary, Pakistani media blatantly showed images of dying people.

Referring to criticism about the armed forces’ role in matters of governance, the president said such aspersions were unfortunate.