KARACHI, Jan 17: The standing committee of the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors at a meeting has reiterated its resolve to play its role for the promotion of free and fair journalism in the country.

A resolution adopted at the meeting, held under the chairmanship of CPNE president Arif Nizami here on Sunday, said that although presenting an incident in a sensational manner would be an irresponsible act, reporting of facts was the right of newspapers.

The resolution expressed concern that the government, through press advice, tried to stop reports regarding tragic incidents in Gilgit and Sui. Advertisements to papers not abiding by the advice were suspended.

The practice of press advice, the resolution said, was tantamount to undue intervention of the government in the affairs of the press and should be avoided.

It said that freedom of the press was vital for democratic stability and demanded that the practice of taking punitive measures against newspapers particularly suspension of advertisements for not following government directives regarding publication of news, display of news and editorials must be stopped forthwith. -PPI