The Center for International Media Ethics organized a media ethics day in late September. (Credit: Cimethics.org, screenshot)

Pakistani journalist Amir Zia asserted that his nation’s journalists need to carefully watch their reporting for libelous and sensational comments, Pakistan’s The Express Tribune reported.

Zia’s comments were made during a media ethics seminar Sept. 23 at Pakistan’s Karachi Press Club in honor of International Media Ethics day.  According to the News, the seminar was co-hosted by the Center for International Media Ethics and the Karachi Press Club.

Zia, an editor at Pakistan newspaper The News, also advocated vetting and protecting sources, according to the Express Tribune. Zia is quoted as saying “many journalists have gone to jail because they did not reveal their sources.”

According to the News, journalists were advised to carefully and sensitively report on “terrrorism incidents.”  As an example, the News reported that Zia cited the way “western media” reported on the Sept. 11 attacks by trying not to invade privacy or show images of those killed.

Also at the seminar, the Center for International Media Ethics’ Suzanne Harris recommended journalists avoid invading privacy.  Pakistan’s Online News added that the center’s “Ambassador to Pakistan,” Puruesh Chaudhary called for an ethics code to be created for both reporters and photographers to follow.

According to Karachi Press Club’s website, the club is made up of journalists, “business people and members of the public service.”  The club’s website states that it is the “first press club of Pakistan.”

According to the Center for International Media Ethics’ website, eleven countries hosted an International Media Ethics day this year: Albania, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.

StinkyJournalism wrote to the Center for International Media Ethics to learn more about the events of International Media Ethics Day. We will update with any response.

UPDATE: 10/3/2011 1:28 PM EST: Added information from Pakistan’s Online News and a quote from Zia.