ISLAMABAD: Leading news channels of Pakistan have agreed on a code of conduct for the TV coverage of terrorist incidents being occurred in the country, reported ARY NEWS.

The news sections’ heads of eight leading TV channels of Pakistan chalked out the code and the principles with consensus for the coverage and broadcast of terror incidents on TV in a meeting held here Thursday

The consultations on the code of conduct were underway since last two weeks among the representatives and news executives of ARY NEWS, Geo News, Aaj News, Dawn News, KTN News, Dunya TV, SAMAA, Express News and Express 24/7.

According to the code of conduct, the TV channels will adopt precautionary measures while covering the terror incidents and will avoid broadcasting footages of dead-bodies, wounded persons and eyewitnesses.

During the live coverage delay mechanism would be adopted so that the editing of the footage could be done whenever needed. While covering the incidents of kidnapping and hostage situations, no such information would be broadcasted that may be helpful for the kidnappers.

It was also decided that the camera crews and other concerned staffers will be trained for the coverage of terrorism-related incidents and situations of natural disasters.

The participating news channels also decided to invite other contemporary TV channels to follow the guidelines.

The meeting also declared that following the formulation of code of conduct by the news media industry no guidelines from the government would be acceptable for news channels. The meeting also vowed not to accept any ban on freedom of expression by the state authorities.