THE COMMONWEALTH Summit conference which concluded in Malta on Sunday has called for access of goods of less developed countries to markets in the developing and developed countries without any restrictions of quota or duty. This indeed will be a major step towards reduction of global poverty. The affluent countries have denied free access of less developed countries’ goods to their markets through prescription of quota and imposition of duty. Secondly, the developed countries protect through grant of subsidy the agricultural production of their farmers. This acts against the interest of less developed countries which generally rely heavily on export of their agricultural produce. Through the system of grant of subsidy and tariff protection, agricultural produce of less developed countries becomes uncompetitive in the world market. Accordingly, a level playing field should be provided to farmers from the less developed countries. Doha Round of trade talks could become productive if all agree to lift quota restrictions and allow free flow of goods without any duty barriers. In addition, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has urged the affluent nations to transfer modern technology to the less developed countries to enable the latter to upgrade their products o that they could compete in the global market.
The modern world faces great challenges of illiteracy, disease, hunger and poverty which the developed and developing countries can help reduce provided they proceed with a sense of urgency and commitment. The less developed countries no more require financial assistance. They in fact need trade and not aid. If the latter can sell their products in the global market, they will surely have adequate proceeds to fund development projects which are designed to upgrade social sector Free trade is the answer to our economic woes. The Commonwealth Conference has urged constructive progress at world trade talks and stressed that these should not under any circumstances ignore issues of social importance. The Commonwealth heads of state and Government have unanimously agreed to continue to fight terrorism in all its manifestations and avoid at all costs clash of civilizations. They have also lauded considerable progress which the Government of Pakistan has made towards democracy and hoped that by the end of year 2005.The summit expressed the hope that President General Musharraf would leave Army position before the end of his term as the President in 2007 so as to restore full democracy. Meanwhile, Federal Information Minister who is also Government Spokesman has hinted that President Musharraf will quit Army position by 2007 though, in his view, masses would continue to demand that he should remain President and Army Chief even after expiry of his present term of office to ensure continuing political stability.

Home truths about media

IS IT possible for journalists to distance themselves from their story? While the media must maintain its objectivity and fairness to the extent possible, the men and women who form the media are after all only human. BBC’s Barbara Plett has been accused of having “breached the requirements of due impartiality” in her reporting of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s death.
The BBC board of governors has upheld parts of a complaint by some listeners that Ms Plett got carried away and compromised her impartiality in reporting the emotional scenes ahead of Arafat’s departure for France. In her broadcast on October 30 last year, Ms Plett described the tearful farewell to Arafat in Ramallah saying: “When the helicopter carrying the frail old man rose from his ruined compound, I started to cry,” (with the Palestinians). This is what upset many of BBC’s listeners, mostly in Israel.
However, the BBC Programme Complaints Committee has rightly rejected the assertion by some listeners that Ms Plett’s report was a ‘flagrant violation’ of editorial guidelines. Having extensively reported from the Palestinian territories, Ms Plett may have developed a soft corner for Arafat and the Palestinians. Which is hardly surprising considering the daily ordeal of the Palestinians,which is there for everyone to see. While the truth must be told as it is, at times those telling it cannot help but identify themselves with their story. However, this doesn’t mean Ms Plett neglected her responsibility as a journalist. BBC is a highly professional and largely objective media organisation. Although it is financed by the British government, there are necessary checks and balances in place to ensure it maintains its objectivity and independence as a media organisation.
This is not the case with other private players though. Private media organisations have their own agenda largely determined by the guidelines, interests and strategy of their owners. In such a set up, it is not the editorial team that formulates or sets its editorial policy or direction but the individuals and organisations owing these media outlets. In many parts of the Muslim world, editors or reporters often get the blame for the actions of their bosses. Which is rather unfair because the policy of their channel or newspaper is not determined by them but is dictated by their owners or firms. This is why those media barons do not look at their outlets as a business venture alone. The media is thus cherished for the power it represents. However, such a media enterprise must be economically viable, too. No media enterprise can sustain itself long if it doesn’t make money for its owners. No media outlet otherwise can survive for long even if it is backed by a government. Even government-sponsored papers fold up if they don’t generate revenue of their own.

—Khaleej Times