South Asia Media Commission (SAMC)
Memorandum of Association
Preamble

South Asia has seen an unprecedented media explosion over the past few years, but this has not been untrammelled growth. The region's media face numerous obstacles and restrictions. Media freedom remains under threat in South Asia as corporate interests increasingly define both content and form. Journalists and media outlets are attacked for practising their profession in an independent manner. Media laws have not kept pace with the 21st century. The right to know and freedom of expression are neither adequately recognised, nor respected by state and non-state players. Although revolutionary advances enabled by information technologies render impediments to free flow of information superfluous, the existing tariff and non-tariff regimes do no allow the free movement of media products across borders in our region. Restrictive visa regimes discourage the free movement of journalists across frontiers.

The acute information deficit among the countries of South Asia does not bring people closer. It helps reinforce differences, fosters decades of misunderstanding, suspicion and hostility, and feeds narrow political, cultural or parochial ideologies. South Asian media can play a pivotal role by informing the public in a responsible and ethical manner about people, their lives and their issues. Print, broadcast, and the new media can step up reportage of South Asia that will enhance understanding, spread best practice, and address the urgency of under-development. Open, free, and transparent flows of information can help dissolve these barriers of the mind. What could not be done over decades in the field of regional cooperation can be achieved by bringing the news media of all the South Asian countries together.

The degree of access and the free flow of information are defining elements of the political system. In autocratic and intolerant regimes, information is restricted on the basis of the “need to know” and limited to a powerful few. Democracies, on the other hand, recognise the right to information and acknowledge that knowledge brings empowerment. As globalisation coupled with the information revolution forces us to collectively respond to the challenges of this new era, there is a greater need to uphold professional standards and expand the scope of our freedoms.

People across South Asia respond positively to the need to rise above ethnic, religious, national, and parochial divides. Media holding up a mirror to such changes should equally rise above such divisions. The issues of freedom of the media, high professional standards, the right to information, freedom of expression, and the free flow of information mandate a broader solidarity among the media and civil society both at the national and regional levels.

Through a process of consultation among various media bodies at our respective national levels, we have agreed to establish the South Asia Media Commission (SAMC), representing all stakeholders in the news media sector at the regional level with national media commissions in South Asian countries as its federating units. Recognising that, besides performing other functions, various national media organisations in the South Asian region are engaged in promoting these objectives, we regard SAMC as representing a more vigorous, focused, and concerted endeavour to respond to the challenges and opportunities.

Objectives

The South Asia Media Commission comprising eminent persons, including editors, other media leaders, working journalists, and civil society representatives, will engage itself in:

  1. Identifying the laws, rules, and regulations in force in different countries of the region that restrict and undermine freedom of expression; and asserting the right to hold and express opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media of one's choice regardless of frontiers, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  2. The Commission will keep a watch on actions by state and non-state actors to intimidate and inhibit the independent media through punitive measures, including the withholding of advertisements, regulatory mechanisms, and censorship.
  3. It will set up a mechanism to react promptly to attacks on, and intimidation of, journalists and media organisations from any quarter. It will monitor journalists' safety, and violations of media rights, and publish periodic reports on such attacks and on actions taken.
  4. It will encourage the national media commissions to devise effective measures for the defence of journalists and media organisations coming under attack from state or non-state actors for performing their professional tasks.
  5. The Commission's work will promote fair and objective reporting, analysis, and comment in the interest of better understanding and relations among the people of the countries of the region. It will aim to rise above national divides and to counter prejudices and negative propaganda, which are inconsistent with the core values of journalism.
  6. The Commission will prepare model legislation to ensure and strengthen media freedom. It will identify and expose violations of professional standards and ethical norms.
  7. The Commission will aim at formulating codes of practice as a guideline for media organisations. In addition to underlining the imperative of media freedom and journalistic independence for all the countries of the region, these codes will address the principles of accountability, transparency, and social responsibility.
  8. It will serve as an independent media watchdog to set professional standards, inclusive of gender and diversity guidelines, across the region and to critically evaluate and audit media content, methods, and performance in periodic reports.
  9. The Commission will undertake advocacy of the role of free, independent, diverse media and their role in society; and promote educational, training, and orientation activities to implement its objectives.

Organizational Structure
  • Regional Commission

    It will consist of not more than seven members from each country of South Asia, who will include a SAFMA coordinator and at least a woman. It will have a Chairperson and a Secretary General (executive officer), elected by the Regional Commission, and a Coordinator, nominated by SAFMA. The Secretary General of SAFMA will be an ex-officio member of the Regional Commission. The Commission is empowered to take all policy and organization decisions, approve reports and undertake all appropriate measures to achieve SAMC's objectives. It will take all its decisions, as far as possible, with consensus. The Chairperson will be responsible to preside over the meetings, approve reports and issue letters and statements on behalf of the Regional Commission. The Secretary General, being an executive official, will represent the organization, issue letters and statements while performing all organsational responsibilities. The Coordinator will be responsible for organizational and logistical matters with the help of SAFMA Central Secretariat and its subsidiary Free Media Foundation and will be responsible to the Regional Commission. There will be vice chairpersons and assistant secretaries to assist the work of SAMC. The Regional Commission shall meet, at least, once a year and could be convened any time to address serious developments.

  • National Commission

    SAMC's national commission, in each country of South Asia, will be formed in consultation with all such media organizations, leading media personalities, human and woman rights bodies who agree with the objectives of SAMC. The national commissions, to be named Media Commission, the country, will include, at least, three eminent editors, one human rights representative, one women rights activist, one SAFMA coordinator, one member from working journalists union, one member from employers association, one member from editors' body and one-fourth or more of its total membership will be women. The national commission will have a Chairperson and a General Secretary, elected by national commission, and a Coordinator, nominated by SAFMA. The Chairperson will preside over and represent national commission, issue reports and statements. The General Secretary, being an executive official, will represent the organization, issue letters and statements while performing all organsational responsibilities. The Coordinator will look after organization and logistical matters with the help of local SAFMA national chapter. National Commission shall meet, at least, once a year and could be convened anytime to consider important developments.

  • Rules of business

    The Commission will frame its rules of business and make appropriate practical arrangements to fulfill its mandate. It will have the assistance of the SAFMA Central Secretariat and its national chapters in pursuing its objectives independently and with the support of as many media organisations as possible. It will make plans for raising additional resources to meet its objectives.

  • Membership

    National Commission's executive body is authorized to determine the limit of membership and approve the members from media and civil society, who are respected and eminent personalities, and agree with SAMC's objectives.

  • Officeholders

    The Commission officeholders will have a two-year term, after which it can be renewed subject to a maximum of two consecutive terms. The decision on who will serve on the regional Commission will be made, preferably by consensus, by the national commission of the country concerned.

  • Emblem

    With eight straight lines (representing eight countries of South Asia) embedded with compass whose two ends converge (reflecting unity in diversity) with SAMC in the middle.

  • Media Commission, Afghanistan

    Mr. Abdul Hamed Mobarez
    President of SAMC - Afghanistan

    Mr. Zia Bumia
    Vice President

    Mr. Hafizullah Ghashtali
    General Secretary

    Mr. Sanjar Qiam
    First Secretary

    Mrs. Jamila Mujahed
    Second Secretary

    Members

    • Dr. Mohammad Hashem Esmatulah Elahi
    • Dr. Mohammad Akbar Akbar
    • Mr. Habibullah Rafi
    • Mr. Shaheer Zahin
    • Mr. Haji Sayed Dawood
    • Mr. Fazul Rahman Oria
    • Mrs. Noor-ul-Habib Nisar
    • Mrs. Sayema Ebadi Roshangar
    • Ms. Safia Melad
    • Ms. Farida Nikzad
    • Mr. Razaq Mamoon
    • Mr. Kamran Mir Hazar

  • Media Commission, Bangladesh

    Chairman
    Barrister Moinul Hossain
    Chairman, Editorial Chairman Board, Ittefaq
    1, R K Mission Road, Dhaka-1203.
    Phone : 7122660-9 (Off.), 8821148 (Res.)
    E-mail : ittefaq@bangla.net

    Members
    Mr. Bazlur Rahman
    Editor, Daily Sangbad
    36, Purana Paltan, Dhaka-1000.
    Phone : 9558160 (Off.), 9353060 (Res.)
    E-mail : sangbad@gononet.com

    Mr. Reazuddin Ahmed
    Editor, News Today
    710, Bara Moghbazar, Dhaka-1217.
    Phone : 9355567-68 (Off.), 8827800 (Res.)
    Cel : 01199-810487
    E-mail : today@gononet.com

    Mr. Motiur Rahman
    Editor, Daily Prothom Alo
    100, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue
    C.A. Bhaban (1st floor), Karwanbazar, Dhaka-1215.
    Phone : 8110081 (Off.), 8122247 (Res.)
    E-mail : news@prothomalo.com

    Mr. Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
    Editor, Bangladesh Observer
    33, Toyenbee Circular Road, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
    Phone : 955105-9 (Off.), 9666078 (Res.)
    Cel : 01713-001666
    E-mail : doherver@dhaka.net

    Mr. Zahiduzzaman Faruque
    Editor, Daily Arthaneeti
    10, Eskaton Garden Road, Ramna, Dhaka-1000.
    Phone : 9360509 (Off.), 8313699 (Res.)
    Cel : 01711-521967
    E-mail : faruque3@bangla.net

    Mr. Shaik Seraj
    Electronic Media
    Director News, Channel Eye
    62/A, Shiddeswary Road, Dhaka.
    Phone : 8322168 (Off.), 7210006 (Res.)
    Cel : 01711-522919
    E-mail : inews@ssibd.net

    Mr. Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul
    President, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalist (BFUJ)
    Executive Editor, Daily Sangbad
    Flat-11/J, Eastern Housing Siddeshwari,
    102-104, Bara Moghbazar, Ramna, Dhaka.
    Cel : 01819-223309
    E-mail : sangbad@gononet.com

    Mr. Shawkot Mahmood
    President, National Press Club
    Cel : 01713-180001
    E-mail : economictimes2006@gmail.com

    Mrs. Farhana Afroz
    Electronic Media, Researcher
    Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB)
    Cel : 01718-597125

  • Media Commission, India

    Mr. N. Ram
    Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu Mount Road
    Chennai 600 001
    044-28413344
    nram@vsnl.com/nram@thehindu.co.in

    Mr Chaitanya Kalbag
    Editor-in-Chief Hindustan Times
    Hindustan times house
    18/20, K.G. Marg
    New Delhi 11001

    Mr. S. Nihal Singh
    Columnist and Former Editor,
    The Statesman
    19, Anand Lok, New Delhi-110049
    Tel: 26262305
    Mobile : 9810167136
    Email: snihal@vsnl.net

    Mr. Vinod Dua
    Television personality
    4, Raj Narain Marg, Civil Lines
    Delhi-110005
    Tel: 23941852(53)
    Mobile : 9810019978
    Email: Its_vakil@hotmail.com

    Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai
    Editor-in-Chief, IBN N-121, Panchsheel Park
    New Delhi 110 048 011-23533985-91(O)
    011-26497300(R)
    rajdeep.sardesai@yahoo.co.uk
    rajdeep.sardesai@tv18online.com

    Mr. Bhaskara Rao
    Director
    Center for Media Studies
    Research House, Community Centre
    Saket New Delhi-110017
    Ph: 26851660, 26968882

    Mr Zahiruddin Ali Khan
    Managing Editor
    Siasat Daily
    6-2-30/C, Parbat
    Saifabao-Hyderabad-500004
    Tel: 040-5502512
    040-24744180, 109, 24603666
    0924653787851
    e-mail: zaheeruddinalikhan@siasat.com
    zaheeruddinalikhan@siasat.com, safma@siasat.com

    Ms. Seema Mustafa
    Resident Editor, The Asian Age 202 SFS,
    Hauz Khas Apartments New Delhi
    110 016 011-26253137, 26261881(O)
    011-26251179
    seemamustafa@hotmail.com
    seemamustafa@gmail.com

    Mr Sumit Chakravartty
    Editor
    Mainstream Current Affairs Weekly
    154/1D, Shapur Jat (First Floor)
    (Near Asiad Village)
    New Delhi-110 049
    Ph: 26497188, Tel: 26967201
    Email: perspective@mainstream.zzn.com
    Mainstreamweekly.com

    Mr. Tarun Vijay
    Editor, Panchjanya
    Sanskriti Bhavan
    Deshbandhu Gupta Marg
    New Delhi-110005
    Tel: 23542142,23558613, Fax :23510088
    Mobile : 9810149138
    Email: tarunvijay@vsnl.com

    Mrs. Humara Quershi
    Columnist
    A-011 Oakwood Street
    Aakash Neem Marg
    DLF Phase-II
    Gurgaon Pin- 122002

    Mrs. Pamella Philepose
    F-314 Panchseel Park
    New Delhi-17
    Ph: 23702100
    9810503021

    Mrs. Sevanti Ninan
    1/23 Shanti Nikatan
    Flat No. 2B
    New Delhi-21
    Ph: 9811126312

    Mr. K. Gopalakrishnan
    Editor, Mathrubhumi
    Saranya, Near L.P. School
    Kottooli, Calicut, Kerala
    Tel: 0495-2743767- 9847006706
    e-mail: khongotkrishan@hotmail.com

    Mr. Shahid Siddiqui (M.P)
    Editor Nai Duniya
    D-21, Nizamuddin (West)
    New Delhi-110 003
    Mobile: 9868181199

    Mr. Madhukar Upadhya,
    Lokmat Samachar,
    Nagpur

    Jawed Anand,
    Communication Combat,
    Mumbai

    Mr. Kumar Ketkar
    Editor, Loksatta 3/50, Lalbaugh
    Industrial Estate
    Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road
    Lalbaugh, Mumbai 400 012
    022-24717600, 24717677
    022-24717636(Fax)
    kumarketkar@expressindia.com

    Mr. Barjinder Singh
    The Daily Ajit Nehru Garden Road
    0181-2458588
    ajit@jla.vsnl.net.in
    Jalandhar 144 001

    Mr. Kamlendra Kanwar
    Editor, The New Indian Express
    Express Press, Express Estate Anna Salai,
    Chennai 600 002
    044-28461272(O)
    044-28213393, 28206652(R)
    k_kanwar@hotmail.com

    Mr. Shahid Siddiqui
    Editor, Nai Duniya (Urdu)
    D-21, Nizamuddin West
    New Delhi 110 013
    011-24354706-2602
    shahid7862000@yahoo.com

    Mr. Manika Chopra
    Stringer, The Bostom Globe
    Media Analyst
    N-22, Panch Shila Park
    New Delhi-110 017
    Tel: 2-6484812
    e-mail: mannika@vsnl.com
    mannika@gmail.com

  • Media Commission, Nepal

    Mr. Rajrendra Dahal
    SAPC President
    President
    Nepal Press Council
    Press Council Nepal, Sanchargram
    GPO Box 3077, Ktm. Nepal
    9851031650
    dahal_rajendra@yahoo.com

    Mr. Prateek Pradhan
    SAPC General Sec.
    Editor
    The Kathmandu Post Kantipur Complex
    Subidhanagar, PO Box 8559
    Kathmandu, Nepal
    9851032475
    prateek@kantipur.com.np

    Mr. Aditya Man Shrestha
    Media Expert PO Box : 3094, Chabahil
    Kathmandu, Nepal
    9841270686
    adityaman@gmail.com

    Mr. Bishnu Nisthuri
    President, FNJ FNJ Nepal,
    Central Office
    Sanchargram, Kathmandu,
    Nepal. Tel : 4490063 9851017106

    Ms Nirmala Sharma
    SAFMA Nepal, secretary
    SAFMA Nepal
    Anamnagar, Kathmandu,
    Nepal. Tel : 4268822
    9851075426
    nirmalaji@mos.com.np

    Mr. Binod Pahadi
    Editor
    Nepali Manch"Monthly"
    Nepali Manch Magazine
    Anamnagar, PO Box 19619, Kathmandu,
    Nepal 9851017673
    pahadib@hotmail.com

    Mr. Kishor Shrestha
    Editor
    Janaaastha Weekly
    Dillibazar, Kathmandu, Nepal
    PO Box : 6630 , Tel : 4442552 9851035125
    kishor.srt@gmail.com

    Mr. Nabin Subba
    Movie Director
    PO Box 5215, Kathmandu
    Nepal 9851053293
    manchhya@mail.com.np
    Mr. Raghu Mainali
    CRSC Project Coordinator NEFEJ
    PO Box 5243, Thapathali,
    Kathmandu, Nepal
    Tel : 4259605 9851039028

    Dr. Renu Raj Bhandari
    President
    Women Rehab. Center
    WOREC Nepal
    PO Box 13233, Balkumari,
    Lalitpur, Nepal. Tel : 2123124 9851044897
    suchana.renu@gmail.com
    worec@wlink.com.np

    Ms Mandira Sharma
    Lawyer Advocacy Forum Nepal
    Pabitra Pyara Marga
    Baluwatar, Maharajgunj
    PO Box : 21798 Tel 4417397 9851048475
    fax : 4437440 mandira2001np@yahoo.com
    info@advocacyforum.org.np

  • Media Commission, Pakistan

    Mr. I. A. Rehman, Chairman
    House No: 230-A, A-1,
    PGEHS Township,
    Lahore.
    Ph # 042-5864994, 6651260
    Email: hrcp@hrcp-web.org

    Mr. Wamiq Zuberi, General Secretary
    Recorder House,
    531 Business Recorder Road,
    Karachi
    Ph # 021-2255349
    Email: wamiq@br-mail.com

    Kazi Asad Abid,
    Secretary General of All Pakistan
    Newspapers Society;
    Daily Ibrat,
    187-I/G Block 2
    P.E.C.H.S
    Shahrah-e-Quaideen Karachi
    ph # 021-4538862
    Email: kaziasad52@hotmail.com

    Mr. Munno Bhai
    Senior Columnist;
    264 Revaz Garden, Lahore.
    Ph # 0300-4281474
    Email: munnoobhai@hotmail.com
    Mr Najam Sethi
    Editor of Daily Times;
    32- F.C.C, Gulberg
    Lahore.
    Ph # 042-5878614
    Email: najamsethi@yahoo.com

    Mr. Afzal Khan
    A Senior Journalist;
    310 Park Towers, F-10 Markaz,
    Islamabad
    Ph # 051-2103595, 0300 5183277
    Email: mafzalkhan@gmail.com

    Mr. Minhaj Barna
    a former president of
    Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists;
    33- Haider Road
    Rawalpindi.
    Ph 051-5580051 051-5515062

    Mr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami
    Editor and Publisher of Daily Pakistan;
    Address: Daily Pakistan 41 Jail Road
    Lahore
    Ph 5118100, 0300-8480636
    Email: paklhr@lhr.comsets.net.pk

    Agha Nasir
    GEO Islamabad;
    23 Street 3, F-8/3.
    Islamabad
    Ph # 051-2263685, 03045108351
    Email: agha.nasir@geo.tv

    Ms. Moneeza Hashmi
    HUM TV;
    102-H Model Town,
    Lahore.
    Ph # 042-5880467, 0300-8433304
    Email: moneezahashmi@yahoo.co.uk

    Ms. Neelum Husain
    3-Birdwood Road,Off Jail Road
    Lahore.
    Ph 7577090, 0300-4800360
    Ph # 5757197, 5750879 0300-4800360

    Mr. Jabbar Khattak
    Daily Awami Awaz, Sindh;
    Chief Editor, Daily Awami Awaz
    New Block No 2, Hockey Stadium
    Liaqat Barracks, Off Shahrah-e-Faisal
    Karachi
    Ph # 021-5672941-44
    E-mail: doctorjabbarkhattak@yahoo.co.uk

    Mr. Husain Naqi
    a senior journalist
    156/D1, Model Town,
    Lahore
    Ph # 042-5864994/5839813
    Email: naqisaeed@hotmail.com

    Mr. Siddique Balouch
    Editor of Balochistan Times

    Ms. Rehana Hakim
    editor of monthly Newsline
    B-4 Merchant Corner, F 181, Kehkesha Scheme 5,
    Clifton, Karachi.
    Ph # 021-5830752
    Email: newsline@cyber.net.pk, newsline_pk@yahoo.com

    Mr. Nusrat Javeed
    Editor of The Post.
    No. 28,Street # 20,F-8/2, Islamabad.
    Mobile: 0333-5300647
    E-Mail: nusratjaveed@hotmail.com

  • Media Commission, Sri Lanka

    Mr. Arjuna Ranawna
    Director-
    Sri Lanka College of Journalism
    65/5 Ward Place,
    Colombo 7
    Tel: 0094-775908293

    Mr. Kumar Nadeshan
    Managing Derector
    -Exprerss Newspaper Ltd
    Tel: 0094-112433595 Mob: 0094-777-270744

    Mr. Rohan Edirisingha
    Director-
    Center for Policy Alternative
    32/3 Flower Road , Colombo 7
    Tel: 0094-11-2565304 Fax: 0094-11-214460

    Mr. Sunanda Deshapriya
    Convener-
    The Free Media Movement
    237/22, Wijeya Kumarathunga Road, Colombo 5
    Mob: 0094-777-312457

    Dr. Sepali Kottegoda
    Women and Media Collective
    174, Alwis Avenue , Castle Street , Colombo 8
    Tel:0094-112-2690192 Fax: 0094-112-5635900
    E-mail: womedia@sltnet.lk

    Mr. Thissa Jayathilaka
    US-Full Bright Commission
    7 Flower Tarace,Colombo 7
    Tel:0094-112-564176 Fax: 0094-112-564153

    Mr. Shiral Lakthilaka
    15,Luxapana Road, Jayanthipura Battharamulla
    Mob: 0094- 777-688725
    E-mail: shirallakthilaka@hotmail.com

    Mr. U.A.Najeem
    15, Inner Wander Wert Place, Dehiwela
    Mob:0094-71-4858800
    E-mail: najeem@sltnet.lk

    Mrs. Jazeema Ismail
    139 Kinsey Road, Colombo 7
    Mob:0094-77-3450954,Tel: 0094-112-695880

    Mr.V.T.Thamilmaran
    Faculty of Law
    University of Colombo, Colombo 3
    Mob: 0094-071-4234390

    Mr.Sarath Kongahage
    Chairman-Associated Newspaper Ceylon Ltd
    35, D R Wijewardana Mawtaha,
    Colombo 10
    Mob:0094-777-270001

Produced By: Free Media Foundation For
South Asian Free Media Association