role of photojournalists

LAHORE - Lahore High Court Chief Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed has said that role of media in the restoration of judiciary was laudable especially photojournalism.

CJ Azmat Saeed said this while talking to a delegation of officebearers of Photographers Association of Lahore.

The CJ quoted a Chinese proverb that a picture was more impressive and effective as compared to a news item of a thousand words and said that in the present age it has got more significance. Commenting on a reference by a participant to a photograph in an English newspaper (Daily TheNation) showing misbehaviour of a police officer with Chief Justice of Pakistan during the lawyers’ movement, the CJ remarked that the impact of that picture spread like wildfire and gave an impetus to the lawyers struggle.

He termed the photography as an art and said that the press photography was of utmost importance as it entails quick expertise at the part of lens-men. They capture the full story of the situation with the twinkling of the eye and that becomes definitely the part of history and remains alive in the memories of people, he added.  The LHC CJ desired the holding of an exhibition of the camera photography of the lawyers’ movement. It would revive the spirit of the movement amongst the legal fraternity and the civil society besides boosting profession of photojournalism, he added.

He said that pictorial coverage was more elaborative and integral part of print media but was not growing at the desired pace and needs protection from the stakeholders.  There was hardly any concept of paintings a decade ago but due to sustained efforts now these were selling like hot cakes, he added. 

Likewise market-oriented steps are also required for the promotion and recognition of photojournalism, the Chief Justice concluded. President of the Association Nawaz Alam, Vice President Pervaiz Altaf, Secretary General Waseem Niaz and some senior cameramen of leading news papers were also present on the occasion.