With the new democratic government in place, and changes taking place all round, it seems everyone is either trying to get a bill passed, or get one repealed. The PEMRA Ordinance is a recent example. Congratulations to all those who worked hard to make this happen. There is one point however, on which undue haste was unwarranted; the live coverage of violence and conflict. It is covered in the following clause of the ordinance: " 27 (a) broadcasting or re-broadcasting or distributing any program or advertisement, if it is of the opinion that such particular program or advertisement is against the ideology of Pakistan or is likely to create hatred among the people or is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order or is likely to disturb public peace and tranquillity". While it is agreed that some of the words in the clause are ambiguous, and may implicitly give undue authority via this clause to the government, the main idea of the clause is relevant. Showing mutilated bodies, violence and grotesque images has psychological effects on those watching. While it is the job of the electronic media to show the truth, it is also the job of the same media to look after the interests of the wider society. -LAILA SOHAIL, Rawalpindi, via e-mail, April 17.