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Journalists’ protection in Pakistan a challenge!
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Visits
295
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Visits
295
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Visits
295
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March 18, 2011
According to a Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) report 2,187 journalists, including 10 women journalists, were killed across the world from January 2000 to September 2010, while 10 journalists were killed in 2010 in Pakistan. According to a report of the Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ), 850 journalists were fired from their jobs from The Nation, Nawa-e-Waqt, Daily Times and Aaj Kal between January 2010 and September 2010. Journalists from TV channels like DawnNews, Aaj, Geo English, Waqt, Rohi and Business Plus etc have also been fired. It’s journalists who have played their heroic role in most difficult situations. Sometimes they could be seen enlightening the nation on terrorism and sometimes they become a hope for the poor and destitute affected by floods and earthquake. Journalists have shed their blood to project the truth. The media in Pakistan has become a ray of hope for the nation after the army and the judiciary. According to an estimate, numerous journalists have been target-killed and this game of death is still continuing. Unknown persons killed President of Hangu Union of Journalists and senior journalist Misri Khan in broad daylight when he was on way to his Hangu Press Club office
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Journalism is considered the fourth pillar of the state. Free media reflects the true picture of any society. The countries having freedom in its true sense have excelled in all spheres of life. It’s a prophetic profession if it defends and promotes honesty and truth. But if pursues self-centered objectives through blackmail and criticism then it is called “yellow journalism”. Today, in Pakistan journalists, to some extent, have got freedom through their sacrifices. Reporters from different TV channels and newspapers get ready for the coverage of all kinds of incidents throughout the country.
According to a report of the “Community to Protect Journalists”, Pakistan was at the 10th rung in the world in matter of journalists’ killings in 2009, while the November 2010 report put Pakistan at the 8th rung terming it the most dangerous country on earth for journalists. The report said that journalists had not only been threatened, but also their lives and property were at stake.
According to a Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) report 2,187 journalists, including 10 women journalists, were killed across the world from January 2000 to September 2010, while 10 journalists were killed in 2010 in Pakistan. According to a report of the Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ), 850 journalists were fired from their jobs from The Nation, Nawa-e-Waqt, Daily Times and Aaj Kal between January 2010 and September 2010. Journalists from TV channels like DawnNews, Aaj, Geo English, Waqt, Rohi and Business Plus etc have also been fired.
It’s journalists who have played their heroic role in most difficult situations. Sometimes they could be seen enlightening the nation on terrorism and sometimes they become a hope for the poor and destitute affected by floods and earthquake. Journalists have shed their blood to project the truth. The media in Pakistan has become a ray of hope for the nation after the army and the judiciary.
According to an estimate, numerous journalists have been target-killed and this game of death is still continuing. Unknown persons killed President of Hangu Union of Journalists and senior journalist Misri Khan in broad daylight when he was on way to his Hangu Press Club office. It is pertinent to mention here that the Police Lines and DCO office are near the press club; however, despite strict security terrorists not only succeeded to enter to the press club building, but also escaped. Night after the incident, after two days, some unknown men opened fire and killed the correspondent of Daily Pakistan and member Press Club Mujeebur Rehman. These continuous incidents have spread fear and panic in the country, especially in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (KPK).
In December 2005 local senior journalist Hayatullah Khan was kidnapped and latter killed. Later, his home was also blown up with explosives. On 23rd June, 2006 Vice President Tribal Union of Journalists (TUJ) Nau Hakeem, on 23 May, 2007 correspondent of Express News Ibrahim Khan, on 18 February, 2009 local journalist Musa Khan Khel, on 29 February, 2009 local journalist Sirajud Din and on November 09, 2008 journalist Qari Shoaib were martyred in different incidents. The government did not announce any aid or compensation for the families of the martyred and injured journalists. The clinical attitude of the government has been creating a sense of insecurity among the journalists of the KPK and Malakand Division.
Journalists, especially those living in the KP province, are facing enormous difficulties since 2007. On February 2 journalist Sohail Qalandar was abducted and recovered from Khyber Agency after 50 days. In another gruesome incident, a Geo News reporter was killed during peak hours of the day in Karachi. Analysts believe the media is being targeted. The media and the incumbent rulers are fighting a war with the former committed to highlighting the problems in their true color and the latter going to all lengths to gag it. Criticism is the constitutional right of everyone and we must progress on the basis of principles.
During late hours we see politicians attending various talk shows. The whole nation sees them dishing the dirt on each other and defending their parties and policies without any rhyme or reason. The bare fact is that they have no answer to the questions why basic problems of the masses like their unhindered access to health, education, equality etc remain unattended and unaddressed. It merits a mention here that Pakistan is facing extremism and terrorism for the last many years and hundreds are getting killed due to suicide bombings.
The role of the media must be unbiased. It must not give verdicts rather it should highlight problems supported by facts and figures. In short, a respectable and responsible media could take any country to new heights.
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