Press Freedom Day observed

LAHORE
PUNJAB University (PU) Institute of Communication Studies (ICS) organised a rally to mark the World Press Freedom Day here Tuesday.
A large number of students and ICS faculty members participated in the walk. The students were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans to ensure safety to journalists.
PU-ICS In-charge Director Dr Noshina Saleem speaking on the occasion said press freedom required responsibility on part of media organisations and journalists, and without responsible journalism press freedom could not be ensured.
She said only those societies prospered where press enjoyed complete freedom. She said misinformation; race to break the news and sensation to get higher ratings were the main challenges being faced by Pakistani media today. She said media should improve itself by making and implementing code of ethics, so that press could play a better role for the society. She said, “We have to improve journalism in the country, because that is the only way we can ensure press freedom in Pakistan.”
Student Adviser Shabbir Sarwar said this day reminded us of the sacrifices made by journalists, in which many, especially in Pakistan, laid down their lives for their work. He said this year’s theme “Let Journalism Thrive”, focused on the safety and security of working journalists. He said this day was marked to pay tribute to the martyred journalists and to create awareness among the masses about this profession.
reference: Speakers at a reference on Tuesday said a working journalist remains alive through his or her work even after death. They said fellow journalists should commemorate their departed fellows to celebrate their achievements.
According to a press release, the condolence reference in memory of departed journalists Asad Sahi, Usman Malik, Moin Ahmad and Hamid Javed was organised by Education Reporters Association (ERA) at Government College University (GCU).
Speakers commemorated their departed fellows and stressed the need to rationalise working hours of journalists. They said working conditions and working hours of journalists were so stressful that they were resulting quite often in untimely deaths.
“This is a dilemma that young men like Asad Sahi, Moin and Usman are dying. We should think why they are dying so young. This is because there is an immense work-pressure and load on them. The owners should also think about facilitating their workers which will certainly increase the work quality,” said senior journalist Amjad Warraich.
“There is a war going on in media channels for breaking the news first and run tickers. The reporters in electronic media remain occupied and in stress 24 hours. They are reporters even when they are off duty. We have started several projects including health insurance and life insurance for members of Press Club from the platform of Lahore Press Club but the news organisations should also think about it,” said LPC president Arshad Ansari.
Senior journalist Ch Khalid Qayyum said Asad Sahi was a very hard working journalist who worked with pace of television even when TV channels were not launched. He said for a reporter the greatest assets were his sources and Asad Sahi had very effective sources. He appreciated ERA and GCU for organising a reference to commemorate departed journalists.
Senior journalist Kazim Khan said Asad Sahi was very supportive for the young reporters and helped them learning new things. Muddasir Iqbal Butt said it was commendable that ERA had organised a reference to commemorate senior journalists.
Hasnain Sahi, father of late Asad Sahi, and Aoun Sahi, brother of Asad Sahi, thanked the participants for organising the reference.
GCU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khaleequr Rehman said people complained about negativity of media but he was very happy to see that how these young reporters were commemorating their senior fellows.
Pakistan Traders Association president Khalid Pervez, Assignment Editor City 42 Asaf Jafri, senior journalist Fakhrul Islam and others attended the seminar.