Government ‘should provide protection to media persons’

Islamabad
Considering multidimensional threats faced by the journalists in exercising freedom of expression, speakers of a seminar on Tuesday said that it is the responsibility of the government to provide protection to the media persons.
In a seminar organised on World Press Freedom Day by Potohar Organisation for Development Advocacy (PODA), the speakers which included senior journalists, representatives of journalist unions and civil society agreed that despite some faults, Pakistani media has performed extraordinarily and has contributes a lot in strengthening democracy in the country.
The panellists pointed out depleting law and order situation, increasing intolerance in the society and the urge of government and establishment to control media as the basic challenges faced by the journalists. They also suggested journalists to practice freedom of expression with responsibility.
The purpose of the event was to highlight the importance of people’s right to freedom of expression and challenges faced by journalists in practicing this freedom that is their fundamental right. The event also included the introduction to the European Union’s Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline. The event was attended by representatives of various organisations and government departments, society organisations, journalists from print and electronic media and lawyers participated
Senior journalist Zia Uddin said that although in recent years people’s access to variety of media and sources of information has increased tremendously, yet the dangers to working journalists remain a challenge in Pakistan.
He said that individual integrity and credibility of journalists are very important to maintain freedom of expression. He also highlighted economic issues faced by the journalists. He pointed out lack of training opportunities for journalists working in rural areas as are available for journalists living in cities.
President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ) Afzal Butt said 114 journalists have so far been killed in the line of duty and killer of only two have been arrested. He said that that Pakistan has been identified as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in the world. He shared that 80 per cent of the media in Pakistan cannot report freely due to threats of one group or another. He demanded that the government must pass Media Protection Bill to protect freedom of expression in Pakistan.
President, South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) Fauzia Shahid shared that freedom of expression is a tool to keeping the public informed and holding governments accountable. She further said that freedom of expression is not possible until journalists are well equipped.
Executive Member Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Kamal Uddin Tipu said that there is limited media freedom in Pakistan. He shared that even the most democratic government want to control media. He shared that there is no journalist member of Pemra.
“Pemra is a regulatory body and it regulates broadcasting media. Unfortunately Pemra do not regulate wages,” he said while addressing the salary issues of journalists. He shared that there is no media policy in Pakistan.
“A free and independent media is an indispensible pillar of any society for implementation of good governance and human rights in Pakistan,” said Executive Director PODA Sameena Nazir.
“Government must secure freedom of expression in Pakistan and provide security to journalists and human rights defenders as it is a fundamental right,” she added.
She emphasised that media can play a significant role in promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. She said that today we pay tribute to the journalist’s who have lost their lives in the line of duty in Pakistan.