According to the annual report of the Freedom Network, the increase of more than 60% in attacks and threats on journalists in Pakistan is undoubtedly a matter that the current federal and provincial governments should take immediate notice of to improve the situation and counter the elements responsible for negative tactics. All necessary measures should be taken for effective action.

The report, released on the occasion of World Media Freedom Day, stated that between May 2022 and March 2023, at least 140 incidents of attacks and harassment against media organizations and their affiliated journalists were reported, while five journalists have also been killed in the said period. The annual report which is prepared by the media rights watchdog Freedom Network, has revealed that Federal Capital Islamabad as  the riskiest city for journalists from across the country where as many as 40pc, violations took place against media men took place. Punjab province stands at the second place 25 per cent cases of violations, while Sindh is at No, 3 followed with 23 per cent cases of violations against journalists. The Freedom Network has rightly concluded from these facts that attacks on free journalism are an obstacle to the provision of essential information and information, while in the current political and economic crisis, it is very important for the public to have reliable information so that those matters to understand better.  It is particularly important that although Pakistan has become the first country in Asia to enact legislation for the protection of journalists in 2021, this law is not being implemented despite the passage of a year and a half.  Freedom Network is absolutely right in demanding that the Prime Minister fulfill his promise to deal with crimes against journalists made at the international conference last year and issue a declaration on the establishment of a security commission under the Federal Protection of Journalists and Media Protection Act 2021.

Those who try to prevent journalists from bringing out the facts by intimidating them through attacks and threats should also know that in this age of social media, no tactic to hide the facts can succeed, so it is better to refrain from this practice. It ought to be mentioned with concern that sufferings of the media fraternity continue to multiply. Women journalists are also targeted and harassed, especially while working online as they are disposed to varied risks of a shocking prevalence of online harassment and violence related to their work.  The irony of the situation is that in Pakistan, 85 journalists have been killed since 1993 and the situation is further deteriorating with the passage of time. Though mediamen have always been in perils in Pakistan, but things have never worsened to the extent that are right now for the media men due to the varied crisis and the law and order situation in the country. They who are enduring it all i.e. from unemployment to violence, to life threats to abduction, and even being killed with impunity. The successive governments, in bid to cover its follies and incompetence, often come up with pressure tactics and even use of force to silence its detractors mainly the press which is the fourth pillar of the state. Both the civilian and the military governments for decades can be heard from time to time levelling allegations against the media men, newspapers and channels of partisan. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and other unions representing the media men always thwart such moves from those in the corridors of powers but it hurts to see the indifferent attitude of successive governments to plight of the journalist. One would advise the current coalition govt to bid adieu to the past practices against the media men and not employ undemocratic and fascist tactics against the media as holding criticizing the government policies and evaluating its performance is a constitutional right of every Pakistani, including the media men, which cannot be snatched by any incumbent government. Freedom of expression and freedom of press are the fundamental rights guarantee by the Constitution and the current govt cannot snatch these rights from masses, including journalists who have always worked for the rule of law. There is no denying that journalists in Pakistan are facing multiple dangers and they are always at the receiving ends. Like previous years, the year 2022 and even the current year brought no good news for the journalists. Rather their difficulties and odds multiplied.  According to UN cultural agency UNESCO, as many as 62 journalists were murder just for performing their duties in 2020 alone. Overall, 1,200 professionals lost their lives while doing their jobs between 2006 and 2020, In nine out of ten cases the killers go unpunished, said UNESCO. Pakistan also proved to be a dangerous place for journalist and according to a report of the Freedom Network, an estimated two dozen journalists were charged in the last three years and most of them were prosecuted under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. Unfortunately, Pakistan is a dangerous place for journalists and the increasing crimes against them has proven time and again this bitter fact.  The irony is that with the passage of time the levels of impunity increases. There has been an appalling increase in violent attacks on journalists seen as 'critical' of set narratives; and there has been near-zero reckoning when it comes to excesses on journalists in the country. No laws are implemented to protect the journalists. On the other hand, Section 20, which criminalises online defamation, and carries a three-year imprisonment, and up to one million rupees in fine, is the main section of the PECA  which is reported used against journalists to victimize them.   

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 04 2023

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