Journalism in Pakistan: Visions of a safer country through stronger press

Media conference held under the banner of ‘Attacks on journalists and media freedom’.


Express October 19, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Media Commission Pakistan (MCP) affirmed its commitment to a democratic and peaceful Pakistan – in which the press was responsible, unbiased, protected and free – at its second conference, held on October 15 in Islamabad.

The conference was held under the banner of “Attacks on journalists and media freedom” and was attended by about 150 editors and journalists. A commission to monitor attacks on journalists and assess if the media is maintaining professional and ethical standards was also elected. The team comprises President M Ziauddin, General Secretary Afzal Khan, Arif Nizami, Nazir Leghari, Hussain Naqi, Hina Jillani, Sadaf Arshad, Saddique Baloch, Tariq Chaudhry, Ayaz Khan, Dr Jabbar Khattak, Mehmal Sarfraz, Shamim Shahid, Saleem Shahid and Rehana Hakim.

MCP was formed earlier this year after a South Asian Free Media Association conference. South Asian Media Commission secretary-general Najam Sethi, in consultation with media groups, formed MCP to monitor attacks on media personnel and safeguard the freedom of press.

At the conclusion of last week’s conference, a declaration was submitted for the general public in which the commission stated its objectives and demands, resolving to defend freedom of expression and safeguard journalists from heightened threats in an environment of increasing intolerance and extremism.

The declaration expresses the commission’s alarm at a wave of intimidation of various sorts, including ideological attacks on freedoms, the constitution, and Pakistan’s geographical nationhood.

It also highlights the increasing dangers faced by journalists in Pakistan. It took “serious exception to the brutal killing” of the following six journalists in the country in this year alone: Shafiullah Khan, Asfand Yar Khan, Saleem Shehzad, Nasrullah Khan Afridi, Wali Khan Babar and Faisal Qureshi. The declaration also lamented the lack of progress in bringing the culprits to justice in these and over 70 other cases of journalists’ killings.

Other factors such as the law and order situation throughout the country, the lack of consistency in policies for eradicating terrorism, and the emergence of ‘self-appointed moral brigades”, such as the man who killed Salmaan Taseer, are discussed in the document. Disappointment was also expressed that media laws, such as the Information Law, had not yet been changed.

The commission drew two primary lessons from the “muddy experience” of the war on terror. Firstly, that journalists should seek information without compromising their integrity, while also being aware that it remains a “professional hazard to report conflict objectively, fairly, fearlessly and impartially.”

The second point was directed at the security and intelligence agencies, who were asked to stay within their lawful limits and also “drastically rethink their media engagement policy and stop keeping an army of pseudo journalists on their payroll.”

The commission also drew up a list of 16 points which it asked to be implemented in order to bring about a more just and stable society and a more accountable and safe media. This included a judicial commission expanding its mandate to address matters that protect journalists and also investigate unethical factors such as secret funds to manipulate journalists. Training for journalists in conflict zones, life insurance coverage, provincial support for press clubs and the importance of autonomous ombudsmen were some of the other matters included on the list.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2011.

Committee chairman Mir Mohabbat Khan Marri has decided to hold another meeting regarding the issue in Lahore after October 31.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2011.

COMMENTS (4)

antanu g | 12 years ago | Reply

@Surreallist: agree with you.

antanu g | 12 years ago | Reply

while courage of pakistani media is noteworthy, i feel they normaly go overboard and tarnish the image of their country. they should learn from indian media who blindly support the govt when it comes to the national image on international level.

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