CPNE says media freedom deteriorated in 2021

In its latest report, media body says journalists are at risk of economic collapse

LAHORE:

The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) on Sunday released a report to highlight how press freedom deteriorated in 2021 as compared to the previous two years.

In the report titled “Pakistan Media Freedom Report - 2021”, CPNE expressed concerns over tactics aimed at stifling freedom of media, freedom of expression, and access to information.

In 2021 alone, the report revealed, five journalists were killed in the line of duty, including Karachi-based social media activist and community journalist Nazim Jokhio, who was abducted and killed mercilessly.

At least nine journalists lost their lives due to the coronavirus pandemic, whereas two newsmen committed suicide due to the lingering unemployment, it added.

It stated that following 2020, the year 2021 came to be an extremely difficult year for journalists, media workers, and media organisations in Pakistan as freedom of press and freedom of expression remained under pressure.

Also read: Journalist shot dead outside Lahore Press Club

It went on to say that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, not only several journalists lost their lives, but it also plunged the media houses into deep financial crises. It added that different institutions continuously attempted to keep the journalist community under pressure through direct and indirect tactics.

CPNE also noted that the number of journalists who were harassed, tortured, and killed in the line of duty last year could be higher.

The report highlighted that many journalists had to face murder attempts, threats, lawsuits, and telephone calls from “unknown numbers”, in addition to online harassment on various occasions. The family members of the affected journalists were also subjected to physical and mental torture, it added.

CPNE also mentioned that state institutions registered cases against several journalists during 2021.
It also elaborated how the government enforced a controversial media law to control the media “by hook or by crook”.

Talking about finances, CPNE mentioned that media houses’ financial woes precede the pandemic which only further aggravated the crisis.

Also read: 45 journalists killed in 2021: media watchdog

It warned that the journalist community is still at risk of economic collapse due to ongoing financial constraints.

Unfortunately, the report regretted, Pakistan is one of the countries, where violence against journalists is increasing and not even a single murderer has been brought to justice.

During the previous year, it observed that journalists and media institutions faced censorship and restraint on several occasions. It went on to mention notable journalists who were harassed or tortured during 2021.

The report also mentioned the government’s attempts to stifle social media, including blocking 19,000 accounts and the repeated bans on TikTok.

However, CPNE hailed the passage of the Journalist Protection Bill by the federal government. It also appreciated the Protection of Journalists and Media Practitioners Bill by the Sindh government and urged other provinces to follow suit.