Press freedom: Journalists rally to mark the World Press Freedom Day

Restraint and responsibility stressed by several journalists’ leaders.

LAHORE:

Thousands of journalists from across the country held a rally, which was carried out from the Lahore Press to the Punjab Assembly at The Mall, on Saturday to mark the World Press Freedom Day.

The rally was organised by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, the Punjab Union of Journalists and the Lahore Press Club.

“Journalism is a highly respected profession because journalists are the eyes and ears of a society. Unfortunately in Pakistan, journalists face threats from both state and non-state actors...this makes it hard for them to carry out their duties properly. No one should have to die doing their job. The government, media organisations and civil society must come together and ensure the safety of journalists,” Mehmal Sarfraz said on Saturday.

The participants carried banners and placards. They chanted “An attack on one is an attack on all”, “Journalists are alive”, “Stop targeting journalists” and “The struggle will continue till the press is free”.

Punjab Union of Journalists President Wasim Farooq appreciated the PFUJ president’s efforts in arranging a convention for women journalists in Lahore and the rally.

Munizae Jahangir said, “Sadly, the media has been hijacked by vested interests today and it is only journalists who stand to lose. If journalists do not redefine and reassess themselves it will be a big setback for the freedom of the press.”

Speaking to The Express Tribune, anchor Fereeha Idrees said, “This is a defining time. The essential debate on media freedom versus responsible journalism is in the limelight.

This is such a crucial juncture that one reckless step could steer it towards a disastrous end. The need for sense and sensibility has never been more essential.”

There is no denying that senior journalists have paid a heavy price for the freedom of speech, Idrees said. Their sacrifices and hard work can never be forgotten. “

Having said that, we are also painfully aware of the situation an unmonitored media has led us into. We have already paid the price for it,” she said. “Now is time to realise that we need an autonomous body and a mutually agreed code of conduct where we have free speech without personal and corporate agendas and dishonest intentions. We must acknowledge the hard work of our seniors.” She said journalists needed to safeguard their space.

“We must say no to irresponsible, propagandist and a sensational approach which is dangerous anywhere in the world but can be lethal in a war ridden country like ours.”

She said her hope for the freedom of the press was that it does not become like Frankenstein’s monster, “that we first create but then seek to destroy”. Before that day comes, better sense must prevail, for those propagating accusations and those distributing certificates of patriotism, she said.

Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari appreciated the efforts of Journalist Afzal Butt and assured him that all journalists were united in his leadership for the struggle of press freedom in Pakistan.

Lahore Photojournalists’ Association President Iqbal Chaudhry and Lahore Press Club Secretary Muhammad Shahbaz Mian also spoke on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2014.