PIPS report: Lack of professionalism augments threats to journalists

Study offers recommendations for safety and security of field reporters.

The threat to the media in Pakistan is broad and diverse, and multiple factors contribute to it but the most important aspect is related to professionalism, including the way of reporting, professional attitudes and mainly the threat perceptions of media persons.

These are the findings of a recently released research study titled ‘Media Safety in Pakistan’ published by the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies.

The study is based on extensive field research and comprehensive case histories of journalists, who were either threatened or killed. It entails interviews with surviving victims and victims’ relatives, friends, fellow journalists, employers, and relevant government officials.

The study reveals that the threat perception of journalists who were killed in the line of duty was weak and that reporters belonging to small and local media outlets were more prone to threats. Criminals and militants in small towns and tribal areas mainly threatened journalists affiliated with local publications and media outlets with comparatively less outreach, the study states.

According to the study, affiliation with major media outlets, especially in small towns and cities, offered some security and those upset by journalists’ coverage do not react to such an extent which can create resentment against them at a national level.

However, in major media stations, journalists who are critical towards policy issues of the state and non-state actors are more prone to threats. Journalists considered to be opinion makers or are seen as playing a role in shaping the discourse on an important issue are also likely to face greater threats.

The targeted journalists’ religious and political affiliations had not contributed to the threats they faced. Nonetheless, being a part-time journalist does not shield one from threats; they too were equally prone to threats simply on account of their work as journalists, the study shows.

The research reveals that regarding the journalists killed, their family members and friends did not know if victims’ media groups had been demanding exclusive reporting from them. In absence of evidence to the contrary, it may be assumed that reporters took risks on their own initiative.

To ensure the safety and security of journalists, the study offers some recommendations.

It recommends that the government appoint special public prosecutors at the provincial and federal levels to address pervasive impunity of perpetrators. The initiative must cover the tribal areas as well. The federal and provincial information ministries and departments should allocate resources for media safety trainings and other capacity-building measures, and also for supporting targeted journalists and their families.

For media houses, the study stresses that they must take more responsibility for safety of journalists which must not be compromised for the sake of media ratings. All media houses should develop/adopt/endorse safety manuals and protocols for journalists, with the help of media professional bodies, government and civil society. This must be done in a consultative and inclusive manner.

The report emphasises the need to monitor and document all incidents of intimidation or violence against media workers, and suggests that professional media bodies can raise them at appropriate forums in collaboration with provincial and national-level bodies representing journalists, to ensure a safe working environment.

Apart from comprehensive recommendations for the government, media houses and professional bodies, the study advises journalists to be extra vigilant in covering stories which involve powerful actors who take offence quickly. Local correspondents should seek solutions in consultation with their media houses to ensure that the issue is covered without exposing them to risk. That can be managed sometimes by filing sensitive reports with a different dateline or requesting the media house to send journalists from outside a difficult district to cover the issue. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2014.