A dangerous profession

Journalism is a dangerous job the world over, especially in countries where inconvenient and uncomfortable truths are likely to attract a bullet between the eyes — and disposal in a gunny-sack at the roadside. For many years, Pakistan has been at the top of the international list for the number of journalists killed in the line of duty, and 2014 was no exception. The annual report of the International Federation of Journalists lists 14 Pakistani journalists killed in 2014, with Syria second in line at 12. It would have been less surprising were the figures reversed. There is a nationwide and bitterly fought civil war in Syria and casualties in the Fourth Estate are to be expected as reporters get close to the fighting to tell their stories. Indeed, most of the casualties in Syria are ‘on the battlefield’; but in Pakistan where there is no civil war — at least in theory — and no hot front lines raked by small arms, mortar and artillery fire. Here, journalists are murdered, targeted for what they are rather than being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Shooting the messenger has long been the preferred news management option for those affronted by their faults, crimes and indiscretions being exposed. Although it has never been proved conclusively, there are persistent suspicions that elements of the state have in the past been involved in harassing journalists. There have even been accusations of state actors killing journalists but these have never been proven. Certainly, the state does not prioritise the hunt for or prosecution of those who murder journalists and it is difficult to find many records of successful prosecutions in such cases. That fact alone speaks of a state that sees journalists as a threat. Little attempt is made to protect either individual journalists or the media houses, and woe betide any media house that runs afoul of any arm of government. The telling of truth to power always carries a risk. And power in Pakistan is often expressed in the form of a bullet. Thus we salute our brave journalists in this new year.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd,  2015.

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