Tit for tat: Media boycotts all police coverage
The decision was taken on Saturday during a meeting with Orakzai Press Club President Saleh Din Orakzai in the chair. STOCK IMAGE
Journalists in Hangu district decided to boycott all coverage of the police after City SHO Khanullah Wazir allegedly banned their entry in his police station.
The decision was taken on Saturday during a meeting with Orakzai Press Club President Saleh Din Orakzai in the chair. Other senior journalists from the agency were also present.
The meeting participants were told that local journalist Fazal Karim published a news item against the Hangu police station SHO for his alleged rude behaviour with the people of his jurisdiction. In response, the officer banned the entry of all journalists in his police station. The SHO also allegedly warned journalists that he could register false cases against them.
Media personnel have asked relevant authorities to order a departmental enquiry against the officer and issue orders for his transfer within two days. The journalists also threatened to protest if their demands were not met.
Moreover, they decided to boycott all coverage of the police in Hangu till action was taken against Wazir. The media also announced a boycott of the coverage of local lawmakers as it believed they were helpless against the SHO.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2015.