Safety for journalists: First ever digital threat-reporting system

Muhafiz, currently in development phase, will be launched in January 2016

PESHAWAR:

Muhafiz, a digital tool to report threats to media has been devised, to help keep journalists safe. The project was initiated by Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD) in collaboration with Code for Pakistan, Peshawar Press Club and National Press Club Islamabad.  Muhafiz, also supported by UNESCO Pakistan, is currently under development. The final phase is expected to be completed in January 2016.

Crowdsourcing

According to a press release issued on Thursday, Muhafiz is a digital initiative that seeks to streamline the documentation of threats to people working in the media. It will crowdsource information from safety advisories and act as a helpline which journalists can access in emergencies.

Muhafiz will connect journalists with national and international media rights groups. Talking to the media at Peshawar Press Club on Thursday, MMfD Executive Director Asad Baig said, “We hope Muhafiz will be able to fill a key gap in media safety initiatives by introducing an easy, effective and secure way to document threats, sources of those threats and trends effecting the safety of people in media in Pakistan.” Code for Pakistan is working side by side with MMfD to develop this tool, he said.



“We will let the code stay open source to allow safety audits from international digital safety groups.”

According to Baig, so far 111 journalists have been reported to be killed in Pakistan.  At least 74 of them were targeted and only four of those cases have been decided in the courts while 14 are under investigation, said Baig. “However, there is no documentation of the remaining journalists who have been killed,” he said.

This digital tool will not only provide media groups with information on developing security situations, but also help journalists and police personnel stay aware, Baig told The Express Tribune.

“The design and development of this tool has been supported by UNESCO Pakistan, which will collect information and keep a record of all journalists who have received threats,” he added.

MMfD Project Manager Sara Ali said Pakistan has become one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. “This digital tool will be conducive to the media to thrive in Pakistan as outlined in the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity,” she added.

Peshawar Press Club President Syed Bukhar Shah Bacha commended the initiative. He said Peshawar Press Club is committed to supporting Muhafiz as it was a “much-needed” tool.

According to the press release, in its pilot phase Muhafiz will be tested in Peshawar, with a select group of journalists from K-P and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. If successful, the tool will be scaled on a national level.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th,  2015.