Tag: press freedom

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UNGA President Invokes Gandhi To Call For Protecting Journalists

General Assembly President Dennis Francis has called for reaffirming commitments “to protecting journalists and media workers worldwide”.

Invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s statement that “freedom of the press is a precious privilege that no country can forego”, General Assembly President Dennis Francis has called for reaffirming commitments “to protecting journalists and media workers worldwide”.

After posting the comment on the social media X on World Press Freedom Day, Friday, Francis issued a joint statement with Presidents Simona Mirela Miculescu of the UNESCO General Conference, Paula Narváez of the UN Economic and Social Council, and Omar Zneiber of the Human Rights Council, focusing on journalists covering the environment.

“We advocate for the strengthening of policies that promote free, independent, and pluralistic media, thereby fostering a vibrant and robust public sphere, a pillar of peaceful, just, inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous societies,” they said.

“We also recognise the role of journalists and media workers, including women, in raising public awareness about climate change, environmental and disaster issues,” they said.

According to Francis’s Spokesperson Monica Grayely, the World Press Freedom Day this year “is dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis”.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a message, “The world is going through an unprecedented environmental emergency which poses an existential threat to this and future generations.”

“People need to know about this – and journalists and media workers have a key role in informing and educating them,” he said.

He said, “It is no surprise that some powerful people, companies and institutions will stop at nothing to prevent environmental journalists from doing their jobs. Media freedom is under siege. And environmental journalism is an increasingly dangerous profession.”

UNESCO reported that in the past 15 years, there have been about 750 attacks on journalists and news outlets reporting on environmental issues.

Guterres said that other journalists are also facing risks.

“Around the world, media workers are risking their lives trying to bring us news on everything from war to democracy,” he said.

“I am shocked and appalled by the high number of journalists killed in Israeli military operations in Gaza,” he said.

He said, “I call on governments, the private sector and civil society to join us in reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding press freedom and the rights of journalists and media professionals around the world.”

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Press freedom at stake in Pakistan

The report went on to say that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, not only several journalists lost their lives, but it also plunged the media houses into deep financial crises….reports Asian Lite News

The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) has released a report to highlight how press freedom deteriorated in 2021 as compared to the previous two years.

In the report titled “Pakistan Media Freedom Report – 2021”, the CPNE on Sunday expressed concerns over tactics aimed at stifling freedom of media, freedom of expression, and access to information, reports The Express Tribune.

In 2021 alone, the report revealed that five journalists were killed in the line of duty, including Karachi-based social media activist and community journalist Nazim Jokhio, who was abducted and killed mercilessly.

At least nine journalists lost their lives due to the coronavirus pandemic, whereas two newsmen committed suicide due to the lingering unemployment, it added.

‘Pakistan has reported 1,415 cases of blasphemy since 1947’

It stated that following 2020, the year 2021 came to be an extremely difficult year for journalists, media workers, and media organisations in Pakistan as freedom of press and freedom of expression remained under pressure.

It went on to say that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, not only several journalists lost their lives, but it also plunged the media houses into deep financial crises.

The report added that different institutions continuously attempted to keep the journalist community under pressure through direct and indirect tactics.

CPNE also noted that the number of journalists who were harassed, tortured, and killed in the line of duty last year could be higher, the report said.

The report highlighted that many journalists had to face murder attempts, threats, lawsuits, and telephone calls from “unknown numbers”, in addition to online harassment on various occasions, The Express Tribune reported.

The family members of the affected journalists were also subjected to physical and mental torture, it added.

CPNE also mentioned that state institutions registered cases against several journalists during 2021 and elaborated how the government enforced a controversial media law to control the media “by hook or by crook”.

Talking about finances, CPNE mentioned that media houses’ financial woes precede the pandemic which only further aggravated the crisis.

Unfortunately, the report regretted, Pakistan is one of the countries, where violence against journalists is increasing and not even a single murderer has been brought to justice.

During the previous year, it observed that journalists and media institutions faced censorship and restraint on several occasions.

It went on to mention notable journalists who were harassed or tortured during 2021.

The report also mentioned the government’s attempts to stifle social media, including blocking 19,000 accounts and the repeated bans on TikTok, the report said.

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Afghan journalists fear for life, seek protection from Taliban

Afghan journalists have urged the world not to just stand back as they called for actions to ensure safety of Afghan journalists from the threats…reports Asian Lite News

150 Afghan journalists have signed an open letter calling on the United Nations and other international organisations to protect them against the threats.

Among the letter’s many signatories are Afghan based journalists, media workers, cameramen and photographers, TOLO News reported.

“Considering the increasing challenges and threats facing media workers, as well as their families and property, we urge the United Nations and donor countries to take action to save our lives and our families,” TOLO news quoted the letter.

According to the TOLO news reports, media personnel urged the world not to just stand back as they called for actions to ensure safety of Afghan journalists from the threats they face after Taliban takeover.  

Meanwhile, disturbing video clips of an Afghan TV news presenter reading out the headlines while being surrounded by armed Taliban members went viral on international media.

The clip was shared online by the TV studio after the militants stormed the building and demanded the news anchor praise the Taliban, the Daily Mail reported.

In the 42-second clip, which has since been viewed more than 1 million times, the news anchor is surrounded by eight armed men who appear to be guarding him as he reads.

It has been reported they stormed the building on Sunday and demanded the presenter speak with them.

According to Wio News, the news anchor carried out a debate with the militants while on air.

The news outlet reports that the presenter spoke about the collapse of the government in Afghanistan and urged the Afghan people not to be afraid.

During the show, called ‘Pardaz’, the anchor also reportedly told people to co-operate with the group.

The video was filmed as US armed forces said they had carried out a successful drone strike mission which prevented a second terrorist attack at Kabul airport, the report said.

Sharing footage from inside the newsroom, Zaki Daryabi, the Publisher of Etilaatroz and Kabul Now, took to Twitter to say: “This is what @Etilaatroz can’t accept. If so, we will stop our work.”

Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad retweeted the video and wrote: “This is surreal. Taliban militants are posing behind this visibly petrified TV host with guns and making him to say that people of Afghanistan shouldn’t be scared of the Islamic Emirate.

“Taliban itself is synonymous with fear in the minds of millions. This is just another proof.”

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Pak journo taken off air for speaking against media curbs

Hamid Mir

This comes after Hamid Mir, the host of the flagship news program “Capital Talk”, raised concern about the safety of his colleagues…reports Asian Lite News

A popular news anchor in Pakistan has been taken off the air for three days after he spoke against the rising curbs on freedom of expression in the country.

This comes after Hamid Mir, the host of the flagship news program “Capital Talk”, raised concern about the safety of his colleagues, following the recent attack on reporter Asad Ali Toor.

Mir, who himself has survived assassination attempts said that he ready to go to any extent because “they” are threatening his family. “Nothing new for me. I was banned twice in the past. Lost jobs twice. Survived assassination attempts but cannot stop raising voice for the rights given in the constitution,” he tweeted.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists strongly condemned pressure applied to ban Hamid Mir from his show. “First journalists are attacked and when media persons protest against such attacks, the government employs fascist tactics to silence them.”

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also condemned the decision to take journalist Hamid Mir off the air. “That Mr Mir has been promptly silenced and his family allegedly threatened is now a tipping point for press freedom – and one that will not be resolved through the optics of law-making in the shape of the long-touted and heavily criticised journalists’ protection bill,” HRCP tweeted.

Meanwhile, the management of the channel where Hamid was employed, has confirmed to the media that Hamid Mir will not be able to host “Capital Talk” indefinitely.

According to Geo Administration sources cited by Daily News, Mir has been sent on leave for a few days.

Several Pakistani journalists have stepped forward to show solidarity with Mir. Pakistani journalist and political commentator Asma Sherazi said the channel management must clarify their position.

“If @HamidMirPAK is taken off air or banned from doing program on Geo News, more fingers will point towards the powerful establishment and the government while resounding the ‘words that he said’. Journalists of Pak stand with Hamid Mir. Geo management must clarify its position,” Shirazi, Winner of 2014 Peter Mackler Award of Courage and Ethical Journalism said in a tweet.

Recently, Pakistani journalist Asad Ali Toor, who is known for criticising the country’s establishment, was attacked at his apartment in Islamabad. He had said members of the country’s spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), could be behind the brutal attack on him.

In December last year, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in a ‘White Paper on Global Journalism’ listed five countries, including Pakistan as the ‘Most Dangerous Countries for Practice of Journalism in the World’. As many as 138 journalists have been killed in Pakistan since 1990. (ANI)

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Pakistan remains dangerous country for journalists

The deadly attack on Alam attracted condemnation from journalists and politicians alike…reports Asian Lite News.

Pakistan continues to remain as one of the most unsafe countries for journalists, as targeted attacks, abductions, killings and assassination attempts on senior scribes continue unabated.

In the latest tragic incident in the capital Islamabad, senior journalist and former chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (PEMRA), Absar Alam, was shot in broad daylight by unknown attackers.

In a video message shared on social media, Absar Alam could be seen stating that he was shot outside his house.

“I have been shot in my ribs,” said Absar Alam while being taken to the hospital after being shot at.

“My message to those who did this is that I am not going to be scared by such tactics,” he added.

Alam was rushed to the hospital immediately where his condition has stabilised.

The incident prompted immediate response from the Islamabad Police, which stated that the capital police chief has constituted a special team under the command of the SSP (investigation) to probe the attack.

Federal Minister for Interior, Sheikh Rasheed, also took notice of the attack and ordered the Islamabad IG to investigate the matter with immediate effect.

“Those involved in the firing should be arrested as soon as possible,” he said.

“Those who fired at Absar Alam will not be able to escape the law. Very soon they will be within the ambit of the law,” he added.

Lahore HC removes PEMRA chairman (ANI)

The deadly attack on Alam attracted condemnation from journalists and politicians alike.

“Silencing the voice of dissent is cancer that has plagued this country for many years. Absar Alam Sahab is the latest victim of this cruel & barbaric crime. May Allah SWT heal his wounds and the wounds of this country. Ameen,” tweeted Maryam Nawaz, the Vice President of opposition party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) also lashed out at the government, stating that it seems like the deep state is at large against the journalist community.

Absar Alam (ANI)

“It seems that the deep state is at large against the journalist community who are victims of rising crime and terrorism in the country,” PFUJ said in a statement.

“Such incidents cannot deter the journalist community from raising the voices against lawlessness and for freedom of press in the country,” it added.

The PFUJ has demanded that a judicial commission be set up to investigate the attack on Alam and crimes committed against other journalists, calling on parliamentarians and politicians to raise their voices for the protection of journalists.

Media persons in Pakistan continue to become targets of threats, abductions, torture, arrests, and murders. In 2020, at least 10 journalists were murdered while several others were threatened, kidnapped, tortured and arrested, while performing their professional duties.

As per the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) Media Freedom Report 2020, “No action has so far been taken against those responsible for torturing and killing journalists and it seems that such persons enjoy impunity.”

“It is a matter of grave concern that the legal system of the country has become useless in protecting and providing justice to journalists,” the report stated.

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