Pakistan expels NYT journalist

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 11 May 2013

Pakistan has expelled NYT Bureau Chief Declan Walsh, prompting condemnation from the Committee to Protect Journalists. Bob Dietz emphasized the need for press freedom, especially during elections.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s decision to expel New York Times Bureau Chief Declan Walsh has drawn condemnation from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a US-based media watchdog.

Bob Dietz, coordinator of CPJ’s Asia Program has asked the Pakistan interim government to reverse its decision.

"The expulsion of Declan Walsh shows just how much the authorities fear independent media coverage," he said.

The decision to expel Walsh came on the eve of general elections.

"The vagueness and the late night delivery of the expulsion order smack of a need to intimidate foreign and local journalists on the eve of historic elections that could herald the growth of democracy in Pakistan. Instead, Walsh's expulsion only mars the event, and undercuts hopes for a free press," Dietz said in a statement.

Walsh was handed a two-sentence letter accusing him of unspecified "undesirable activities" and ordering him to leave.

KEY POINTS:

• Declan Walsh expelled by Pakistan government
• Committee to Protect Journalists condemns decision
• Expulsion order delivered late at night
• Authorities aim to intimidate journalists
• Event coincides with upcoming general elections