JournalismPakistan.com | Published May 29, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channelNEW YORK - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has welcomed the launch of a complaints mechanism for media representatives and human rights defenders ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, which will enable journalists covering the tournament and other official events to report press freedom violations directly to FIFA.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, FIFA stated that it would respond to complaints submitted through the mechanism by the commitments outlined in its Human Rights Policy and in a separate, detailed statement on human rights defenders and media representatives.
“The World Cup is about to get underway in one of the most challenging countries in which to practice journalism, and CPJ welcomes FIFA's efforts to ensure that journalists can report freely on the World Cup by launching a complaints mechanism,” said Courtney Radsch, advocacy director for CPJ. “The adoption of the mechanism is only a first step, however, as FIFA must ensure that both domestic and international journalists are aware of how to use it and that complaints are dealt with in a transparent and timely manner.”
Following the adoption of a mechanism by the International Olympic Committee in 2016, the reporting systems are indicative of an emerging norm to ensure that organizations like FIFA do more to hold host governments accountable for press freedom abuses that take place around major sporting events.
FIFA announced the mechanism weeks before the start of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and following a nearly one-year process of consultations and input from stakeholders like CPJ and other expert organizations.
“Given the dangers media has historically faced while operating in Russia, journalists planning to cover the games and their editors should familiarize themselves with the risks and take steps to mitigate them,” said CPJ Emergencies Director Maria Salazar Ferro. “CPJ will be closely monitoring safety concerns during the World Cup, and providing updated information on how journalists can protect themselves and their information as needed.”
In a 2014 special report ahead of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, CPJ found that because of both official repression and self-censorship, journalists shied away from covering sensitive issues related to the Games such as the exploitation of migrant workers, environmental destruction, and forced evictions. Journalists working in Russia routinely face physical attacks, threats, arrest, and other forms of intimidation, CPJ research shows. – A CPJ press release
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.