JournalismPakistan.com | Published March 06, 2017
Join our WhatsApp channel
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned an attack on a BBC TV crew by unidentified people when the media team was trying to report on a petitioner in Hunan Province.
BBC journalist John Sudworth reported on March 3 that he and his TV crew were attacked, harassed and forced to sign a statement admitting they had conducted an “illegal interview” with a petitioner. The report said a group of people blocked the way when Sudworth and the crew were going to the interviewee’s house. When the crew kept going, the unidentified people assaulted them and smashed their cameras.
The BBC crew eventually left the village but the group of about 20 people followed and surrounded them, according to Sudworth’s report. The crew saw some uniformed police officers and two officials from the local foreign affairs office among the group. The BBC team were forced to delete some of their footage and to sign a statement admitting they had conducted an “illegal interview” and were guilty of “behaviour causing a bad impact”.
According to the footage that survived, the people were abusive and attacked the crew without giving a reason. A crew member’s hand was injured and cameras were broken. Sudworth said: “For the first time in my long reporting experience in China I found myself apologising for ‘behaviour causing a bad impact’ and trying to conduct an ‘illegal interview’.”
On March 3, the National Congress of China started its two plenary meetings in Beijing. Many petitioners were either forced to stay at their homes by local government officials or agents. If they succeeded in getting to Beijing, were taken away from the city. Many government officers and agents conduct surveillance every day in Beijing. If they see any unfamiliar people, they report this to their local council or police.
Media and social media platform have also been instructed to escalate surveillance of all posted messages in order to ensure no negative information is posted. The official website of a feminist civil society organization was suddenly shut down for two weeks without any reason being given.
The IFJ said: “It is deeply worrying that government officials stand by and allow people to use violence to attack media workers when they are legitimately exercising their duties by conducting an interview with a person who had agreed to give the interview under the regulations implemented after the Olympic Games in 2008. This right has been clearly guaranteed by the State Council for almost 10 years. However, some officials have deliberately ignored the regulations and disregarded President Xi Jinping’s repeated statements that civil servants must not abuse their power.”
We urge Xu Dazhe, acting governor of Hunan, to investigate the case promptly. He should apologize to the media crew and destroy the so-called “confession” letter.
We also urge Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to investigate the case and punish the officers in Hunan who abused their power and deliberately ignored the regulations handed down by the State Council in 2008. - IFJ media 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.