Media watchdog and PFUJ condemn manhandling of 92 News reporter

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 24 September 2015

A 92 News reporter was manhandled by railway officials and police in Karachi while reporting on illegal ticket price hikes. The incident has drawn condemnation from media organizations.

Summary

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have condemned the manhandling of a TV reporter by railway officials and police in Karachi. On September 22, Chand Nawab, a journalist with 92 News TV, and his crew were interviewing passengers at Karachi’s Cantt Station when police and railway officials heckled the crew and attacked Nawab. He was interviewing passengers regarding an illegal hike in ticket prices on the eve of Eidul Azha. The railway officials also tried to turn off his camera and threatened to arrest the crew. The incident was recorded and later uploaded on social media. According to reports, a provincial minister had taken notice of the incident and ordered an inquiry into the matter. Nawab is a well-known journalist, who inspired a character in the Indian blockbuster movie Bajrangi Bhaijan, after a blooper reel of his went viral a few years ago. The IFJ said: “The IFJ condemns the manhandling of a journalist and his crew to intimidate and disrupt their reporting. Journalists and media workers should not be attacked for simply doing their job. The IFJ urge the provincial Sindh government to immediately punish the culprits and ensure the free flow of information allowing journalists to report public issues.”

KEY POINTS:

• Chand Nawab, a 92 News journalist, was attacked during an interview at Karachi's Cantt Station.
• Police and railway officials disrupted the interview about ticket price hikes.
• The incident occurred on September 22 and was recorded and shared on social media.
• The IFJ and PFUJ have called for accountability and protection of journalists.
• A provincial minister has ordered an inquiry into the incident.