Dawn highlights the perils of journalism in Pakistan, calls for an end to impunity

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published last year

ISLAMABAD—In an editorial published on Friday, Dawn highlighted the perilous environment for journalists in Pakistan following the murder of journalist Khalil Jibran. The paper stated, "There is a wide variety of actors who do not want journalists reporting on what they do. These range from militants, criminal gangs, and local 'influentials' to elements within the state apparatus unhappy with those who ask too many questions, even if it is in the public and national interest."

Khalil Jibran's vehicle was ambushed in Landi Kotal, Khyber district, on Tuesday, resulting in his tragic death. In recent months, he had been receiving threats, underscoring the dangers faced by journalists in the region.

The editorial lamented that, in addition to threats and deadly violence, journalists also endure 'lawfare', with cases often filed against them on flimsy grounds. "Calls to create a safer environment for journalists have failed to move the state into taking substantive action," the paper noted.

Dawn called for an end to the culture of impunity for state and non-state actors involved in violence against journalists. "The government needs to investigate the murder of Khalil Jibran and all other media personnel killed for their work and bring the perpetrators to justice," the editorial urged.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), four media personnel were killed in May alone, and many others faced various forms of violence. Since 1992, 64 journalists have been killed in Pakistan in connection with their work, though other counts suggest the number is closer to 100. Pakistan ranks 11th on the CPJ's Global Impunity Index, highlighting the grim reality that those who kill or harm journalists in the country are rarely caught.

Photo: AFP