JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 05, 2024 | JP Staff Reporter
Join our WhatsApp channelISLAMABAD—Freedom Network, an international award-winning Pakistani civil liberties organization focused on defending freedom of expression and promoting diversity in media, has issued an official statement addressing the recent public controversy arising from an event it supported in Peshawar. The event, held on June 26, 2024, aimed to launch a special report on the state of media in Pakistan's merged tribal districts.
The controversy began after an award-winning journalist, representing women media practitioners, shared her experiences from the event on her social media account. The journalist, who was part of a panel discussion focusing on the challenges faced by journalists from the tribal districts, alleged harassment during the event. Her post on Facebook, which included a short clip featuring her and her spouse's photos, elicited numerous responses, amplifying the perceived scale of harassment.
Freedom Network wishes to clarify that the event, hosted jointly by the KP Chapter of Pakistan Journalists Safety Coalition (PJSC) and Freedom Network, included prominent guests such as Muhammad Ali Saif, the government advisor on information to the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and provincial minister Adnan Qadri. The panel discussion, moderated by journalist Adnan Rehmat, featured esteemed speakers from the media community. She was an official invitee in a panel of discussion.
During the discussion, the journalist spoke about the difficulties women journalists face in the tribal districts, including gender disparities and challenges in joining press clubs. Her comments led to a heated exchange with the President of Peshawar Press Club (PPC), who defended the club's record of supporting women members. The situation required intervention from the moderator and Advisor Saif to ensure the journalist could complete her presentation.
After the panel concluded, Freedom Network's Executive Director, Iqbal Khattak, addressed the audience, urging the PPC President to consider the journalist's membership application, which he affirmed. Despite the subsequent cordial interactions and support from the audience, the journalist's social media post painted a partial picture of the event, leading to misconceptions about the nature and extent of the alleged harassment.
Freedom Network emphasized its commitment to supporting media diversity and freedom of expression. It said that the organization regularly collaborates with women journalists and advocates for better representation and conditions for them within the media industry. Freedom Network also acknowledges the crucial role of press clubs and unions in promoting press freedom and journalist safety, especially in conflict-prone areas like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The organization stands by its partners, including the Peshawar Press Club, Khyber Union of Journalists, and Tribal Union of Journalists, and reaffirms its dedication to fostering a more inclusive and representative media landscape. The event's outcomes, including government commitments to journalist safety legislation, highlight the need for continued collaboration to strengthen Pakistan's media industry.
Freedom Network calls for an open dialogue to address differences and work towards a more vibrant, diverse, and sustainable media environment, encouraging greater participation of women journalists in the field.
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.