Journalism Pakistan
Journalism Pakistan
PFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalismHum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI toolsEnhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory adsBlogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepensPTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilitiesWill PECA 2025 law be repealed? PFUJ begins a legal battleDefying threats: Munizae Jahangir's story reveals what it costs to be a woman journalist in PakistanIndia revokes nonprofit and tax status of news outletsUkraine's security service opens criminal case after Ukrainska Pravda reportTwo Cambodian journalists detained over cyber scam torture videoThe Olympic Games: A timeless testament to human excellence and unity

Global report showcases Pakistan fightback against assaults on journalists and media freedom

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published November 21, 2017

Join our WhatsApp channel

Global report showcases Pakistan fightback against assaults on journalists and media freedom

ISLAMABAD - A new global report showcasing how countries like Pakistan are combating impunity of crimes against journalists worldwide was launched to much acclaim here Tuesday.

According to a press release, several parliamentarians, ambassadors, rights activists and senior journalists sought government, media, and civil society partnerships to protect freedom of expression in Pakistan.

The report, “Defending Journalism – Global Best Practices,” commissioned by UNESCO and produced by European organization International Media Support (IMS) showcased success stories about how journalists and media support groups are leading a determined fight against an assault on media freedoms globally, including in Pakistan.



The report highlighted Pakistani mechanisms that have won recognition internationally such as the Pakistan Journalists Safety Fund (PJSF), Editors for Safety (EfS), Press Clubs Safety Hubs Network (SHN) and Pakistan Coalition on Media Safety (PCOMS).

The leading speakers included Senators Farhatullah Babar and Afrasiab Khattak, Ambassadors of Norway Tore Nedrebo, Sweden Ingrid Johannson, UNESCO Director General Vibeke Jensen, senior intellectuals and journalists I. A. Rehman, Adnan Rehmat, Mazhar Abbas, Iqbal Khattak, Nasir Malik, Hamid Mir, Asma Shirazi, Amber Shamsi, Aoun Sahi and others. International media experts Lars Bestle, Toby Mendel and Ranga Kalansooriya as well as dozens of media and political rights activists also attended and participated.

Farhatullah Babar called for urgent enactment of a law on safety of journalists based on the principles of combating impunity, protecting journalists and welfare of the heirs of fallen media persons.

Afrasiab Khattak equated attacks on journalists as an assault on democracy. I. A. Rehman urged the political parties to fulfill their duty by helping the journalists to remain safe guardians of public interest. Adnan Rehmat urged partnerships between media, government, parliament and civil society to prevent erosions of freedom of expression.

Iqbal Khattak urged solidarity among key stakeholders to strengthen media freedoms.

Norwegian Ambassador Tore Nedrebo said continuing attacks on journalists and pressures on online media practitioners put a question mark on the quality of democracy and urged stakeholders to strengthen freedom of expression.

Swedish Ambassador Ingrid Johansson said the Nordic and European states support Pakistan’s journey of great democracy saying progress on this is linked to protection and strengthening of freedom of expression.

UNESCO Executive Director Vibeke Jensen said Pakistan has committed to reporting on progress in combating impunity of crimes against journalists but sadly has failed to do and urged Islamabad to fulfill its international obligations.

The landmark report, assessing the progress of countries on implementation of the 2012 UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and issues of Impunity generated a great deal of interest among the participants of the National Conference on Media Safety conducted by Freedom Network, Pakistani media rights organization, in collaboration with International Media Support organization.

The report is a comparative analysis of successful practices in seven countries on how national mechanisms in various countries are protecting journalists and media freedoms and addressing the issue of impunity.

Pakistan is one of the most dangerous places on the planet to practice journalism. Over 120 have been killed in the line of duty since 2000 and over 2,000 of the country’s 20,000 journalists have been assaulted, injured, kidnapped, arrested or seriously intimidated in this period. The Pakistan government is currently drafting a bill on the safety of journalists to combat impunity of crimes against journalists and information practitioners.

Photo: (Facebook - Adnan Rehmat)

PFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalism

PFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalism

 February 11, 2025:  The PFUJ has petitioned the Islamabad High Court to suspend the PECA Amendment Act, arguing that the law curtails press freedom and contains contradictory provisions. The court has issued a notice to the Attorney General for assistance.

Hum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools

Hum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools

 February 09, 2025:  Hum News Network becomes the first Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, enhancing productivity and innovation. Discover how this visionary move sets new standards in media.

Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory ads

Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory ads

 February 08, 2025:  As Pakistan faces an economic crisis, the government splurges taxpayers' money on full-page ads and press releases to glorify its achievements. Critics call it a wasteful PR stunt. Read how public funds are being misused for political propaganda.

PTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilities

PTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilities

 February 07, 2025:  PTV pensioners staged nationwide protests demanding their unpaid pensions, medical benefits, and dues for nearly 400 retirees. Protesters, supported by PFUJ, criticized PTV management for corruption and lavish expenses while neglecting retirees' rights.

Will PECA 2025 law be repealed? PFUJ begins a legal battle

Will PECA 2025 law be repealed? PFUJ begins a legal battle

 February 06, 2025:  PFUJ has challenged the controversial PECA Act 2025 in the Islamabad High Court, citing it as an attack on press freedom. Journalists and rights organizations protest the law’s implications for free speech and media independence in Pakistan.

Defying threats: Munizae Jahangir's story reveals what it costs to be a woman journalist in Pakistan

Defying threats: Munizae Jahangir's story reveals what it costs to be a woman journalist in Pakistan

 February 06, 2025:  Pakistani women journalists like Munizae Jahangir and Asma Shirazi face severe threats, harassment, and online abuse. This article explores the struggles of women in media, the systemic challenges, and potential solutions to ensure press freedom and journalist safety.

Contrasting paths:  White House welcomes digital media, Pakistan crushes it

Contrasting paths: White House welcomes digital media, Pakistan crushes it

 January 29, 2025:  As the White House welcomes podcasters and digital journalists, Pakistan tightens censorship through PECA amendments, silencing independent voices and forcing journalists into exile. A stark contrast in press freedom emerges.

PECA amendments further tighten government's grip on digital expression: IFJ

PECA amendments further tighten government's grip on digital expression: IFJ

 January 29, 2025:  Pakistan’s latest PECA amendments expand government control over social media, criminalize misinformation, and threaten freedom of expression. Media stakeholders and human rights groups condemn the draconian changes. Learn more about the implications for journalists and activists.

Newsroom
Enhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025

Enhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025

 February 09, 2025 The Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025 is open for applications! This prestigious program at Columbia University offers journalists an intensive seminar on trauma reporting, media ethics, and responsible journalism. Apply by March 3, 2025.

Blogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepens

Blogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepens

 February 07, 2025 Mozambican journalist Albino Sibia was killed while filming police brutality, and reporter Pedro Junior was shot covering his funeral. Arlindo Chissale remains missing. These attacks highlight the dire state of press freedom in Mozambique amid post-election unrest.

India revokes nonprofit and tax status of news outlets

India revokes nonprofit and tax status of news outlets

 February 05, 2025 The Committee to Protect Journalists urges the Indian government to stop targeting independent journalism after revoking the nonprofit and tax-exempt statuses of The Reporters’ Collective and The File. Learn how this impacts investigative reporting and media freedom in India.

Ukraine's security service opens criminal case after Ukrainska Pravda report

Ukraine's security service opens criminal case after Ukrainska Pravda report

 February 04, 2025 Ukraine’s security service (SBU) has opened a criminal case for disclosure of state secrets following Ukrainska Pravda’s report on statements by military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. CPJ urges authorities to respect press freedom and journalist protections.

Two Cambodian journalists detained over cyber scam torture video

Two Cambodian journalists detained over cyber scam torture video

 February 03, 2025 Cambodian journalists Duong Akhara and Lay Socheat have been detained on incitement charges after publishing a video allegedly showing torture in a cyberscam center. Press freedom advocates call for their immediate release.