IFJ says Pakistan most dangerous country for journalists

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 31 December 2014

The International Federation of Journalists has labeled Pakistan as the most perilous country for journalists, highlighting the alarming rate of violence. The IFJ emphasizes the urgent need to tackle the prevailing culture of impunity affecting media personnel in the country.

Summary

BRUSSELS: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Tuesday said "Pakistan is the most dangerous country for journalists in the world. In 2014 only, 14 journalists and media workers have been killed in Pakistan and many more threatened, intimidated and attacked." The IFJ's Asia Pacific Acting Director Jane Worthington in a statement said the "situation has undoubtedly worsened due to high level of impunity for crimes against media workers. Pakistan must make immediate efforts to bring an end to the culture of impunity." Meanwhile, the IFJ strongly condemned the attack on a television reporter and his wife on December 22 in Sialkot, Pakistan. Zeeshan Shamsi, a reporter with NewsOne Television, and his wife were subjected to indiscriminate firing by three unidentified assailants. Although he escaped unhurt, his wife Saima Zeeshan was hit by two bullets on her chest. "This is an unfortunate and condemnable attack on a journalist and his family. The IFJ urges the state to immediately arrest the culprits to begin the legal course," added the statement. The Brussels-based IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries. - KUNA