Capital TV news anchor harassed at work, allegedly forced to resign

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 14 October 2016

Fiza Khan, a news anchor at Capital TV, has resigned allegedly due to harassment by senior staff. The IFJ and PFUJ have condemned the incident and called for an investigation.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have condemned the harassment of a female television news anchor and demanded immediate investigation into the incident. Fiza Khan, a news presenter for the Urdu-language Capital TV Islamabad, was allegedly forced to resign after being harassed by senior staff at the station. Fiza approached the PFUJ to file a complaint and said that working conditions at the TV station were intolerable. PFUJ has offered their full support to her. The IFJ said: “Violence against women is a worldwide epidemic underpinned by disrespect and a sense of entitlement. It cannot be tolerated in any workplace. Women remain underrepresented in the media in Pakistan, and the prevalence of gender-based harassment in the media workforce is one major reason for their scarcity. We urge Capital TV to investigate this case and dismiss those responsible. Female journalists must be made to feel safe and secure in their line of work, and those perpetrating acts of violence must be reprimanded.” - IFJ media release

KEY POINTS:

• Fiza Khan was allegedly forced to resign due to harassment.
• The IFJ and PFUJ demand an immediate investigation.
• There is a prevalent culture of gender-based harassment in Pakistani media.
• Support for Fiza Khan has been extended by PFUJ.
• Safety and security for female journalists must be ensured.