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freedom crisis deepensPTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilitiesWill PECA 2025 law be repealed?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

PFUJ declares information minister's statement 'irresponsible'

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published November 27, 2021

Join our WhatsApp channel

PFUJ declares information minister's statement 'irresponsible'

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has denounced Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry's statement regarding the recent PFUJ National Convention.

The union said he should refrain from generating fake news to divert public attention from the shrinking civic space for debate, discussion, and dissent.

Reacting to the tweets and statements by Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and State Minister Farrukh Habib on holding the Freedom of Media and Freedom of Expression Convention, PFUJ President Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary-General Nasir Zaidi termed such statements as "irresponsible."

The PFUJ leaders said that PFUJ organized the event to hold an open debate on the increasing "un-announced censorship and curbs on the national media by the PTI government.

"Holding such open debates is a mandate and responsibility of the civil society," the PFUJ leaders said, adding, "No threats by any minister can deter us from pursuing our path to achieve freedom of press and freedom of expression in the country."

PFUJ leadership noted that since the inception of the PTI government, Pakistan is being viewed as a country where "democratic norms and practices" are being compromised. "Pakistan has dropped to its lowest level in the World Press Freedom Index during the last three years. It speaks volumes about the coercive policies of this government towards free media."

The union leaders suggested to the minister that instead of attacking the Media and civil society, he should improve the performance of his ministry.

"Things that should have been done by the Information Ministry like the recently passed Protection of Journalists' bill are being performed by the Human Rights Ministry. No nation can move forward without ensuring freedom of press and right of media workers."

Referring to the "baseless accusation" levelled by Fawad Chaudhry that the PFUJ convention was an "anti-government event", the PFUJ leadership advised the minister to seek "proper information" from the PTI leadership, including Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari and IT Minister Amin-ul-Haq, whom PFUJ invited to address as speakers at the convention. Besides PTI leadership, leaders from PPP, MQM, PML-Q, JUI, Jamaat-i-Islami, National Party, Awami National Party, BNP and other political parties were also invited. "It was PTI and MQM that did not attend the convention while all others were present there."

The two leaders also reminded the information minister that he himself had attended PFUJ's first National Convention held at Marriott Hotel on March 17, 2021. The then Information Minister Shibli Faraz also participated in that convention.

"Despite Fawad Chaudhry's irresponsible statements, PFUJ will continue to organize such open debates and dialogue among the political parties and the civil society to ensure that media is free from any government pressure," the statement said. "We will continue to work with the civil society to achieve our objective of freedom of speech and workers' rights."

Shahzada Zulfiqar and Nasir Zaidi said that PFUJ is always open to discussion with all the political parties, including the sitting government. "We never shied in the past from holding talks with any political party, and we remain committed to engaging with them," the joint statement said. "The Information Minister needs to know that we had sat with the government and the Parliament in finalizing the Protection of Journalists and Media Workers Bill besides engaging with the ministers."

Photo: Twitter (@fawadchaudhry)

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.