Journalism Pakistan
Journalism Pakistan
Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket فتح بھی پاکستان کرکٹ کے ڈھانچے کی تباہی نہیں چھپا سکتیJournalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude صحافیوں کا بجٹ کے بعد کی بریفنگ سے واک آؤٹ، حکومت کے توہین آمیز رویے پر احتجاجLegal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar ڈاکٹر نعمان نیاز کی جانب سے شعیب اختر کو ہتکِ عزت کا نوٹسHRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties ایچ آر سی پی کا پی ای سی اے کے مکمل خاتمے کا مطالبہ، آزادی اظہار اور شہری آزادیوں کے لیے خطرہ قرارPFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice پی ایف یو جے کا صحافی سید محمد شاہ کے قتل کی مذمت، قاتل کی فوری گرفتاری کا مطالبہState within a state? Police block reinstated Jang employees from resuming duties ریاست کے اندر ریاست؟ جنگ گروپ کے بحال شدہ ملازمین کو دفتر جانے سے روک دیا گیاMoeed Pirzada to report journalist Fakhar Durrani to FBI over alleged data theft معروف صحافی معید پیرزادہ کا فخر درانی کے خلاف ایف بی آئی کو رپورٹ کرنے کا فیصلہ

PPF calls on federal and Balochistan governments to accept responsibility for safety of journalists

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published November 02, 2017

Join our WhatsApp channel

PPF calls on federal and Balochistan governments to accept responsibility for safety of journalists

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) has called on the federal and the Balochistan governments and the security forces to take urgent steps to end the climate of fear and insecurity prevailing among media workers in the province.

The PPF report on International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Media that is commemorated every year on November 2, stressed that the long-awaited draft of the bill for the safety of media workers must place primary responsibility for providing a safe environment for media squarely on the Government of Pakistan and provincial governments.  

The PPF hoped that the safety bill will include effective measures to hold government and law enforcement officials responsible for the proper investigation, and prosecution for crimes against media workers and organizations.

 The report by PPF, Pakistan’s oldest press freedom monitoring organization, lamented that Pakistan journalists are murdered, killed, detained, abducted, harassed and threatened by law enforcement and intelligence agencies, militants, tribal elders and feudal lords, and even political and religious parties that claim to promote democracy and the rule of law. Media houses and media persons are not only being targeted but threatened, pressured, intimidated and harassed by the state and non-state elements.

The safety situation for media in Balochistan took a turn for worse in October as journalists and media organizations came under attack in the restive Balochistan province, with three separate incidents reported since October 25 after the ultimatum ended by militant groups.

The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), a banned militant outfit, claimed responsibility for all three attacks. It had published an ultimatum and warning to media organizations and professionals in the province of dire consequences on October 13.

Journalists are insecure not just in Balochistan and other conflict areas but in all parts of the country, as was evident by the October 27 murderous attack on investigative journalist Ahmed Noorani by unidentified men in broad daylight at a busy intersection in Islamabad.

Noorani’s car was intercepted by six assailants riding on three motorbikes. Three men got down from their unmarked motorcycle after chasing down Noorani's car while another three joined in and severely beat up Noorani and his driver with sharp objects after throwing out the keys from the ignition. The attackers later escaped on motorcycles.

Earlier in the year on February 12, 2017, Taimor Abbas, who worked as an assistant cameraman at Samaa TV, a private news channel, was killed in Karachi as the channel’s Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) van was fired upon by unknown assailants. The team was en route for coverage of an attack on police when it was targeted.

The 22-year old Abbas was shot in the head and the chest and succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Raja Umar Khattab, an official of the Counter Terrorism Department, said that the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Of the 73 cases of killing of media practitioners since 2002, there have been convictions in only five cases. The report states that lack of interest by the federal and provincial governments as well as employers in pursuing legal cases of violence against journalists is the main reason to the unacceptably high level of impunity for crimes against media.  The cases languish in courts for years before they are closed for non-prosecution.

The report said that the problem of impunity is further exacerbated by the fact that in Pakistan almost all crimes, including murder, can be withdrawn if the assailants or family members reach a compromise after payment of blood money. PPF has so far documented four cases where court proceedings were withdrawn because of agreements between the accused and families of the victims. 

PPF called for the appointment of special prosecutors on violence against media at the federal and provincial levels to investigate and prosecute cases of violence against journalists and media workers. - PPF media release/Image courtesy: International Federation of Journalists

Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket

Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket

 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.

Journalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude

Journalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude

 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.

Legal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar

Legal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar

 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.

HRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties

HRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties

 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.

PFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice

PFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice

 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.

State within a state? Police block reinstated Jang employees from resuming duties

State within a state? Police block reinstated Jang employees from resuming duties

 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.

PFUJ slams Jang Group's 'economic massacre' after mass firing of over 80 workers

PFUJ slams Jang Group's 'economic massacre' after mass firing of over 80 workers

 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.

Labor rights trampled: Daily Jang defies court, terminates over 80 employees

Labor rights trampled: Daily Jang defies court, terminates over 80 employees

 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.

Newsroom
219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, PJS reports

219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, PJS reports

 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.

Pakistan's Flying Horse: How Samiullah Khan changed hockey forever

Pakistan's Flying Horse: How Samiullah Khan changed hockey forever

 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.

Algerian TV channel suspended for 10 days over racist slur against African migrants

Algerian TV channel suspended for 10 days over racist slur against African migrants

 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.

NCHR and MMfD launch Fellowship to Empower Journalists on Digital Rights & Gender Inclusion

NCHR and MMfD launch Fellowship to Empower Journalists on Digital Rights & Gender Inclusion

 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!

'In A Different Realm' offers a philosophical take on cricket's greatest innings

'In A Different Realm' offers a philosophical take on cricket's greatest innings

 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.​