Prominent Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko shot, killed in Kiev

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published May 30, 2018

NEW YORK - The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the killing in Kiev of Arkady Babchenko, a well-known Russian journalist who had immigrated to Ukraine after he and his family received multiple threats, according to news reports.

According to the Moscow-based independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, where he had worked until 2011 as a war correspondent, Babchenko was shot in the back at the entrance of his Kiev home by an unknown assailant or assailants. His wife found him covered in blood and called an ambulance, but Babchenko died of his wounds on the way to the hospital, the newspaper reported.

"We call on Ukrainian authorities to thoroughly, effectively, and independently investigate the killing of Arkady Babchenko, and to find all those responsible for this brutal, silencing crime," CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova said. "Babchenko was well known for his critical journalism, and authorities must consider his murder as an attack on press freedom."

At least one journalist has been murdered in Ukraine in the past two years in direct retaliation for his work. Prominent journalist Pavel Sheremet was killed in Kiev on July 20, 2016, when an explosive device detonated under the car he was driving. No one has been convicted of the crime.

Babchenko, 41, was veteran of the First Chechen War who had specialized in covering conflict after his discharge from the military. He covered such conflicts as the 2008 Russia-Georgia war over South Ossetia and the 2010 inter-ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan for Novaya Gazeta and other publications. He was a sharp critic of Russia's annexation of Crimea and its intervention in east Ukraine, according to press reports. He left Russia for Prague in February 2017 after receiving threats and moved to Ukraine in August with his family.

Babchenko had since October 2017 worked in Kiev as a television anchor of the program, "Prime: Babchenko," airing on the Crimean Tatar channel ATR, news reports said. - A CPJ statement

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

 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

 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

 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

 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

 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

 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

 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.