Television journalists assaulted by university guards in Faisalabad

Faisalabad: On June 21, six cameramen and reporters of different TV channels were injured when the security guards of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad thrashed them. Yousaf Cheema of Samaa TV was covering news related to the expulsion of students for social media posts when the security guards snatched the camera, thrashed the crew and damaged their vehicle. Journalists from NewsOne, Dunya News, Channel 24, and ARY TV channels reached at the site when they were informed about the incident. The university’s security guards assaulted them as well. The police refused to register the case despite Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb promising an action.
In another incident on June 20, students of the Madressah Haqqania beat up Din News employees and broke their camera. The TV channel staff claimed that they were reporting on alleged electricity theft by the management. During the incident, cameraman Rashid Azeem was beaten badly. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the Madressah and the police is investigating the case.
Pakistan is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists and the impunity for crimes against journalists is taking toll on journalists as the culprits of killings and assaults on journalists walk freely.