Journalists protest targeting of Pakistani media

Journalists held demonstrations and press clubs remained closed across Pakistan on Monday in protest of the recent killing of three media workers, and the failure by the security services to hold anyone to account for their deaths.
Journalists held demonstrations and press clubs remained closed across Pakistan on Monday in protest of the recent killing of three media workers, and the failure by the security services to hold anyone to account for their deaths.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) led the call for protests, and press clubs hoisted black flags above their buildings while union members took part in demonstrations.
The action follows the killing of Online News Agency bureau chief, Irshad Ahmed Mastoi, reporter Abdul Rasool and accountant Mohammad Younis, who were killed in an attack on their office on August 28 in Quetta, Balochistan. Mastoi was also the secretary general of the Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ).
Some 60 press clubs in Balochistan closed their doors on Monday, while others across the country showed solidarity by remaining shut for around five hours.
Protestors expressed concerns over the general security conditions facing journalists in Pakistan, and the continuing rise of impunity which contributes to worsening safety issues. They criticised the lack of action over the killings and called for the establishment of a judicial commission to thoroughly investigate the murders and bring those responsible to justice.

Posthumous award for Pakistani journalist
On Tuesday, the Rural Media Network Pakistan (RMNP) announced that their annual “Sadiq Press Freedom Award” would be awarded to the former president of the Miranshah press club, Malik Mumtaz Khan, who was murdered in February 2013.
Khan is the first journalist from a tribal area to be nominated for the award, which is sponsored by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA).
President of the RMNP, Ehsan Ahmed Sehar said: “The recognition of Malik Mumtaz Khan for the award is a symbol of struggle for the right of information and a reminder to international community about the tragic conditions Pakistan has been suffering since the war on terror after 9/11 attacks.”
Khan was gunned down by unidentified gunmen who attacked him from their vehicle as he walked home. Noone has been held responsible for his murder, although Sehar said that the journalist had been receiving threats from militant groups before his death. He noted that pressure from various factors, whether government agencies, tribal leaders or extremist groups, has made working as a journalist a difficult and dangerous challenge, with media workers striving to strike a balance between producing quality, unbiased reporting and self-preservation.
Attack on TV station
In the latest attack on a media outlet in Pakistan, the offices of Geo Television were once again targeted this week according to reports.
RMNP reported that activists from Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) attacked the premises of Geo Television, which also house dailies The News, and Jang.
Windscreens of vehicles were smashed before the protestors entered the building, but noone was hurt in the attack.
The News reported that the premises have been targeted in some way at least 20 times over the past week.
PFUJ officials condemned the ongoing targeting of Geo and the intimidation of journalists, calling on security officials to offer adequate protection to members of the media amidst the continuing political strife in Pakistan.
Earlier this month, protestors stormed the offices of state broadcaster PTV, forcing the channel off the air for a number of hours until security forces cleared the building.
Sources: DCMF, RMNP

Posted on DCMF Website