Media under fire

Although this year's Freedom House review concludes that Pakistan's press freedoms have improved, it remains a very dangerous country for journalists, writes 'Dawn'

Dawn
Sunday, May 3, 2009

A report released recently by the US-based Freedom House that conducts an annual review of global press freedom has concluded that Pakistan has seen some improvement in this regard over the past year. It would be dangerously misleading to read too much into this.

The country's plummeting press freedom ratings during earlier years, particularly in 2007, was in part because of the attempt to lay curbs on the media and the forced removal of some news channels from the airwaves in the final phase of the Musharraf era. While the present government has taken steps to remove some of the restrictions, Pakistan nevertheless remains amongst the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.

The threat issued recently by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan is only the latest in a series of developments that have rendered journalism a perilous task. During the past year, the country's security situation has worsened while the political scenario has become murky; the task of journalists has become correspondingly hazardous.

The professional freedoms and personal safety of reporters and their crew have come under threat from not only the insurgents operating in various parts of the country but also the state's law-enforcement and administrative apparatus which has, at times, attempted to muzzle the press for unspecified 'security reasons'. Meanwhile, journalists have also been injured or killed in the line of duty.

Intermedia, an Islamabad-based media research organisation, notes in its recent report that 15 journalists were killed in the country over the past year -- five of them fell victim to either suicide bombings or were killed by security forces or militants. Furthermore, 35 journalists were either arrested by security forces or kidnapped by militant or unidentified groups in 11 recorded incidents.

In addition to these threats, it must be recognised that journalists face high levels of intimidation from certain political parties and power mafias that can result in often unacknowledged self-censorship. These factors seriously jeopardise press freedom in the country.

As World Press Freedom Day is celebrated today, it is sobering to realise that the expansion of the country's media industry notwithstanding, the rights and physical safety of journalists are far from being adequately protected. It is vital that the state not only refrain from intimidating journalists directly or indirectly, but also vigorously pursue and prosecute non-state groups or individuals that level threats against journalists.

Media houses, meanwhile, must ensure adequate training and insurance for journalists working in dangerous areas or under hazardous conditions.

Date Posted: 5/3/2009