JournalismPakistan.com | Published October 19, 2024 at 10:33 am | JP Special Report
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ISLAMABAD—In a shocking display of apathy, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and other journalist bodies stand accused of disregarding the rapidly deteriorating state of press freedom in the country. As media violations soar to unprecedented levels, with at least 12 significant incidents reported in recent months, the silence of these organizations is not just deafening; it's devastating.
The latest in a string of alarming incidents involves Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari's thinly veiled threat to journalists before Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's press conference. Bukhari's warning, "If anyone in the press conference today tries and creates a nuisance, or makes noise or misbehaves, I won't spare them," sends a chilling message to the journalistic community. Yet, the PFUJ's response has been conspicuously absent.
Another equally alarming incident is the forced resignation of prominent anchor Samina Pasha from GNN. Pasha cited pressure from unnamed sources unhappy with her analysis. Pasha's choice to maintain her integrity by quitting rather than changing her stance is a stark reminder of journalists' daily pressures. Once again, the silence from journalist bodies is palpable.
The harassment of female journalists has reached new heights, with high-profile cases like Shifa Yousafzai and Asma Chaudhry battling false rumors and personal attacks. These incidents not only highlight the toxic environment for women in media but also underscore the urgent need for robust support systems that the PFUJ and other bodies seem reluctant to provide.
Violence against media personnel has escalated, with religious party workers in Karachi physically attacking journalists and damaging equipment. Investigative journalist Azaz Syed faced threats from religious party leaders. Yet, concrete actions from journalist unions to protect their members are nowhere to be seen.
The political turmoil in the country has further endangered journalists, with many caught in the crossfire during protests and unjustly detained. The inconsistent application of social media regulations, exemplified by government officials using banned platforms, adds another layer of complexity to a challenging environment for journalists.
Perhaps most alarming is the targeting of senior journalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with some being wrongfully added to terrorism watch lists for their work. The arrest and jailing of journalist Ehsan Naseem for conducting an interview critical of state policies is a clear indicator of the lengths to which authorities will go to suppress free speech.
In the face of these violations, the PFUJ's inaction is disappointing; it betrays the principles it claims to uphold. As Pakistan's primary defender of press freedom, the PFUJ's failure to mount a robust response to these threats raises serious questions about its effectiveness and commitment to its mandate.
The closure of media offices, leaving scores of journalists unemployed, further highlights the precarious state of the industry. Yet, where do the unions' voices advocate for job security and fair treatment?
The PFUJ and other journalist bodies must recognize that their silence in the face of such blatant attacks on press freedom is tantamount to complicity. Their primary responsibility is to protect and advocate for the rights of journalists, not to maintain a comfortable status quo with those in power. The time for symbolic condemnations has passed. It is high time for these unions to wake from their slumber and take decisive action.
As we stand at this critical juncture, the question remains: Will the PFUJ and other journalist bodies finally break their silence and take meaningful action, or will they continue to be passive observers as press freedom in Pakistan crumbles? The integrity of journalism in Pakistan hangs in the balance, and the clock is ticking.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.