JournalismPakistan.com | Published June 08, 2024
Join our WhatsApp channel
KARACHI—Journalist unions and press club representatives from across Sindh gathered in solidarity at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday, urging immediate actions to safeguard journalists and uphold freedom of expression in the province.
The occasion marked the unveiling of a significant report titled 'Journalism in the Shadow of Violence' by Freedom Network. Representatives from Sukkur, Khairpur, Hyderabad, and Karachi were vocal about the pressing need for intervention to protect journalists amidst growing threats.
Organized by the Sindh chapter of the Pakistan Journalists Safety Coalition (PJSC), the event aimed to advocate with policymakers for comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of journalists in the province.
Iqbal Khattak (pictured), Executive Director of Freedom Network, emphasized the report's depiction of the current state of media freedoms and journalists' safety in Sindh. Despite existing legislation, Sindh remains a hotspot for journalist safety concerns, with 184 reported incidents of violence against journalists between 2018 and 2023, including the tragic killings of ten journalists.
PJSC Sindh Chapter President, journalist Amir Lateef, expressed alarm over the escalating targeting of journalists, particularly in northern Sindh, where physical attacks have surged significantly. Emphasizing the crucial role of state support, he pledged to leverage the report's findings to advocate for governmental backing to mitigate safety risks faced by journalists.
Key demands voiced at the event included immediate empowerment of the Sindh Commission for the Protection of Journalists and other media practitioners to assist journalists in distress. Additionally, speakers highlighted the accountability of media owners for ensuring the safety of their employees and the necessity of support mechanisms for journalists facing legal and physical threats in rural Sindh.
The report also underscored the need for professional journalism and safety-related training, collaboration between the Sindh Bar Council and journalist unions to provide legal aid, and the establishment of regional offices for the Sindh Commission for the Protection of Journalists to offer comprehensive support across the province.
In conclusion, the event shed light on the challenges faced by journalists in Sindh and called for concerted efforts to protect press freedom and ensure the safety of those at the forefront of reporting critical issues in the region.
Photo: Facebook
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.