our correspondent
KARACHI
Media practitioners have developed consensus to devise safety protocols for media houses and journalists to promote safer journalism in Pakistan. This consensus was developed during a consultative meeting tilted media safety protocols, jointly organized by Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and Islamabad based media development organization Freedom Network.
The speakers while raising concerns upon insufficient awareness on media safety protocols urged CPNE, APNS, PBA, PFUJ, UJs & other stake holders to unite for media freedom as it was under immense pressure in these due to increased self-censorship.
They emphasized that media safety protocols for media houses, journalists and media workers should be formulated at earliest and would be implemented in its letter and spirit.
Speakers emphasized on integrated efforts for the close alliance and coordination among all media stake holders including APNS, CPNE, PBA, PFUJ and UJs for the sake of safety and freedom of media.
They observed that the prime responsibility of media safety was upon the State and governments but unfortunately they were involved in curtailing the media.
Participants regretted that the media safety and freedom had been kept in abeyance due to the influx of non-professional approached stake holders in media sector.
Speakers said that the journalists and media workers were the strength of media houses as they led movements for media houses whenever they got into trouble on the hands of state. Hence media owners should address the issues of media workers on priority basis.
They observed that media houses had become weak before government since their journalists and media practitioners facing severe financial crises; therefore it needed to be resolved.
A Media Development Professional Mr. Adnan Rehmat in his presentation pointed out that over 127 journalists were murdered in Pakistan since 2000; while 33 killed during last six years and out of them 23 belonged to print media.
He suggested that APNS, CPNE, PBA, PFUJ and other media stake holders should formulate their own safety protocols instead of allowing regulators to impose their agenda. Mr. Rehmat advised that media practitioners and media houses should devise safety protocols and share with government as various states had comply with UN Plan of Action on Media Safety.
CPNE’s secretary general Dr. Jabbar Khattak, senior journalists Mazhar Abbas, Mubashir Zaidi, Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Muhammad Iqbal Khattak, Dr. Waqar Yousuf Azeemi, Aamer Mahmood, Imtiaz Khan Faran, Tariq Abul Hasan, Syed Hasan Abbas, Shaherbano Syed, Abdul Razaq Sarohi, Aajiz Jamali and other spoke on the occasion.
