Amidst impassioned and first hand accounts of impact of the murder of journalists in Pakistan, members of the civil society, journalists and media bodies gathered on November 26 for the launch of Pakistan Press Foundation’s (PPF) ‘Guidelines for Documenting and Confronting Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. 

The report tracks gaps in the judicial process for the murder of journalists in Pakistan. PPF found that of the 76 cases where journalists were killed — either in targeted killings or while assignment — since 2002, there have been convictions in only five instances. 

The report found that impunity plagues progress in cases against those behind the murder of journalists. PPF looked at case studies of some of the murder cases to highlight the various outcomes in murder cases including: convictions, settlements via blood money, reinvestigations, classes categorized as ‘A-Class’ or remaining shrouded in mystery. 

Additionally, PPF has presented a set of recommendations which it believes can help tackle the culture of impunity that surrounds murders of journalists and help reduce the lack of progress in investigations in such cases.

Kickstarting the launch, PPF Secretary General Owais Aslam Ali lamented that in Pakistan, if you murder a journalist, you are able to roam free. 

He expressed hope that the Commission finally formed under the Sindh Protection of Journalists and other Media Professionals Act 2021 would be effective. He urged journalists to make use of the law and expressed hope that the Commission under the federal level law is also formed. 

Fauzia Dahar, the sister of Shan Dahar, Bureau Chief of Abb Takk Television channel in Larkana district of Sindh who was shot by armed men and taken to a local hospital where he remained unattended until his passing on January 1, 2014, addressed the audience presenting a heartbreaking first hand account. 

Dahar noted that the police had ruined her brother’s case by not properly investigating it and she shared the lack of solidarity she had received in pursuing the case from Shan’s former employers, Abb Takk Television.

Dahar said that after her brother’s death she was told by the network that here (in Pakistan), journalists are murdered daily, how many could they help. She was also told that she was there so what did they need to do? 

She questioned that while in 20 years, the safety legislation may lead to progress, how many journalists would be lost in that time? 

In another passionate account, Salman Zubair, son of Zubair Mujahid, the daily Jang who was shot dead on November 23, 2007 while traveling on a motorcycle with another journalist in Mirpurkhas, Sindh, shared his family’s ordeal after his father’s murder.

He thanked PPF and international organization, Free Press Unlimited, for their support, in his father’s case. 

Addressing the event, senior journalist and editor Ghazalah Fasih noted the challenges journalists face, in particular women journalists. She said that while journalists are the eyes of the society, impunity in crimes against the media prevails. 

Senior journalist Mubasher Bukhari said that when a journalist is murdered it is not just a physical loss of that individual but a societal murder that takes place. He noted that over the years, the gagging of the media has become more intense. 

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Assistant Secretary General Aamir Latif said that what was required to tackle the culture of impunity in the murder of journalists, was one example in which culprits were deprived impunity. 

Geo News Bureau Chief and Karachi Union of Journalists General Secretary Faheem Siddiqui commended the work being done by PPF and noted that such organizations are doing the work that the media should be doing. 

In a noteworthy mention, as a member of the Sindh Commission for Protection of Journalists and other Media Professionals, Siddiqui assured Fauzia Dahar that the case of her brother will be included in the first agenda for the Commission. 

Ends/PPF

The post PPF launches guidelines for documenting and confronting impunity for crimes against journalists first appeared on Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).

درخواست جمع کرانے کی آخری تاریخ جمعہ،27فروری،2020

پاکستان پریس فاوٗنڈیشن (پی پی ایف)نے پاکستان میں میڈیا کی آزادی اور حفاظت   کے فیلو شپ پروگرام کے لیے درخواستیں وصول کرنے کا اعلان کردیا۔

اس فیلو شپ پروگرام کا مقصد آزادی اظہار رائے کو فروغ دینا اور میڈیا کارکنان کو مدد فراہم کرناہے تاکہ وہ میڈیا کی آزادی اور صحافیوں کے تحفظ سے متعلق مسائل پر رپورٹس تیار کرسکیں ۔

اس فیلوشپ پروگرام میں دو ورک شاپس منعقد کی جائیں گی اور اس کے ساتھ ادارتی اور تکنیکی تعاون بھی دیا جائے گا تاکہ میڈیا کارکنان کی حفاظت پر ،اخلاقی ، قانونی ور پیشہ ورانہ صحافت کے بہتر ین معیار  کے مطابق رپور ٹس تیار کی جائیں۔منتخب افراد میں سے ہر فرد کو فیلوشپ پروگرام کے دوران چھ رپورٹس تیار کرنا ہوں  گی۔ان افراد کو زیادہ ترجیح دی جائے گی جو صحافیوں کو قتل یا زخمی کیے جانے کے مخصوص واقعات پر تفتیشی رپورٹنگ کریں۔

منتخب افراد کو سینیئر صحافیوں کی معاونت میں رکھا جائے گا جو اس فیلو شپ پروگرام کی مدت تک ان افراد کے ایڈیٹر کے فرائض انجام دیں گے۔

صحافی جو پرنٹ،ٹیلی ویژن،ریڈیو یا آن لائن میڈیا میں کم سے کم تین سال کا تجربہ رکھتے ہیں وہ اس پروگرام کے لیے درخواست دے سکتےہیں۔خواتین صحافیوں کی درخواست جمع کروانے کی حوصلہ افزائی کی جائے گی۔

بلوچستان،فاٹا،گلگت بلتستان اور آزاد کشمیر سے تعلق رکھنے والے صحافیوں کے لیےاہلیت کی بنا پر شرائط میں نرمی رکھی جاسکتی ہے۔

اس فیلوشپ پروگرام کی مدت تین ماہ ہے اور اس پروگرام میں منتخب افراد کو ساٹھ ہزار روپے(60,000)ادا کیے جائیں گے۔

،درخواست گزار کے لیے درج ذیل کاغذات بھیجنا ضروری ہی

حالیہ تصویر کے ساتھ CV

 درخواست فارم

 پروپوزل فارم

تین لنکس /شائع کردہ یا نشر شدہ رپورٹس

پر بھیجیئے۔  fellowships@pakistanpressfoundation.org درخواست

درخواستیں جمع کروانے کی آخری تاریخ جمعہ 27فروری 2020ہے۔آخری تاریخ گزرنے کے بعد موصول ہونے والی درخواستوں پر عمل نہیں کیا جائے گا۔

پروپوزل فارم کے لیے کلک کریں

درخوست فارم کے لیے کلک کریں

English translation

Last date: Thursday, February 27, 2020

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) has issued a call for applications for Fellowship program on
Media Safety and Impunity in Pakistan.

The fellowship program aims to promote freedom of expression by providing support to media professionals to produce stories related to issues on Media Safety and Impunity.

The fellowship programs will include two capacity building workshops as well as editorial and technical support to produce reports on safety of media practitioners that meet professional, ethical and legal best practices in journalism. Each selected fellow will have to produce up to six stories during this fellowship program. Preference will be given to fellows who will commit to investigating impunity for specific cases of journalists killed or injured.

Selected fellows will be paired with senior journalist who will act as fellowship editor during the period of fellowship program.

Journalists having minimum experience of three years working for print, television, radio and online media can apply for the fellowship program.

The criteria for journalists from Baluchistan, FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir may be relaxed for otherwise qualified applicants. Female journalists are encouraged to apply.

The duration of the fellowship is three months and the amount for the fellowship is sixty thousand rupees.

Applicants must send:

• Professional resume/CV with recent photograph
• Story proposal form for stories (for story proposal form click here)
• Application form (For application form click here)
• Three links/samples of published or broadcast pieces.
• Applications should be sent to fellowships@pakistanpressfoundation.org

The deadline for submitting applications is Thursday, February 27, 2020. Applications received after the due date will not be entertained.

Urdu translation

Last date for receiving applications:   Sunday January 5, 2020

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) invites applications for the 7th batch of PPF Investigative Reporting Fellowships.

The fellowships facilitate Pakistani journalists to produce investigative report that meet the professional, ethical and legal standards. PPF will provide support to journalists, to professionally investigate and report on issues relating to human rights, transparency, environment, inequity, governance and corruption.

The fellowships will include capacity building workshops as well as editorial and technical support.   Selected participants will work under the supervision of a senior journalist who will act as fellowship editor. Each fellow will be expected to produce up to six stories during this fellowship program.

Journalists with a minimum experience of three years working for print, television, radio and online media can apply for the fellowships.

The criteria for journalists from Baluchistan, FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir may be relaxed for otherwise qualified applicants. Female journalists are encouraged to apply.

The duration of the fellowship is three months and the amount for the fellowship is sixty thousand rupees.

Completed application forms, in either English or Urdu, containing the following must be received by Sunday January 5, 2020 to be considered for the award of the fellowships.

• Fellowship application form
• Professional resume/CV
• Stories proposal form
• Links or clippings of at least three articles that were published or aired in the last three years.

Applications should be sent to fellowships@pakistanpressfoundation.org

For forms, click the link below;

Application form:

https://www.pakistanpressfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PPF-Investigative-Reporting-Fellowship-Application-Form.docx

Story proposal form;

https://www.pakistanpressfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PPF-Investigative-Reporting-Fellowship-Story-Proposal-Form.docx

ISLAMABAD —  Abbas Nasir, a former editor of Dawn, revealed in his column on Sunday that Cyril Almeida had parted ways with the paper.

“I feel burdened with sadness but wish him the best as he explores new, exciting frontiers,” he wrote.

In September Almeida had made a comeback to the editorial pages of Dawn, after almost eight months.

Nasir was all praise for Almeida. “The confident young man, a Rhodes Scholar who read law at Oxford, was introduced to me by a colleague when I was editor. I remember asking him that while he wished to be a print journalist was he aware of what print journalists make? He smiled and said I was overestimating what lawyers make in Pakistan.”

Nasir wrote that Almeida was so gifted and worked at such speed that he became an editor’s, any editor’s dream.”

He hoped that Almeida returns to Dawn one day as editor.

Later, Almeida announced on Twitter that he had quit Dawn and ended his Sunday column. He said a break from the media was likely.

Dawn’s current Editor, Zaffar Abbas in a tweet, said that he was extremely  saddned to see Cyril go. “He was one of the brightest stars of Dawn, & Pak journalism, and one of the most honest & bold writers I have worked with. He’ll be greatly missed.”

Media and human rights groups including IFEX members condemn Pakistan’s decision to prevent the entry of Steven Butler, who was scheduled to speak at a human rights conference

On 17 October the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Asia Program Coordinator Steven Butler was refused entry into Pakistan, despite having a valid visa. Butler was told by airport authorities in Lahore that his document was voided because his name was “on a stop list of the Interior Ministry.”

Butler was expected at the Asma Jahangir Conference, the largest annual gathering of human rights advocates in Pakistan. The conference is named in honour of the prominent activist who campaigned for women’s equality, due process, and the strengthening of democratic institutions. This year’s theme is the promotion of “a more tolerant and democratic South Asia.”

CPJ’s executive director Joel Simon described the decision by Pakistani authorities as “a slap in the face to those concerned about press freedom in the country.” He asked authorities to provide a full explanation of their decision to bar Butler and correct this error.

Owais Aslam Ali, secretary general of the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), pointed out the irony that Pakistani officials have in fact been quoting CPJ reports in recent months about the impact of the communications blackout and other media restrictions in India-occupied Kashmir. He echoed the warning of other media groups that the action by immigration authorities will damage the image of Pakistan as a country committed to respecting freedom of the press.

Brad Adams of Human Rights Watch (HRW) called Butler’s deportation “alarming” and urged the Pakistani government to “reverse the decision and take urgent steps towards providing an enabling environment for free expression.”

Butler himself points to the bigger issue: “It would be speculative for me to say why I was stopped. In any case, local journalists bear the brunt of the crackdown. It’s certainly getting worse for them.”

There are indeed rising incidences of violence against the media in the country. You can read more about the state of free expression and press freedom in Pakistan here.

IFEX

 پاکستان پریس فائونڈیشن (پی پی ایف) فیلوشپ پروگرام کے لئے درخواستیں چاہتا ہے جس کا مقصد صحافیوں کی حفاظت کے معاملات سے متعلق تحقیقی اسٹوریز پر توجہ مرکوز کرنے والے صحافیوں کی مدد کے ذریعے اظہار رائے کی آزادی کا فروغ ہے

فیلوشپس میں صلاحیتوں کو بڑھانے کے لیے ورکشاپس ، ایڈیٹوریل اور تکنیکی مدد فراہم کی جائے گی تاکہ صحافت میں صحافیوں کے تحفظ کے حوالے سے پیشہ ورانہ، اخلاقی اور قانونی پیرائے میں رہتے ہوئے رپورٹس تیار کرنے کی عمدہ مشقیں کی جاسکیں۔ ہر منتخب ہونے والے فرد کو فیلوشپ پروگرام کے دوران چھ خبریں تیار کرنی ہوں گی۔ اور ان لوگوں کو ترجیح دی جائی گی جو ان خصوصی کیسز کی تحقیق کریں گے جن میں صحافیوں کو قتل یا انہیں زخمی کیا گیا۔

فیلوشپ پروگرام کے لیے رقم سولہ ہزار روپے ہے۔ فیلوشپ پروگرام کا دورانیہ تین ماہ اور ادائیگی کا انحصار مقرر کیے گئے اہداف کی تکمیل پر ہوگا۔

منتخب شرکاء کو سینئر صحافیوں کے ساتھ منسلک کیا جائے گا جو فیلوشپ کے دوران فیلوشپ ایڈیٹرز کے طور پر کام کریں گے۔

صحافی جو پرنٹ، ٹیلی ویژن، ریڈیو اور آن لائن میڈیا کےکم ازکم تین سال کے تجربے کے حامل ہوں فیلوشپ پروگرام کے لیےدرخواست دے سکتے ہیں۔ تاہم بلوچستان ، فاٹا، گلگت بلتستان اور آزاد کشمیر سے تعلق رکھنے والے صحافیوں کو رعایت دی جائے گی ۔ درخواست دینے والی خواتین صحافیوں کی حوصلہ افزائی کی جائی گی۔

امیدوار سے گزارش ہے کہ درج ذیل دستاویزات جمع کروائیں؛

٭ سی وی اور حالیہ تصویر
٭ مکمل سٹوری پروپوزل فارم
٭ کوئی سی تین شائع شدہ سٹوریوں کے لنکس

پر جمع کروائی جایئں گی۔ ppf@pakistanpressfoundation.org تمام درخواستیں

درخواستیں جمع کروانے کی آخری تاریخ اتوار 31 مارچ 2019ء ہے۔

Karachi, Feb 8:  For better investigative stories it is necessary for reporters to gather important data from related departments using the laws of right to information, said PPF Secretary General Owais Aslam Ali.

Speaking to the participants of a training workshop on use of RTI Act, he said these laws have ensured more transparency and accuracy in reporting on issues related to public interest.

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and Centre of Peace and Development Initiative (CPDI) in collaboration with Coalition on Right to Information (CRTI) conducted a training workshop on the use of Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act 2016 for investigative reporting.

It was aimed at to enable midcareer journalists to improve their reporting techniques and promote investigative journalism by using the Right to Information legislation.

It was conducted by Moonus Zehra, project coordinator of CPDI in Pakistan Press Foundation Hall on 7^th February in Karachi.

PPF selected 17 reporters from different media channels for training regarding investigation journalism under peoples’ right to information using records held by public bodies to ensure maximum transparency.

They were told that RTI is aimed at to promote transparency, accountability and good governance in government departments and to ensure informed public participation in decision-making process.

The participants discussed all five RTI laws of Pakistan including The Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Bill, 2016, The Punjab Transparency and RTI Act 2013, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act 2013, Baluchistan Freedom of Information Act 2005 and Right of access to information act, 2017.  They were told that record and information kept in government departments is asset of public. Public officials just keep this information as custodians.

At the end of the workshop, PPF Secretary General Owais Aslam Ali urged the participants to use the RTI law for collecting data from different sources. He encouraged them to use online advanced methods to grab information and ensuring follow-ups of their stories.

The participants were also given certification on completion of training.

Earlier, CPDI and PPF held a press conference in this regard at Karachi Press Club (KPC).

Owais Aslam Ali Secretary General PPF said there should be an awareness program for journalists to use RTI in a proper manner as in this digital age the implementation of RTI is an important tool for journalists.

He said in past it was difficult to get even public information, but we now have an information overload, with huge volumes of information available a click away.

He said RTI is a good way to get authentic information for news stories.

Call for taking measures for ensuring public access to information under RTI

Coalition on Right to Information (CRTI) and its partners Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and Center of Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) raised the voice to urge the government to ensure implementation of Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2016 on February 6, 2019 at Karachi Press Club.

Coalition on right to information (CRTI) is a coalition of 55 organizations working for the protection of right to information in Pakistan.

RTI is meant to promote transparency, accountability and good governance in government departments and to ensure informed public participation in decision-making process

The conference aims that right to information is a fundamental right, guaranteed under article 19-A. There is a need of immediate steps for the implementation of Sindh RTI law. Certified and authentic information is right and need of every citizen of Pakistan. The current government shall live up to its claims and ensure public access to information for the promotion of citizen’s participation in government affairs.

In a joint statement issued to the press by CRTI partners, CPDI Program Coordinator Moonus Kayinat and PPF Secretary General Owais Ali demanded the designation of public information officers in all public bodies of Sindh and strengthening of Sindh information commission through financial and administrative empowerment. Sindh Information Commission was notified back in May 2018, but it is not financially and administratively empowered till date. With the week information commission and no awareness about people’s right to know, the whole process of public access to information in halted Sindh.

Mr. Owais Ali Secretary General of PPF added there should be an awareness program for journalist to use RTI in proper manner as in digital age implementation of RTI is a very important tool for journalists, From a state where getting even public information was hard to get, we now have an information overload, with huge volumes of information available a click away. RTI is a good way acquire authentic information for news stories.

This conference also stated that KP and Punjab governments implementing good governing RTI laws likewise Sindh government should also strengthen its RTI law and make it affective for maximum proactive disclosure.

درخواستوں کی وصولی کے لئے دوسرا اعلان
آخری تاریخ 20 اگست 2017ء

پاکستان پریس فاؤنڈیشن (پی پی ایف) کی جانب سے فیلوشپ برائے تحقیقاتی رپورٹنگ کےلئے درخواستیں موصول کی جارہی ہیں۔
فیلوشپس کے لئے درخواستوں کی موصولی “پاکستان میں تحقیقاتی صحافت میں معاونت” کے پراجیکٹ کا حصہ ہیں جس کا مقصد تحقیقاتی صحافت کو فروغ دینا اور میڈیا سے وابستہ افراد کو عوامی دلچسپی کے امور بشمول حکومتی نظم و نسق، شفافیت، صنف، بدعنوانی اور انسانی حقوق کے بارے میں گہرائی سے کی جانے والی رپورٹس کے بارے میں مدد فراہم کرنا ہے۔
فیلوشپس میں صلاحیت سازی کے لیے ورکشاپس کے علاوہ ادارتی اور تکنیکی معاونت بھی فراہم کی جائے گی تا کہ ایسی تحقیقاتی رپورٹس تیار کرنے میں مدد کی جاسکے جو صحافت کے پیشہ ورانہ اصولوں اور قانونی معیارات کے مطابق ہوں۔ فیلوشپ کا دورانیہ تین ماہ اورمعاوضہ ساٹھ ہزارروپے ہے۔ معاوضے کی ادائیگی کا انحصار اہداف کی تکمیل پر ہے۔
منتخب امیدواروں کو سینئر صحافیوں کے ساتھ کام کرنے کا موقع ملے گا جو فیلوشپ کے دوران ادارتی رہنما کا کردارادا کریں گے۔
پرنٹ، ٹیلی ویژن، ریڈیو اور آن لائن میڈیا میں کم از کم تین سال کا تجربہ رکھنے والے صحافی فیلوشپس کے لیے درخواستں جمع کروانے کے اہل ہیں۔ بلخصوص بلوچستان، فاٹا، گلگت بلتستان اور آزاد کشمیر کے صحافیوں کواہلیت کے معیار میں رعائیت دی جا سکتی ہے۔
درکار دستاویزات:
۔ پروفیشنل ریزیومے/سی وی حالیہ تصویر کے ساتھ
(۔ مکمل اسٹوری پروپوزل فارم (ڈاؤنلوڈ کرنے کے لیے کلک کیجیے
۔ شائع یا نشر کی گئی خبروں کے تین لنکس/نمونے

  پر بھیجیں ppf@pakistanpressfoundation.org درخواستیں
درخواست بھیجنے کی آخری تاریخ 20 اگست 2017ء، شام 5 بجے ہے۔ اس کے بعد بھیجی گئی درخواستوں کو شامل نہیں کیا جائے گا۔
صرف شارٹ لسٹ ہونے والے امیدواروں سےرابطہ کیا جائے گا۔

تحقیقاتی رپورٹنگ فیلوشپ کے پہلے مرحلے کے ورکشاپ کی وڈیو نیچے دیئے گئے لنک پر دیکھی جا سکتی ہے ۔