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).

The culture of impunity in crimes against journalists has plagued Pakistan as the media continue to come under attack in both now traditional forms of violence including physical assault and threats as well as via more sophisticated ways online.

The record for press freedom and the safety of journalists presents a grim picture where the perpetrators of violence against the media continue to evade accountability creating an environment of fear, censorship and consequences for journalists to work within.

Despite strong initial condemnations and the formation of investigative commissions when a journalist comes under attack, the country has seen little progress on the issue of impunity in crimes against the media.

Observing International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists on November 2, Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) issued a report highlighting the alarming lack of justice in crimes against the media.

During 2021-22, PPF has recorded at least 1 targeted murder, 1 accidental death while on assignment; 2 abductions and kidnappings; 89 instances of physical assault; 24 detentions and arrests; 46 instances of threats being issued; and 34 instances of legal cases registered against media professionals.

Despite the passage of two laws for the protection of journalists — one at the federal level and one at the provincial level in the Sindh province — during 2021, this year has seen little progress in the implementation of these laws that include a specific focus on tackling the issue of impunity.

While safety legislation was a positive step in the right direction, simultaneously, in recent years, the state has been determined to push for further control of the media. This has taken the form of proposed super media regulators, a push to create social media rules and thus further restricted the space for free expression.

Both the deep state, government and political parties have been involved in the attacks on the media and through their lack of action when a journalist is attacked. They also condone and popularize rhetoric that undermines the credibility of journalists or makes them the target of attacks. Despite claims of supporting a free press, political leaders have become the source of unleashing attacks on journalists.

As attacks online become increasingly commonplace, journalists have become the subject of online trolling particularly women journalists on whom the attacks are often of a personal nature. This has led to a lack of safety for journalists both in person and online. As with physical attacks, the source of these forms of online abuse includes those in positions of power.

Pakistan is amongst the nations that does not properly investigate and prosecute crimes committed against journalists. Whether it be provincial authorities or the federal level — the state has appeared uninterested in investigating and bringing to justice the perpetrators of crimes against the media. This is reflected in the high levels of impunity in crimes against the media.

Since 2002, there have been at least 76 confirmed cases of journalists’ killed while on assignment or through targetted murders. There have been convictions in only five cases — Daniel Pearl, Wali Khan Babar, Ayub Khan Khattak, Abdul Razzak Johra and Nisar Ahmed Solangi.

With murder being the most extreme form of attack on a journalist by ending their life, this figure is a good reflection of the impunity that prevails across all attacks on the media.

While the creation of new laws or the issuance of statements of solidarity are welcome steps, they are empty promises when there is no progress in the overall situation regarding impunity.

It is the responsibility of the media houses and employers, media bodies, the provincial and federal governments and the state to ensure that this culture is brought to an end so that journalists are able to perform their duties without fear and without consequences.

-ENDS-

The post A culture of impunity plagues crimes against journalists as cases see little progress beyond condemnations and formation of commissions first appeared on Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).

President Donald Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

via email

Dear President Trump,

We are writing to you as journalists, press freedom organizations, and industry groups to express our deep dismay at the recent violence perpetrated against journalists in the United States as they have sought to report on mass protests across the country. On behalf of the 72 groups listed below, we urge you to speak out forcefully against these attacks and in support of the rights of journalists to report freely, as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The United States’ history of protecting free expression and defending and protecting the rights of journalists is much admired beyond U.S. borders. This is born out of a recognition that journalists serve as independent monitors of social and political developments, and are essential to democracy, transparency, and accountability.

Attacks on journalists in the U.S. threaten to undermine this commitment. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker has received reports of at least 320 violations of press freedom across the country since protests demanding an end to police brutality and calling for social justice broke out on May 26. It is vital that state and local government officials take steps to ensure such violations never happen again, and that the perpetrators are held to account.

We call on you to send a clear and unambiguous message across the country and around the world about the importance of the press freedom and work of the press. Local leaders need to hear unambiguously from you that they have a responsibility to fully investigate these attacks, protect journalists, and ensure that they can work unobstructed and without fear of injury or reprisal.

Press freedom in the United States is critical to people around the world. Thousands of foreign correspondents are based in Washington D.C. and throughout the U.S., where they are tasked with telling the story of America to their publics back home. The ability of journalists to work freely in the U.S. creates a more enlightened global citizenry.

What happens in the United States also has repercussions for journalists around the world, including American correspondents. When the U.S. backslides it sends a green light to authoritarian-leaning leaders around the world to restrict the press and the free flow of information.

Authoritarian regimes in China, Iran, and Turkey have already opportunistically spoken out about the heavy-handed police tactics used here, using the crackdown on the press in this country to legitimize their own repression of independent journalism.

Instead of condemning journalists and the media, we urge you to commend and celebrate them as the embodiment of the First Amendment, which is the envy of so many countries around the world.

Sincerely,

Acclaim Nigeria Magazine (ANM)

Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC)

Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI) Indonesia

Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain

Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ)

ARTICLE 19 

Associação Brasileira de Jornalismo Investigativo (Abraji)

Association for International Broadcasting

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication

Bytes 4 All

Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies

Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR)

Canadian Media Lawyers’ Association

Cartoonist Rights Network International (CRNI)

Centre for Law and Democracy

Centre for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP)

Committee to Protect Journalists

Community Media Forum Europe (CMFE)

DW Akademie

Free Media Movement – Sri Lanka

Free Press Unlimited

Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI)

Fundación Gabo (Gabriel García Márquez Foundation)

Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa (FLIP)

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)

Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN)

Global Voices

Hong Kong Journalists Association

Independent Journalism Center

Independent Journalism Center (IJC)

Index on Censorship

Initiative for Freedom of Expression – Turkey (IFoX)

INSI – international News Safety Institute

Institute for Regional Media and Information

Instituto Prensa y Sociedad Venezuela 

International Center for Journalists (ICFJ)

International Federation of Journalists

International Media Development Advisers (IMDA)

International Media Support (IMS)

International Press Institute

International Women’s Media Foundation

Internews 

Media Focus International (MFI)

Media Foundation for West Africa

Media Institute Southern Africa – Zimbabwe

Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD)

Media Watch

Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA)

Metamorphosis Foundation

Newsgain

Norwegian PEN

Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP)

Pacific Islands News Association (PINA)

Pakistan Press Foundation 

Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA)

PEN America

PEN International

Press Union of Liberia

Project Syndicate

Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting 

Reporters Without Borders

Rory Peck Trust

Rural Media Network Pakistan

Samir Kassir Foundation – SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom

SembraMedia

Social Media Exchange (SMEX)

Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA).

South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)

South East European Network for Professionalization of Media (SEENPM)

The Center for Independent Journalism, Romania

World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC)

World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)

CC:

Vice President Michael R. Pence

Kayleigh McEnany, White House Press Secretary Ambassador

Kelly Craft, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations

Newspaper: CPJ

KARACHI: Pakistan is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for media persons, as it has already witnessed the murder of 72 journalists since 2002, stated a report of Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), whose executive summary was shared at a seminar on “State of Pakistani Media 2018” held at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday.

The report said that from special coercive law to blatant censorship, the Pakistani media has witnessed many forms of oppression in its 71 years of struggle-filled existence. In 2018, the media also endured an unprecedented level of imposed self-censorship through tactics unbecoming of a responsible state.

Senior politicians and journalists addressed the seminar and discussed problems, including restrictions and self-censorship being faced by the media industry and the journalist community in Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, PPF Secretary General Owais Aslam Ali said that the media industry has been facing several restrictions and curbs for long. He asked the journalist community to write investigation reports about the journalists who have been murdered in the country, to unearth if they were killed due to their role in journalism or over personal enmity. He said that when the United Nations (UN) prepares reports regarding murders of journalists and sends it to governments of their respective countries, the Pakistani government does not have full knowledge of whether the slain journalists were murdered due to their professionalism or over personal issues.

Former information minister Javed Jabbar said that facts and realities mentioned in the PPF’s summary are very sad and harsh He said, however, the temperament of Pakistani people is democratic which is why elections are held in institutions from press clubs to bars. Javed Jabbar also said that despite immense pressure, the Pakistani media, especially English media, has been publishing bold and critical editorials and columns. “In 56 Muslim countries, Pakistan has more freedom of expression and press freedom,” he said. However, he criticised some media houses for recruiting non-professional people for journalistic duties.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Taj Haider said that all unions of journalists should join hands to formulate a joint policy as all democratic political parties of the country had come on a single page during the Movement for Restoration of Democracy (MRD). There are two parties in the country – establishment and the masses, he said, adding that it is time to take sides.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Tariq Aziz said the rulers are using a divide and rule formula to weaken the Pakistani media. He said that getting information is the right of people. He said that the issues faced by this country could not be resolved till the parliament is strengthened.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Zahid Askari said that today, the Pakistani media is facing grave challenges. He said that his party would support the journalists on every forum. He said that the maltreatment and sacking of journalists are regrettable.

Karachi Press Club General Secretary Arman Sabir said that unity is crucial for journalists. He said that it is the weakness of the journalist fraternity that there are so many divisions. He said that the scope of formal media is shrinking fast as social media is becoming more and more influential. He regretted that due to government pressure, the media industry in Pakistan is working under self-censorship.

Karachi Press Club President Imtiaz Khan Faran said, “We are not hopeless and we will never be.” He said that it is now time to reinvent the media and cater to the needs of modern times. He said that professional media institutions, which provide true information to people, are facing immense pressure. He asked the political parties to play their role in the promotion of freedom of press and expression in the country.

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President G M Jamali said that the biggest hurdle for the fraternity is disunity amongst media professionals. He regretted that there are so many groups of journalists in our country, adding that due to this bitter and sharp divide, journalists’ voice is not being heard properly.

Jamali said that hundreds of media workers have already been sacked but journalists could not raise a strong voice for them. He stressed the need of unity of media persons, saying that there is no alternative.

Dr Jabbar Khattak of Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) said that media house owners prefer their vested interests to the interests of journalists or the media in general. He said that the issues faced by the media need a serious focus of all stakeholders, including the government.

Suhail Afzal of PFUJ-Dastoor, Kamal Siddiqui of the Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) and other senior journalists and writers also spoke on the occasion and asked the government to resolve journalists’ issues.

Pakistan Today

From special coercive law to blatant censorship, the Pakistani media has witness many forms of oppression in its 71 years of struggle-filled existence.

But in 2018 the media endured an unprecedented level of imposed “self-censorship” through tactics unbecoming of a responsible state. Those who refuse to fall in line suffer loss of readership and viewership. Unjustified cover-ups and the suppression of truth regarding crucial questions of public accountability have seriously affected the perception of the quality of democracy in Pakistan.

2018 was a year of elections, overt and covert pressures on the media in the run-up to the elections cast aspersions on the fairness of the electoral exercise and were widely criticized by national as well as international observers including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, The European Commission and the US based Committee to Protect Journalists.

As one of the most dangerous countries in the world for media persons, Pakistan has witnessed the murder of 72 journalists since 2002. Except for five cases, most of these fatalities have continued to remain unsolved and perpetrators remain unpunished. Successive governments have seemed reluctant to probe the murders of journalists. 

The report State of Pakistani Media in 2018 by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) focuses on instances of crimes against the media, where journalists are killed, murdered, abducted, assaulted, detained, and threatened by law enforcement agencies, militants, feudal lords, and tribal leaders. TV channels, newspapers, websites and social media are blocked and banned. Media personnel and media organizations are threatened and pressured by state and non-state actors. 

Instances of the arrest of journalists, issuing non-bailable arrest warrants, registration of legal cases, contempt of court notices, and imposition of fines under defamation laws were also recorded among the pressures used in 2018 that sent a chilling message to all Pakistani journalists. 

During 2018, PPF investigated six cases of the murder of journalists. However, PPF determined that the primary causes of murders were personal or business animosities and rivalries rather than relating to their work as journalists. 

Those murdered during the year included: Ehsan Sherpao, Secretary General of Charsadda Press Club; Anjum Muneer Raja, sub-editor, daily Pukaar; Zeeshan Ashraf Butt, reporter, daily Nawa-i-Waqt; Abid Hussain, correspondent of daily Naya Daur, Multan; Saeed Butt, reporter, daily Khabrain; and Muhammad Sohail Khan, reporter, daily K2 Times and AVT Khyber television channel.

Physical assault continued to be a chronic problem for Pakistani journalists. According to the PPF research, there were at least 22 cases of physical assault in which five journalists were injured while 25 others were beaten and manhandled to stop them from performing their professional duties.

Abducting journalists is another common tactic to stop media practitioners from expressing their views on sensitive issues.  PPF documented three cases of abduction and attempted abduction in 2018. They included Gul Bukhari, writer and columnist of The Nation; Taha Siddiqui, reporter of the France 24, New York Times, The Guardian; and Zaibdar Marri, President of the Kohlu Press Club and correspondent of the Express News.

The year also witnessed the release of social media activist Samar Abbas after one year. He went missing under mysterious conditions on January 7, 2017. 

The forcible intrusion by armed personnel into the premises of Karachi Press Club (KPC) was the first in the club’s 60-year existence. KPC termed it an outcome of an ongoing campaign to subdue the press on the part of state and non-state actors.

Attacking the residence of a journalists is also used as pressure tactic on journalists, as they become overly cautious for the stake of their families’ safety. One such example of this in 2018 was the attack on the house of Manzoor Bughio, reporter of Channel 24 in Shaheed Benazirabad district in the Sindh province.

Online harassment is increasing throughout the world, including Pakistan. One such instance noted this year was when Saleem Safi, a prominent Pakistani journalist, columnist and anchorperson was made the target of abuse and harassment on social media for a comment he made in a television show.

PPF also documented seven cases where journalists in Pakistan face legal actions. These include: Nasrullah Khan Chaudhry, senior sub-editor of daily Nai Baat; Cyril Almeida, assistant editor and columnist of Dawn; Sailaab Mehsud of Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty’s Mashaal Radio and Zafar Wazir of Khyber TV; Matiullah Jan, a journalist and host of Waqt TV; Dr. Amir Liaquat Hussain, anchorperson of BOL TV; Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman of Jang group; and Umar Cheema, investigative reporter of Jang group. 

The media industry in Pakistan also witnessed extreme economic pressures which resulted in the closure of a television channel and a number of newspapers, which in turn led to the loss of employment for hundreds of journalists and other media professionals.

On the policy front, the newly elected government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf announced plans to merge the existing separate regulations for print, electronic and online media into a single powerful regulation body. Under the proposed regulation one mega regulatory body to be called Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PMRA) would be created with the merger of existing regulatory authorities including Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and Press Council of Pakistan (PCP).  Most media bodies including The All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and PCP have strongly opposed the proposed law.

In September 2018, government also constituted a Content Committee that would approve advertisements for the print and electronic media. The newly-formed body, headed by the Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, will work to see that no advertisement should be released to the print or electronic media by the provincial or federal government without prior approval of this committee. 

The government also announced a drastic reduction in the rates of advertisements charged by television channels for government advertisements. The new rates will be valid for federal and provincial governments, autonomous bodies and public sector organizations.

Media outlets remain under pressure from the authorities to avoid reporting on several issues including criticism of government institutions and the judiciary. There were at least 31 instances of journalists, anchorpersons, and television channels being issued show-cause notices, suspensions of anchor persons, blocking of websites, and disruptions of distribution of newspapers.

The circulation of a number of newspapers including Dawn remained blocked in cantonments and parts of Balochistan, and transmission of Geo television channel was blocked in many parts of the country.  

Pakistan was among the countries that had made the largest number of requests for content restrictions on leading social media platforms.   According to Facebook Transparency Report released on November 16, Pakistan emerged as the number one country in the world with 2,203 requests to Facebook for content restriction.  The Twitter Transparency Report ranked Pakistan on third highest with 3,004 profiles to the social networking site for inciting violence and spreading hate material.

Karachi May 3:  The legal, political and policy environment for Pakistani media deteriorated significantly and Pakistani media professionals continue to face violence while those who attack journalists enjoy impunity from prosecution.

A report covering the period January 2016 to April 2017, released by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day on May 3, said actions of the government, parliament as well as the judiciary seemed to indicate that all branches of state are determined to control the media, rather than promoting a safe and secure environment for the growth of a pluralistic democratic media institutions.

The report criticizes the Pakistan government for spending millions of rupees to broadcast and publish advertisements warning citizens that misuse of Article 19 of the Constitution could subject them to fines or imprisonment.  The ads listed over a dozen laws that could be used against citizens exercising their right to freedom of speech.

The report cites the draft “Journalists Welfare and Protection” bill as an example of cynical state response to the deplorable safety environment in Pakistan.  The daft bill instead of addressing the issue of safety, proposes significant restrictions on media freedom and independence.  Section 6 of the draft bill requires media organizations to get approval from the government before deputing a journalist for duty in a sensitive area.  Section 12 of the draft bill gives government the authority to ban media organizations for up to three months and to impose fines of up to twenty million Pakistani Rupees (about USD190,000) for violations.

The bill is effectively silent on measures the governments at federal, provincial and local level will take to ensure proper investigation and prosecution of cases of violence against media and holding those in authority responsible for impunity for such crimes.

The report is also critical of the “Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016” because it places onerous restrictions on online expression and increases the online surveillance which could potentially have a chilling effect on freedom of opinion and expression.

Contrary to global efforts to decriminalize defamation, Pakistan took a giant regressive step in 2016 by using the Anti-Terrorism Act to jail journalists for defamation. The use of anti-terrorism courts for a case involving defamation makes the enforcement of an already problematic law even more draconian.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), has dramatically increased the intensity and frequency of punitive measures against television channels. PEMRA issued 166 show cause notices to private television channels over violations of ethical codes and had taken 380 actions for airing “unethical” and “unsuitable” programmes.  PEMRA had imposed fines of over 70 million rupees (US$ 650,000) on 50 channels from December 2015 to April 2017. During that period, the authority also suspended the transmission of six television channels and prohibited nine anchorpersons from appearing on eight TV channels.

Using the broad powers to block distribution of films, the Central Board of Film Censorship (CBFC) banned three movies in 2016.  The movies that were banned by CBFC include “Maalik”, Among the Believers” and “Besieged in Quetta”.

As the elections approach, political parties including those in the national and provincial governments, have whipped up dangerous rhetoric against mainstream media and social media accusing them of condoning blasphemy and of acting against national aspirations and interests.

Harassment of women media professionals remains endemic and media houses and organizations representing publishers, editors and working journalists remain apathetic to the safety of female staff members. This is evident from the fact that only a handful of media houses have instituted even the minimum safety mechanisms of Protection of Women against Harassment at Workplace Act 2010 that all organizations in Pakistan are legally required to implement.

The report expresses regret that the media became entangled in tensions between the military and civilian authorities, when on October 10, 2016 the federal government imposed an international travel ban on journalist Cyril Almeida by placing his name on the Exit Control List (ECL).  The action followed the publication of his story titled “Act against militants or face international isolation, civilians tell military” in daily Dawn on October 6, 2016.  Although the travel ban was lifted soon after, the crises continues as Major General Asif Ghafoor, Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) rejected the notification issued the Prime Minister’s Secretariat on April 29, 2017.

The Pakistani media also continued to be subjected to violent attacks, encouraged by a high level of impunity for these crimes. PPF has recorded 73 instances of journalists or media workers being killed for their work since 2002 but there have only been five convictions for murders of journalists.

The problem of impunity is compounded by lack of political will to hold to account those in positions of power who attack journalists, delays in the judicial process, corruption and incompetence of local police forces, and inadequate resources and training for investigators and prosecutors, particularly in rural areas.

Between January 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017, three media personnel were killed in the line of duty and nineteen media professionals were injured in attacks while performing their professional duties. There were also several cases of attacks on media houses and illegal arrests and detentions of journalists by local police at the behest of influential politicians and landlords.

Five bloggers and an executive of Jang Group, Pakistan’s leading media group were abducted by unidentified kidnappers.  All except one were returned after some time in mysterious circumstances.  One blogger Samar Abbas remains missing to this day although his family has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court.  There has been no attempt to investigate the abduction and no one has been held accountable for the kidnapping and alleged torture.

While the state of freedom of expression is disappointing, there were a few positive developments.  These include the enactment of the Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Law 2016, which is an important step in creating the legal framework to implement Article 19-A of the Constitution of Pakistan that recognizes access to information as a constitutionally guaranteed right.  Another positive development in 2016 was the lifting of ban on YouTube after more than three years.  The government of Sindh took another step forward by appointing a focal person responsible to monitor the crimes against journalists and media houses and to act as bridge between police and other law enforcement agencies and media for better coordination and following up the cases of killed journalists.

IFEX

omplete report is available in English at: http://www.pakistanpressfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Pakistan-Press-Freedom-Report-5-MAY-17.pdf 

Three missing bloggers news of returning back to homes dominated both print and electronic media during the week. Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) banned a program under allegations of spreading hatred, which was set aside by Sindh High Court (SHC).However, a social activist registered case against anchor, channel’s owner and others under sections of Anti Terrorism Act, Pakistan Penal Code and Prevention of Electronic crimes Act 2016.

Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS)and Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) appreciated the ban on anchor; while PBA and APNS submitted an application with police, seeking registration of criminal case against anchor, owner of the Bol channel and other management. State run TV channel banned two female anchors for violating the discipline of the channel.

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) monitoring found 50 news items related to media ethics category, 22 from media regulation,18 related to freedom of expression; six were from media development; three obituary news; one from media safety category while 12 news items covered miscellaneous topics in both TV channels and Newspapers.

Male news makers have the majority with 102 whereas female news makers were five during the seven days of media coverage.

Court suspended PEMRA’s ban on anchor

Geo News aired ticker on January 27 whileThe News, daily Jang on January 28, reported that SHC suspended PEMRA’s ban on Bol TV anchor Amir Liaquat Hussain’s programme “Aisay Nahi Chalay Ga” until February 1. The court also directed the authority and other defendants to submit their replies on the next date of hearing. The channel’s counsel Abdul Karim Khan submitted that PEMRA had banned the programme without giving any show cause notice besides also blocking the transmission of the TV.

In other story reported The Express Tribune, Dawn, Balochistan Express, daily Express, Pakistan Today reported on January 28, PEMRA issued a show cause notice to BolTV for disobeying its ban on anchor Liaquat and his program.

Capital TV aired breaking news on January 27 while The Express Tribune on January 28 reported the story;PBA submitted an application to Islamabad Police seeking registration of a criminal case against Bol News Network’s CEO Shoaib Sheikh and Hussain for ‘spreading hate and making malicious statements’ against PBA members.

Capital TV, Geo News, Dunya News aired tickers, breaking news and discussed in programmes on January 26 and 27 while on January 27 The Nation, The Express Tribune, Business Recorder, The News, Dawn, daily Pakistan, Balochistan Express, daily Amn, daily Nawa-i-Waqt reported, PEMRA slapped a ban on Hussain’sprogramme on BOL News. After monitoring for several weeks, the authority took the decision that Liaquat had repeatedly violated the electronic media code of conduct 2015, under PEMRA Ordinance 2002 and Rule 15 of PEMRA Rules 2009.

Morgah Police Station, Rawalpindi registered a case against Hussain, its owner and other responsible under Terrorism Act and other sections of Pakistan Panel Code on January 26. Muhammad Jibran Nasir, a lawyer and social activist filed the case and said that anchor had started a defamatory and life threatening campaign against him in his show on a private TV channel.

Aaj News, Capital TV,Dunya News, News One, Samaa aired detailed news and tickers on January 26, 27 while The Express Tribune, Dawn, Business Recorder, The News, daily Jang, daily Nawa-i-Waqt onJanuary 27 reported that, the representative bodies of media industry as well as journalists and columnists expressed concerns over launching the hate campaign against renowned media personalities and writers and welcomed PEMRA’s decision to ban the anchor.

APNS issued a statement, “The abusive language and hate speech has now surpassed all moral norms and values and can in fact incite violence by labeling media persons as anti-Islam and anti Pakistan, consequently putting their lives in danger”.

Similarly, the PBA condemned all forms of hate speech and expressed constant support to the government, PEMRA, law enforcement authorities and judiciary in action to protect the victims and against those using media as a weapon. CPNE in a separate statement welcomed the ban.

The News on January 25 reported,The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan called a meeting on January 26 to discuss the plan of action following a protest against enforced disappearances led by civil society which saw a clash between activists and religious hardliners.

The participants also discussed the smear campaign by a private TV host, Liaquat, who is allegedly inciting hate speech against those who participated in the demonstration alongside those who are speaking for missing bloggers.

Missing activists return home

Salman Haider, Waqas Goraya and Asim Saeed, bloggers and social media activists who went missing, had been returned back to their homes. A lecturer at the Fatima Jinnah Women University in Rawalpindi and a rights activist, Haider had been missing since the evening of January 6. Two other social media activists, Goraya and Saeed, returned back and both were disappeared from Lahore on January 4; while bloggers Ahmed Raza Naseer and Samar Abbas went missing from Sheikhupura and Islamabad on January 7 and 11 respectively, reported Dawn, The Express Tribune, The Nation, daily Jang, daily Nawa-i-Waqt, daily Amn, daily Express, Regional Times on January 29 reported the story.

 Larkana Press Club reopened

Larkana Press Club was sealed on the order of the deputy commissioner to prevent clashes between the club members and outsiders on January 24 reported daily the News on January 25. The club was reopened on January 25, reported The Express Tribune, Dawn, daily Jang, daily Nawa-i-Waqt, daily Intekhab on January 26.

 165 complaints against Urdu channels in UK

The complaints on Urdu language TV output in the United Kingdom are rising. In the cases concluded by Ofcom in the period 2013-2016, there were 165 complaints against Urdu language TV stations, 50 of which were upheld. Religious channels were the subject of 15 valid complaints, news channels were found in violation of the rules on 35 incidents, reported daily Dawn on January 25.

 Two female anchors banned for defaming PTV

The alleged harassment case in the state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) has taken a new twist as the channel management has slapped a ban on two female anchors Tanzeela Mazhar and Yashfeen Jamal, for defaming the organization on social media and talk shows.

Before taking the matter to media, both the anchors had complained to the management against an employee Agha Masood Shorish for alleged harassment.

On January 20, channel management issued circular stating that few PTV employees were using social media to comment on matters that were currently being inquired into officially. The notice further stated that no organization could afford such insulting and defamatory behavior of anchors in spite of their being on the payroll of the PTV, reported The Express Tribune on January 24.

Dawn News in its programme “News Wise” on January 23 and Aaj News in its programme “Spotlight” on January 25 discussed the harassment incident with female anchors in PTV.

Faith healers advertisements continue airing

Despite a ban imposed by PEMRA, local cable channels and radio stations in parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa continued airing advertisements of faith healers and quacks. The electronic media watchdog had imposed a ban on such advertisements as many locals have been cheated by such faith healers. PEMRA had issued a notification in March last year directing all satellite, radio stations and cable television networks not to air commercials which promote faith-healers, quacks or Hakeems, reported The Express Tribune on January 23.

Articles/Editorials

PEMRA ban

On January 28, Dawn published an editorial entitled “Pemra ban”. The television host has used his programme ‘Aisa Nahi Chalay Ga’ on Bol News as a bully pulpit to rouse hatred and incite violence and as a vehicle for carrying out a vicious personal vendetta.

“Pemra’s response — an open-ended, blanket ban apparently not preceded by any show-cause notice to the host — should be a cause of concern for the media. It is excessive, gives the impression of being arbitrary and can establish an unwelcome precedent in muzzling press freedom”.

 How to trust media?

Daily Nawa-i-Waqt on January 25 published an article entitle “Media par kaisey yakeen ho?” written by Ameer Muhammad Khan. The writer in his piece of writing criticized media specifically the electronic media and stated that electronic media for its personal benefit or on the basis of wrong information present facts.

PPF monitored 53 items out of which there were 14 detailed news, 11 programs, 11 live coverage’s, 10 tickers and seven breaking news related to Pakistani media that were covered in the following television channels: 92 News, Aaj News, Abb Takk, ARY News, Capital TV, Dawn News, Dunya News, Express News, Geo News, Jaag News, Neo News, News One, Samaa and TV One.

Obituary

Member of Faisalabad Press Club Sher Abbas died in a road accident near PindiBhattiyan, while two other members of the press club Muhammad Tahir and FarukhAiwangot injured. 92 News and Abb Takk aired tickers on January 23.

Out of 59 news items there were 25 events coverage, 22 press releases, eight interviews, three opinions and one press conference published in English and Urdu dailies including Dawn, The News, The Nation, The Express Tribune, Business Recorder, Pakistan Today, Regional Times, Balochistan Express, daily Jang, daily Dunya, daily Express, daily Nawa-i-Waqt, daily Intikhab, daily Amn, daily Pakistan.

Forced disappearance of bloggers turned into news of registration of blasphemy cases and allegations on missing activists on both TV channels and newspapers during the week. However right activists in Karachi faced brush of extremist group and Police while protesting against forced disappearance of social media activists.

Electronic media watchdog Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) continued its actions against TV channels and fined various channels; while Journalists of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) were threatened by Afghan militants group.

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) monitoring found 31 news items related to Freedom of Expression category, 16 from media development, seven related to media ethics; seven were from media regulation; five news items of safety; three obituary news; while 17 news items covered miscellaneous topics in both TV channels and Newspapers.

Male news makers have the majority with 71 whereas female news makers were 14 during the seven days of media coverage. In monitored 86 news stories only one story does not mentioned the gender of spokesperson.

Families searching for missing bloggers amid protests

Dawn, Pakistan Today, Business Recorder, daily Amn, daily Intekhab, daily Jang reported the event on January 20, protestors of religious group named Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah threw stones and attacked supporters of missing Pakistani activists and demanded that police charge the missing men under a blasphemy law that carries a mandatory death sentence.

A group of rights activists from Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), National Trade Union Federation, National Students Federation and Awami Jamhoori Mahaz gathered at the Arts Council and walk towards the press club in protest against disappearance of activists and bloggers.

The family members and supporters of five missing activists and bloggers refuted blasphemy allegations and criticized what they called online propaganda.

The allegations, made online and in a complaint to police, has troubled Pakistan’s small community of social activists. The families of two of the missing men, Salman Haider and Waqas Goraya, describe them as part of a “malicious campaign”.

One of the first blasphemy allegations appeared on January 9 on the Pakistan Defence page on Facebook. The unidentified Urdu-language post displayed photos of Haider, Goraya and Aasim Saeed linking them with a Facebook group called Bhensa.

When contacted by Reuters via email, an anonymous administrator for the Pakistan Defence said the Facebook page and website were an “open source debate platform” and that comments were linked to members who “contribute anonymously”. The News, Dawn, Pakistan Today, daily Jang reported the story on January 19.

In other stories reported by The News and daily Jang on January 18, an active social media campaign to paint five disappeared Pakistani activists as blasphemers deserving punishment had spotlighted how right-wing efforts to silent liberal voices using the country’s laws have found a powerful new platform online.

The News, The Express Tribune, daily Intekhab on January 22 reported, police registered an FIR over the disappearance of Samar Abbas, the second activist disappeared from the federal capital, but there is still no news of academic Haider, who has now been missing for over 10 days, reported Dawn and daily Jang on January 17.

The family of disappeared rights activist Samar Abbas, has requested that his case should not be linked to the other campaigners who went missing earlier this month. Abbas’s family held a news conference at the Karachi Press Club on January 21 in connection with his disappearance. Abbas’s wife demanded that the authorities should recover him safely.

HRCP expressed concern over the increasing sense of insecurity among civil society activists after the disappearance of several bloggers and called for their immediate recovery.

Civil society activists last week held protest demos in different cities demanding the recovery of social media activists Haider, Goraya, Saeed and others who have disappeared over the last few days. The Nation reported on January 16.

Government denies registration of blasphemy cases on missing bloggers

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan took notice of media reports and ongoing propaganda on social media regarding registration of criminal cases with blasphemy charges against the missing bloggers and social media activists in Islamabad police station. Minister denied criminal proceedings against the activists in this connection and said there was no truth about the registration of cases against them and such reports were absolutely non-serious and ridiculous, reported The Nation, Dawn, The Express Tribune, daily Nawa-i-Waqt on January 20.

FATA Journalists threatened by Afghan militants

Journalists in Bajaur Agency, working with different national and international media organizations received threats from different banned militant groups of Afghanistan which created fear and panic among journalist community.

A senior journalist, Irfanullah Jan who has been working with a US-based radio and a national newspaper for over 15 years said that he has continuously been receiving threatening phone calls and text messages from different banned militant groups that were using Afghanistan-based cellular network Subscriber Identity Module (SIMs).

Several other journalists in Bajaur Agency including Anwarullah Khan, Muhammad Tahir and cameraman Israruddin have also been threatened by militants owing to not highlighting the militants’ viewpoints and comments in their reporting during the last several months, The Nation on January 21 reported.

No other Karachi edition newspapers and TV channels reported the story.

Three channels fined

The Council of Complaints of PEMRA recommended Pakistan Rupees 50,000 fine on Channel 24 for its non-serious attitude towards the council.

Hearing the matter regarding the health condition, supremacy and age of the late Sindh governor justice (retd) Saeeduzzaman Siddique in the programme Khabardar on November 12, 2016, the council directed Express News to tender apology in the same programme and disposed off the matter. The hearing of a complaint of Chaudhry Arshad Ali against Dunya TV was adjourned till the final decision of the Lahore High Court, reported The News and daily Jang on January 16.

In other story reported by The News, The Nation, daily Jang on January 17, a member of the National Assembly and legislator of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) Shahida Akhtar Ali lodged a complaint with the PEMRA and urged the authority take strict action against BOL News TV for airing “false allegations” against JUI-F Chief Fazlur Rehman. Channel aired false and offensive accusations against Rehman in programme “Aisay Nahe Challay Ga” on November 21, 2016.

The authority also recommended a fine of Rs 1 million on Metro-1 TV channel for leveling unjustified allegations against Senator Saeed Ghani in a programme. The channel has also been directed to air apology with the same manner and magnitude within a period of 15 days.

Restrictions on information for media

Senior journalists, anchors, columnists and union leaders expressed serious concern over the restrictions on access to information for media in the clauses of draft Elections Bill 2017, to be tabled in Parliament on January 19.

They termed the respective clauses against Article 19 of the Constitution which identifies freedom of expression as basic right and demanded of the government to review the draft Bill while engaging media as a stakeholder before presenting it in Parliament.

These ambiguities were discussed at a meeting called by President Press Club Shakeel Anjum and briefed by Free and Fair Elections and civil society activists. The News, daily Jang on January 17 and Dawn on January 18 reported the story.

Dawn.com under cyber attack

A statement issued by dawn.com says that their online web has come under constant cyber attacks over the last two weeks. Chief Digital Strategist and Editor Dawn.com Jahanzaib Haque said, “We are working to protect our data and infrastructure against these attacks and is confident that any attempts to hack into our systems will remain unsuccessful”, reported daily Dawn on January 22.

Advertising Policy for media

Principal Information Officer of Press Information Department Islamabad Rao Tehsin Khan said that government will soon announce a new advertising policy for media under which 40 percent quota will be for print, 50 percent for electronic and 10 percent will be given to digital media. He stated this in All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) advertising roundtable conference, reported The Nation, The News, daily Jang on January 18.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb announced increase in the rates of government advertising for newspapers. The advertising budget will be allocated separately for print media, electronic media and digital media, reported daily Jang, daily Intekhab, daily Pakistan and daily Nawa-i-Waqt on January 19.

Ensuring sanctity of holy verses 

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurances has directed the Ministry of Information, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony and Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) to plan ensuring the sanctity of the holy verses printed in newspapers.

The meeting was headed by committee Chairman Muhammad Afzal Khokhar. The committee was informed that APNS, Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors and Pakistan Broadcasters Association have agreed to publish a note on the newspapers to give due respect to the holy papers and the holy names printed in the newspapers, reported Business Recorder, The News on January 20.

Harassment case in PTV

Geo News in its programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Sath” on January 20 and Express News in its programme “To the Point” on January 22 discussed women harassment incident in state owned Pakistan Television (PTV). Tanzeela Mazhar, a TV journalist and anchor at PTV was harassed by Agha Masood Shorish, Director Current Affairs – PTV News. She filed the complaint against the same.

Articles/Editorials

World focus on disappearances

Dawn on January 19 published an article entitled “World focus on disappearances” written by I.A. Rehman. The government might have been surprised at some foreign governments’ expressions of concern at the enforced disappearance of five social activists/ bloggers. The writer further writes, we are told now that the police are investigating a complaint that the five bloggers have been guilty of blasphemy.

If those who picked up the five bloggers had good reason to deprive them of their right to liberty, they should have informed their families, allowed them to contact their counsel and produced them in a court of law within 24 hours, or explained the reasons for failing to do so.

Ominous signs

The Nation on January 20 published an article written by Hafsa Khawaja with the title “Ominous signs” in which the writer highlighted the issue of disappeared human rights activists and bloggers. The space for expression and dissent appears to be increasingly shrinking.

That notable individuals like Haider, a human rights activist and professor at Fatima Jinnah University, can vanish in broad daylight from the capital, is a frightening revelation that people’s prominence and profiles can offer no protection or deterrence from the danger and threat of disappearance.

Producers and nation building

Agha Baqir (a socio-political analyst) written an article entitled “Producers and nation building”. He writes the talk shows and the columns are opinion sections of journalism, possessing a key role in opinion making of the people as well of the policy makers. Article was published in The Nation on January 21.

The talk show in general and column in particular is rapidly losing its credibility, especially in its guiding role to the state organs in their process of policy making. It has to support their constructive policies and point out drawbacks in various policies initiated or being initiated by the major organs of the state including legislature, judiciary and particularly the executive, through healthy and constructive criticism and not destructive criticism.

Press Club Elections

Annual elections were held at Naushahro Feroze Press Club and Moro (city in Naushahro Feroze District, of Sindh) Press Club, reported daily Jang on January 17 and 20, daily Dunya on January 19.

Media Obituary

Condolence reference for Haji Muhammad Shafi

Former president of Mardan Press Club Haji Muhammad Shafi died of cardiac arrest and was laid to rest in his ancestral cemetery on January 15. He worked in the field of journalism for 30 years and several times remained president and general secretary of Mardan Press Club. He worked for several media organizations during his journalistic career, reported The Nation and The News on January 16.

Daily Pakistan on January 16 reported that a condolence reference was held at the office of daily Pakistan over the demise of Shafi.

PPF monitored 26 items out of which there were nine programs, eight breaking news, eight detailed news and one ticker related to Pakistani media that were covered in the following television channels: 92 News, Aaj News, Abb Takk, ARY News, Capital TV, Dawn News, Dunya News, Express News, Geo News, Jaag News, Neo News, News One, Samaa and TV One.

Out of 60 news items there were 38 events coverage, 10 press releases, eight press conferences, three articles and one press briefing published in English and Urdu dailies including Dawn, The News, The Nation, The Express Tribune, Business Recorder, Pakistan Today, Regional Times, Balochistan Express, daily Jang, daily Dunya, daily Express, daily Nawa-i-Waqt, daily Intikhab, daily Amn, daily Pakistan.

Forced disappearance of social media activists and bloggers subjugated most of the media coverage in both print and electronic media during the week.  Five social media activists and bloggers are believed to be abducted just for using the right of expression. Owing to the sensitivity of the issue, Pakistan Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani took notice of the incident and invited Interior Minister to share the status in a special briefing to members of the upper house.

As per Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) monitoring in both television and newspaper 54 out of 84 news items were related to Freedom of Expression category, 11 from media regulation, six related to media development; five were from media safety; three news items of ethics; one obituary news; while four news items covered miscellaneous topics.

PPF found that every week the gender of spokesperson in news items has the majority of male spokesperson. Throughout the week female spokesperson in news items were only two and male news makers were 74; while in eight news items gender of spokesperson was not mentioned.

Social media freedom under threat

The incident of disappearance of the social media activists and bloggers was covered throughout the week in TV channels and newspapers. According PPF monitoring there were 37 news items,nine pictures, two articles and one editorial on the issue during seven days. As much as six columns news coverage was published; while TV channels ran breaking news, ticker and programs on the missing activists.

The Express Tribune, The News, The Nation, Dawn, Pakistan Today, Regional Times, Business Recorder,express, Dunya, Nawa-i-Waqt, Intekhab, daily Jang, daily Amnreported the incident. There were in all above mentioned newspapers while Geo TV and Neo TV also covered the incident. The incident was given six columns space in newspapers.

Four social media activists known for their secular views had gone missing last week. Waqas Goraya and Asim Saeed disappeared on January 4 according to a cyber security NGO Bytes for all while Salman Haider vanished on January 6 and Ahmed Raza Naseer on January 9, relatives said.

Naseer, a polio patient, was allegedly seized near Nankana Sahib on January 7, his brother Tahir said. Hours after Haider was due home January 6 evening; his wife received a text message from his phone which states that he was leaving his car on the Islamabad expressway, his brother Faizan said.

Goraya was picked up on January 4 from Lahore, as was his cousin AasimSaeed, said Shahzad Ahmed, head of cyber security NGO Bytes for All, reported Dawn, The Nation, The News, Pakistan Today, daily Jang on January 9 while Geo News and Neo TV also discussed the incident in their programs.

The Nation, The News, Dawn, Pakistan Today, daily Jang on January 12 reported that a fifth social media activist Samar Abbas had gone missing from the capital Islamabad, a colleague said on January 11.

Abbas, a middle-aged IT worker and President of Civil Progressive Alliance of Pakistan, vanished under mysterious circumstances after arriving in the capital Islamabad from Karachi on January 7, according to Talib Raza, a colleague from his organization.

Several rights, political activists and civil society members staged protest demonstrations and raised their concerns over the disappearance of social media activists believed to be abducted. The protestors demanded that the authorities should take immediate action to rescue them and protect the constitutional and democratic right to freedom of expression in the country.

The News, The Express Tribune, Dawn covered the protest on January 10, 11 and 13 while different newspapers including The Nation, Regional Times, The News, Business Recorder, daily Jang, daily Amn on January 12 and 13 published pictures of protest held in different cities of the country throughout the week.

After the protests, Human Rights Watch urged government of Pakistan to immediately investigate the clear abductions of social media activists and bloggers who raised their voice for human rights and religious freedom.

Pakistan is ranked among the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, and reporting critical of security policies is considered a major red flag, with reporters at times detained, beaten and even killed.The News, The Express Tribune, The Nation, Dawn, daily Jang on January 11 reported the event.

The Express Tribune on January 15 reported, Jibran Nasir, a rights advocate submitted an application to the chief justice of Pakistan to intervene in the ‘disappearance’ of four Pakistani bloggers and social media activists.

“Soon after their abductions various Facebook pages reported to be connected to these missing activists were either deleted or went unpublished,” reads the application.

“The disappearances have created terror among social media activists, bloggers and journalists,” the applicant says and terms them an attack on freedom of expression.

Dawn, The News, Business Recorder, daily Jang on January 14 reported that United Kingdom and United States is concerned over the abduction of Pakistani bloggers and social media activists. Deputy spokesperson of American State Department Mark C Toner, said US is taking the disappearances “very seriously” and will “continue to monitor the situation in Pakistan.”

Articles/ Editorials

Abduction of activists

The Express Tribune on January 11 published an editorial entitled “Abduction of activists” covered the recent incident of disappearance of social media activists. The abduction of activists has given a clear message, once again, that the doors to peaceful defiance are not only shut in this country but are too dangerous to even knock on.

 Merely Punjab abductions newsworthy?

Dawn published an article on January 14, entitled “Abducting social activists”, written by Pervez Hoodbhoy (educationist and physicist). Hoodboy writes “Had last week’s kidnappings of bloggers and social media activists happened in Balochistan, it would have been a non-event. But all five abductions happened in Punjab”.  He added; “abduction required complex operations, suggesting involvement of some involvement of some secret state agency.”

 With Impunity

Another article published in The Nation on January 14, entitled “With impunity” by Afrasiab Khattak (retired senator and an analyst of regional affairs). He writes, about ten days ago, a new chapter in the history of enforced disappearance in Pakistan started, when some bloggers and social media activists started disappearing from Islamabad and different places in Punjab.

Death anniversary of Wali Khan Babar

Geo News aired detailed news on January 13 while daily Jang on January 14 reported; Karachi Press Club (KPC) arranged a condolence reference on the occasion of 6^th death anniversary ofmartyred reporter Wali Khan Babar. Brother of slain reporter, Murtaza Khan Babar thanked KPC and journalist’s community and said journalist’s community have always helped him in tough times. President KPC, Siraj Ahmed appreciated his services in the field of journalism.

No other newspaper including The News and channels covered the death anniversary.

Media house attack case

The Anti Terrorism Court held the hearing of media house attack case and reserved the verdict till January 23, against Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Gulfaraz Khattak and others, reported daily Pakistan, daily Nawa-i-Waqt on January 10 while daily Dunya on January 3.

PEMRA: Interactive training programme for Journalists

Renowned anchors, journalists and media persons discussed in detail the scope and role of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), the Code of Conduct 2015 and importance of self-accountability by media houses and anchorpersons. They attended the launching ceremony of a countrywide interactive training programme which PEMRA is going to hold with TV channels and media houses.

Addressing the workshop Chairman PEMRA Absar Alam said the purpose of the initiative was to have an open discussion on electronic media code of conduct 2015 and to get feedback from the relevant stakeholders on improving the regulatory function of the authority and to bridge the gap between the regulatory authority and relevant stakeholders. The News on January 10 reported the story while Geo News on January 12 aired detailed news.

PBA-CMA vow to resolve issues

In other news reported by Capital TV, Geo News, Abb Takk, ARY News, Dunya TV, Neo News aired tickers and detailed news covering Pakistan Broadcasters Association’s (PBA) meeting with Cable Media Association (CMA) which was organized to resolve the issues of cable operators.

Law journalism training

Council of Pakistan Newspaper editors and Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University of Law signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for journalists training in legal journalism.

According to MoU, the two will hold seminars, workshops, training programs, diplomas and certificate courses. Both will cooperate in the field of research and education as well as exchange of journalists, anchors and reporters, reported TheExpress Tribune, Daily Nawa-i-Waqton January 13.

 Media Obituary

Daily Pakistan Bureau Chief and President of Mardan Press Club Haji Muhammad Shafi passed away due to heart fail. Daily Pakistan on January 15 reported the story.

 Press Club Elections

Annual elections were held at Tando Jam (Hyderabad District) Press Club, Malir Press Club (Karachi), and Bulri Shah Karim Press Club, daily Express on January 9, daily Dunya on January 11 and daily Nawa-i-Waqt on January 15.

PPF monitored 25 items out of which there were eight tickers, eight detailed news, four breaking news and five programs related to Pakistani media that were covered in the following television channels: 92 News, Aaj News, Abb Takk, ARY News, Capital TV, Dawn News, Dunya News, Express News, Geo News, Jaag News, Neo News, News One, Samaa and TV One.

Out of 59 news items there were 40 events coverage, 11 press briefings, three opinions, three news reports, two interviews published in English and Urdu dailies including Dawn, The News, The Nation, The Express Tribune, Business Recorder, Pakistan Today, Regional Times, Balochistan Express, daily Jang, daily Dunya, daily Express, daily Nawa-i-Waqt, daily Intikhab, daily Amn, daily Pakistan.

Code of conduct for electronic media, defacing the press club, justice for slain journalist Shan Dahar and arrests of journalists were the major issues covered by media during the week.

As per Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) monitoring 25 out of 88 news items were related to Freedom of Expression category, 23 related to media development; 17 were from media regulation; eight news items of ethics; five news items were related to media obituary and two from media safety; while eight news items covered miscellaneous topics.

Majority of news maker 71 were males, 12 females; while in five news items gender of spokesperson was not mentioned.

The element of fairness was found in 63% news items; however 37% news stories lack fairness. While element of accuracy remained 51% and 49% news stories did not meet the criteria of accuracy.

While monitored 27.5% news items were found partial towards one side while 72.5% news stories were impartial. According to monitoring 47% news carried different view points while 53% stories did not accommodate the various view points.

Deface Press club violent mob scrawls

The News on January 8 published a photograph which showed defaced murals of respected citizens and rights activists being restored at the boundary walls of Karachi Press Club (KPC) which had been defaced with hateful graffiti by activists of the politico-religious organization during a rally on January 4.

A mob of politico-religious organization scrawled messages at KPC boundary walls, they curse media and demanded immediate arrest and execution of Asia Bibi and Shaan Taseer son of Salman Taseer, and also demanded to release their arrested leaders .

On January 4 at the occasion of Salman Taseer’s death anniversary, Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLY) had arranged two separate pro-blasphemy law rallies. On January 6, The Express Tribune published a news story while daily Intekhab, The Nation, Dawn published photographs of the defaced walls of KPC.

Muttahida Quami Movement (London) condemned the incident of defaced murals at KPC boundary walls, reported daily Jang and daily Amn on January 8.

Electronic Media code of conduct

Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Absar Alam announced the authority will soon start interactive sessions with the stakeholders for improving code of conduct on electronic media with the title, “The code of conduct, a collective responsibility”.

The purpose of this initiative is to have an open discussion on Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015, to get feedback from the relevant stakeholders on improving the regulatory function of the PEMRA and to bridge the gap between the regulatory authority and its relevant stakeholders.

The panel discussions are namely “Media: Independent but Less Responsible? “Fake Images and Fake News: How Social Media is Affecting Journalism” and “Ratings vs. Truth: Does Pakistani Electronic Media follow professional standards?” 92 News, Abb Takk, ARY News, Capital TV, Express News, Jaag TV, News One on January 6 aired tickers, breakings news while  The News, The Nation, The Express Tribune on January 7 reported the story.

The News on January 7 published a news analysis written by Mian Saif-ur-Rehman covering the issue of Lahore High Court’s (LHC) decision to annul PEMRA’s bidding process. The judgment of LHC that declared broadcasters eligible for DTH satellite TV licences is an important guideline to PEMRA to correct its policy since 2009.

Justice for slain journalist Shan Dahar

PPF and slain victim Shan Dahar’s family demanded government to re-open Dahar’s murder case. His sister Fauzia while addressing the press conference at Karachi Press Club (KPC) said Shan’s killing was targeted because of his stories on the illicit sale of medicines donated by NGOs in a local hospital and his killers are roaming and hurling dire threats of killing her for pursuing the murder case of her brother.  They demanded Sindh Government to give announced money for his children education, reported Regional Times on January 4.

As per another story Fauzia along with martyred journalist’s daughters Aalia and Raina arranged a condolence ceremony on the 3^rd death anniversary of Dahar at Larkana Press Club.  Speakers demanded justice for journalist and also criticized delays in inquiry, reported Regional Times, daily Dunya on January 2; while daily Intekhab reported the story on January 3.

Reporter detained and released

Imdad Phulpoto, Samaa’s station head in Sukkur was released on January 5, after being beaten, tortured and detained by police.

In the morning of January 5, Phulpoto along with his brother and cousin were beaten and arrested by Khairpur Police led by SSP Imran Mirza. ARY News, Geo News, Samaa aired tickers, breakings news and programs on January 5; while daily Intekhab on January 7 reported the story.

The motive behind arrest was not mentioned by channels and newspaper; however Samma claimed that ruling party persons were behind the victimization of the reporter.

TV reporter injured in attack

Reporter M. Azeem Sarwar and Bureau reporter Atif Imran Baloch of a private TV channel were beaten by Rafique Bandeesha, when they reached in front of their office building. Khanewal Press Club president Sajid Parveez condemned this act and demanded CM Punjab, RPO Multan and DPO Khanewal to arrest involved suspects and punish them, reported daily Nawa-i-Waqt on January 4.

Motive behind attack, details of accused and the name of TV channel was not mentioned by the newspaper.

Journalist arrested for reporting

A free lance video journalist of Khairpur, Sirajuudin Shahwani was arrested on January 3 for his reporting over poor performance of police. Local journalist Ghullam Qadir Soomro, Sanaullah Memon, Khan Muhammad Solangi, and Mithal Khuhro recorded their protest against police for arresting their colleague and demanded officials to take notice of this matter; otherwise they will expand their protesting circle, reported Regional Times on January 4.

LHC issues notice to Jang Group

Lahore High Court (LHC) issued notice against printer and published of Jang Group Mir Shakeel Ur Rehman, Javed Ur Rehman and columnist Ansar Abbasi over the news story published in 2009 on Nanhoo Goria and Justice (retd) Bilal. LHC said, Justice Bilal was given clean chit by the court and the report was published on baseless facts and contempt of courts whoever scandalize judiciary must submit explanation over it.

LHC Chief justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah observed that the court could not stay silent while the judiciary is being scandalized, listening to a petition by Mazhar Ali and others, reported ARY News channel and The Express Tribune on January 5.

Female journalists face more surveillance

Study titled “surveillance of female journalists in Pakistan” conducted by digital rights foundation states that public keeps closer watch on Female journalist than state. State surveillance is more systematic and efficient monitoring and social surveillance audience, political parties, non-state actors, fellow journalists and personal contacts.

According findings, women journalist face as same difficulties as male journalist, people more focus on appearance, character and discourage women. This study recommended that state and media organizations take safety measures to protect female journalists towards this serious issue, published in Dawn on January 2.

Articles/ Editorials

Sensationalism in electronic media

Pakistan Today published an article with the title “Sensationalism in electronic media” written by Abuzar Salman Khan Niazi, media plays a significant in any society and fourth pillar of the state but unfortunately Pakistani media especially electronic media not full fill their responsibilities and exaggerate the issues or news that much time damages Pakistan image and portray wrong perception among the audience. Most of the TV channels and Anchors only chase higher ratings.

Media Freedom

Dawn published an editorial entitled “Media Freedom” on January 2, according to CPJ annual report 2016, “did not identify anyone singled out for murder in Pakistan because of journalistic work” but it’s not mean there have been no targeted murder in country. In August, Dawn News cameraman Mehmood Khan and Aaj TV cameraman Shehzad Ahmed were killed in a bomb blast at the Quetta Civil Hospital while the coverage of murder of the president of the Balochistan Bar Association.

Extremism Unchecked

Dawn on January 7 published an editorial entitled “Extremism Unchecked” which discussed the defaced murals at Karachi press club‘s boundary wall.  In October 2016, a group of artists, painted those women who played a significant role in the society.

The painting had been defaced with hateful graffiti by activists of the politico-religious organization during a rally on January 4.

Press Club Elections

Annual elections of Qazi Ahmed Press Club (Qazi Ahmed, a town in Shaheed Benazir Abad District, Sindh) and Thar Press Club, Mitthi also held, reported daily Express, daily Nawa-i-Waqt on January 2 and daily Jang on January 3.

While on January 3, daily Pakistan and January 6 The Nation reported the, oath taking ceremony of newly elected members of Badin Press Club and Shikarpur Press Club.

Ahfaz-ur-Rehman‘s book second edition

Senior journalist Ahfaz-ur-Rehman‘s book second edition book titled “Sab Say Bari Jang” (The Biggest War), which narrates the struggle of journalist’s movement in General Ziaul Haq’s era 1977-1978.

“During the movement 523 people were arrested which included journalists, human rights activists, political workers and labour leaders. The people arrested were prosecuted in military courts and four of them were flogged publically”, reported daily Dunya, daily Nawa-i-Waqt on January 7 and Dawn on January 8.

Media Obituaries/ Condolence reference

Syed Ghazanfar Uddin

Syed Ghazan­far Uddin, a journalist and former senior sub-editor of Dawn, passed away on January 5. Mr Ghazanfar joined Dawn in 1978 and served the organization till 2002, reported Dawn on January 6.

Rauf Shaikh

Senior journalist and editor coordination of The News Rauf Shaikh passed away on January 7. He started his journalistic career from The Pakistan Times, in the early 1980s; he had been working with The News since 1991. Geo News and The News on January 8 reported the story.

Ishrat U Khan

A condolence reference was held over the demise of journalist Ishrat Khan, organized at Moro (Naushehro Feroze District) Press Club under supervision of president Arshad U Khan, reported Regional Times on January 3 and daily Dunya on January 4.

PPF monitored 33 items out of which there were 19 tickers, six detailed news, four breaking news, three programs and one headline related to Pakistani media that were covered in the following television channels: 92 News, Aaj News, Abb Takk, ARY News, Capital TV, Dawn News, Dunya News, Express News, Geo News, Jaag News, Neo News, News One, Samaa and TV One.

Out of 55 news items there were 26 events coverage, 11 press releases, six press conferences, four photographs, three press briefings, three opinions, one interview and one analysis published in English and Urdu dailies including Dawn, The News, The Nation, The Express Tribune, Business Recorder, Pakistan Today, Regional Times, Balochistan Express, daily Jang, daily Dunya, daily Express, daily Nawa-i-Waqt, daily Intikhab, daily Amn, daily Pakistan.