WASHINGTON: An International media advocacy group, Reporters Without Borders, urged Pakistani authorities on Tuesday not to impose sanctions against Dawn and two of its journalists.<\/p>\n
The group, better known by its French acronym RSF, also opposed the government\u2019s plan to impose a \u201ccode of conduct\u201d on the entire print media.<\/p>\n
In a statement issued in Washington, the RSF said that it was \u201copposed to any sanctions by Pakistani authorities against the Dawn newspaper and two of its journalists, and is disturbed by government plans for a \u2018code of conduct\u2019 for the print media.\u201d<\/p>\n
The RSF noted that in a May 10 statement, the government confirmed that disciplinary measures could be taken against Dawn\u2019s Editor Zaffar Abbas and reporter Cyril Almeida over a report published in October 2016 by the newspaper based on sources within the government.<\/p>\n
The group also noted that the prime minister\u2019s office said in a statement that the story \u201chad no relevance to actual discussion and facts\u201d but a part of the establishment \u201cinsisted on the creation of a commission of enquiry with the aim of punishing those who had leaked classified information\u201d.<\/p>\n
The enquiry led to the removal of several government officials, it added.<\/p>\n
\u201cDawn is Pakistan\u2019s oldest newspaper and enjoys a great deal of credibility with the country\u2019s journalist community, readers and civil society,\u201d said RSF while referring to an editor\u2019s note defending the story: \u201cFirst, this newspaper considers it a sacred oath to its readers to pursue its reporting fairly, independently and, above all, accurately. The story that has been rejected by prime minister\u2019s office as a fabrication was verified, cross-checked and fact-checked.\u201d<\/p>\n
The RSF described the government\u2019s announcement that it now wants to establish a \u201ccode of conduct\u201d for the entire print media as \u201ca bid to exploit the case and make an example out of Dawn\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis attempt by the civilian authorities and the military to punish journalists is very disturbing,\u201d RSF Editor-in-Chief Virginie Dangles said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe authorities must abandon the disciplinary measures and the creation of a \u2018code of conduct\u2019 for the print media, which would set a dangerous precedent and make the environment for journalists in Pakistan even more hostile.\u201d<\/p>\n
The RSF also noted that four bloggers were recently released by authorities after going missing in January. Pakistan is ranked 139th out of 180 countries in the RSF\u2019s 2017 World Press Freedom Index.<\/p>\n
Dawn<\/a><\/p>\n