‘Editors for Safety’, an organisation of newspaper editors and heads of television channels working for safety and security of journalists, has expressed it’s serious concern on a series of attacks on journalists and television crews in different cities by supporters of some religious organisations during today’s protest rallies.

Reports from Lahore, Karachi, Hyderabad and some other cities say protesters attacked office of a TV station, attacked DSNG (outdoor broadcast) vans, pelted stones at press clubs, and manhandled journalists.

‘Editors for Safety’ Chairman , while condemning these attacks, has said that neither the government nor the protesters can force any news outlet to shape the news coverage of any event in accordance with their wishes.

‘Editors for Safety’ has called upon the federal Minister for Interior and the provincial governments to provide maximum security to media teams and media houses, and to take action against those responsible for these attacks.

Pakistan Press Foundation

On 20 December, 2015 Muhammad Ansar, a reporter of Aaj News television channel was manhandled by police for covering the allegedly illegal closing down of sugar mills in Tando Muhammad Khan, a district in the southern part of Sindh province in Pakistan.

Police tried to prevent Ansar from filming the protest of laborers. Police also snatched his camera and cell phone. He was also detained and released two hours later after protests by journalists, and coverage of the incident by television channels

The incident occurred when a heavy contingent of police along with private security guards went to the mill to restrain the laborers from entering into Seeri Sugar Mill which was reopened on the orders of Sindh High Court.

Ansar while talking to PPF said the policemen sized his camera and made me to sit in police mobile for over an hour. The camera was returned but without the footage of the protests and police action. Police took his motorcycle and the next day when he went to the police station, he was told they did not have any policemen.

Journalists from Tando Muhammad Khan Press Club protested against the manhandling and the high handed attitude of the police.

Pakistan Press Foundation