ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Monday called upon All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Council for Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) and Pakistan Broadcasters’ Association (PBA) to extend their support to protest sit-in to be staged in front of the Parliament House on December 8 against non-provision of security to the media houses by the incumbent government.

In a letter sent to APNS, CPNE and PBA, PFUJ President Afzal Butt urged to thoroughly denounce blatant attacks on media establishments, crimes against journalists and threats to free media in the country.

“In 2015 alone, as many as eight media workers have been targeted and shot; six of them lost their lives. In past couple of months alone, two media houses have been raided; attacked with grenades. Others are operating under serious threats,” the letter said.It further stated that despite numerous commitments and promises the federal government has miserably failed to provide an enabling environment for an independent media in Pakistan.

The letter underlined the fact that in the past five years, Pakistan has been dubbed as ‘the most dangerous country for practicing journalism’ by at least three credible international media watchdogs.

Since year 2000, 111 journalists and media workers have lost their lives in the line of duty. Statistically speaking, a journalist has died every 48 days in Pakistan for the past 15 years.

It said: “To protest against this new wave of targeted attacks on media houses and the workers, PFUJ is staging a demonstration and a sit-in, in front of the Parliament House starting from 8th of December, 2015.”

The primary objectives of the protest sit-in include provision of safety for journalists and media houses; arrest of perpetrators involved in crimes against media and journalists; and establishment of special prosecutors at both federal and provincial level to pursue the cases of slain journalists.

PFUJ along with some civil society groups has been leading the struggle to secure safe environment for journalists. However, the recent attacks have proved that the battle for the freedom of media and expression is far from over.

The letter stated “Join us from 8th of December, in front of the Parliament House to demand the right of justice for our slain colleagues and security for the media workers.”

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Islamabad – As many as four committees have been set up to make effective contacts with political parties, civil society organisations, trade unions and journalist organisations to ensure all out participation in protest sit-ins of the journalists in front of national and all provincial assemblies on December 8 against non-provision of security to the media houses by the incumbent government.

The committees were formed in a joint meeting of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), National Press Club (NPC) and Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ). Under the chairmanship of PFUJ president Afzal Butt, the meeting was held to review arrangements for the protest sit-in that would continue till the government takes measures to provide foolproof security to all media houses in the country.

The members of the committee would personally contact and meet the politicians, members of the civil society organisations and representatives of the trade unions and would invite them to the protest sit-ins aiming at pushing the government to honor its pledges to provide security to journalists working across the country.

The participants of the meeting were of the view that if the government failed to show its seriousness, journalists would be forced to extend the circle of their protest in each and every nook of the country.

They opined that journalists and the media houses were being targeted and it was responsibility of the government to provide peace and protection to every person of the country, including journalists.

Speaking on the occasion, PFUJ President Afzal Butt said that the journalists would stage sit-in in front of the national and provincial assemblies on December 8 against increased attacks on the media houses across the country.

“The government had promised foolproof security to the media houses after the launch of National Action Plan (NAP) because the media has been playing a vital role in the ongoing war on terror,” he said.

He said, “The journalists are pursuing their professional duties in the face of threats by the terrorists and other anti-state elements but the government never ever bothered to think about their security.”

The PFUJ president said that it was quite unfortunate that the terrorists targeted the journalists and the media houses and were often not arrested due to weaknesses in the police system.

“We will not end our protest sit-in unless the government will take effective measures to honour its pledge to provide foolproof security to media houses.”

RIUJ President Ali Raza Alvi said that the irresponsible behaviour of the government had forced the journalists to raise voice for their protection, adding, “The journalists have been rendering sacrifices especially in the war on terror and they are still on the frontline.” RIUJ General Secretary Bilal Dar said that the committees formed in the meeting would make contacts with political parties and representatives of the civil society organisations and trade unions for a peaceful protest in front of the national and provincial assemblies.

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The PCP told the authorities that the freedom of press, free flow of information and right to know is the fundamental right of every citizen of Pakistan guaranteed under Article 19 & 19-A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It said no one has right to force or put pressure in any way on the media to toe his line and to get news of his choice. It said the freedom of press is to be ensured at every cost.

Under sub-section 1(i) of Section 8 of the PCP Ordinance, the freedom of press is to be preserved. Similarly, under sub-section 2 of Section 8 of the PCP Ordinance, 2002, it is statutory obligation of the PCP “to act as a shield to freedom of press or against any sort of interference in the proper functioning of the press, by any person, party or organisation etc”. Attacks on the media are not only condemnable but are also tantamount to causing interference in the dissemination of information to the general public. Such action is not a good sign and cannot be justified in democratic norms and culture.The PCP requested the concerned authorities to take appropriate action in the matter and provide proper security to media houses.

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