Journalism in danger in Pakistan: Shocking IFJ report on ‘World-Press-Freedom-Day’

Islamabad: A shocking report published by the International Federation of Journalists on Friday evening states that, ‘Journalism is in danger in Pakistan.’ D.T. 3 May is celebrated as ‘International Journalism Day’. Legal notice has been given to more than 60 journalists in Pakistan. While dozens of journalists have been detained. He has been accused of ‘treason’, spreading terrorism and inciting people to riot.

The IFG report says journalists are becoming ‘punching-bags’ for security forces. Thus both journalists and bloggers have to face the wrath of the security forces. They are also threatened. 4 journalists have been made ‘Jannat-Nasheen’. There is no freedom of expression in Pakistan. No one can criticize the government too much. Journalists and bloggers are the most targeted. This has also been said in the report.

The report further states that journalists who are particularly loyal to former Prime Minister Imran Khan are the first to be targeted. However, pressure on journalists is nothing new in Pakistan. The last three governments have been putting pressure on journalists. But this time the pressure is becoming terrible.

It has been said in this report that 4 journalists were murdered in Punjab. When two journalists were murdered in Sindh. Along with this, caste discrimination is also visible in journalism. Probably due to government repression the number of women journalists is decreasing there. Their safety is becoming important.

Both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have assured journalists of safety, but it appears to remain only on paper.