Drop in journalist killings in Pakistan masks decline in press freedom
CPJ report finds military pressures media to self-censor Washington D.C., September 12, 2018–Pakistan’s press is under pressure as the country’s powerful military quietly but effectively encourages self-censorship, the Committee to Protect Journalists found in its report, “Acts of Intimidation: In Pakistan, journalists’ fear and censorship grow even as fatal violence declines.” The report will be…
Acts of Intimidation: In Pakistan, journalists’ fear and censorship grow even as fatal violence declines
As killings of journalists in Pakistan decline so too does press freedom, as the country’s powerful military quietly, but effectively, restricts reporting by barring access, encouraging self-censorship through direct and indirect acts of intimidation, and even allegedly instigating violence against reporters. Journalists who push back or are overly critical of authorities are attacked, threatened, or…
CPJ to release report on press freedom in Pakistan
New York, September 4, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists will release its report, “Acts of Intimidation: In Pakistan, journalists’ fear and censorship grow even as fatal violence declines,” on September 12, 2018. The report will be accompanied by a documentary and a panel discussion at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C.
Silence from judiciary over media attacks increases self-censorship, Pakistan’s journalists say
When it comes to the military and the judiciary, Pakistan’s journalists are “between a rock and a hard place,” Zohra Yusuf, of the independent non-profit Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, told CPJ. In recent months the judiciary, which has a history of siding with Pakistan’s powerful military, has remained largely silent amid attempts to censor…
Pakistani police arrest, beat Norwegian TV reporter covering political rally
New York, July 17, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Pakistani authorities to allow journalists to carry out their work without fear of reprisal. Journalist Kadafi Zaman, a reporter for Norway’s TV 2, told CPJ he was arrested and beaten by police while covering a political rally on July 13 in Gujrat city,…
CPJ Safety Advisory: Covering Pakistan’s 2018 election
Pakistan’s general elections are scheduled for July 25. Journalists covering the election may face intimidation or physical aggression, especially when covering political rallies and protests, and the possibility of terrorist attacks. In May, the Pakistan-based media watchdog Freedom Network documented 23 violations against the media. Journalists are also at risk of abduction or increased online…
CPJ calls on Pakistan’s PM to protect press freedom ahead of elections
CPJ expresses concern that recent events in Pakistan signal that the media is not free to report on the upcoming elections, and urges the government to take necessary measures to guarantee journalists’ ability to work without fear of intimidation or reprisal.
With elections looming in Pakistan, two journalists attacked
New York, June 6, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today strongly condemned the abduction of journalist Gul Bukhari and the attack against journalist Asad Kharal in Lahore, Pakistan, yesterday and urged Pakistani authorities to promptly investigate the incidents and prosecute the perpetrators.
Pakistan army spokesperson accuses journalists of anti-state activity on social media
New York, June 5, 2018–The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned comments from Major General Asif Ghafoor, spokesperson for Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies, who accused journalists of sharing anti-state remarks on social media.
Pakistani authorities disrupt distribution of Dawn newspaper
New York, May 22, 2018–Pakistani authorities should immediately halt any restrictions on the distribution of Dawn newspaper in Pakistan, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Distribution of the newspaper has been disrupted in many parts of the country in recent weeks, Dawn editor Zaffar Abbas told CPJ.