Pakistanis address violence on Pakistani journalists
There is an absolutely terrific seven-part special report by The News on Sunday on Pakistan’s problem with the killing of journalists and the impunity surrounding their deaths. It’s written by and for Pakistanis, with compelling direction from Adnan Rehmat of Intermedia Pakistan–and not only describes and analyzes the problem, but offers approaches to potential solutions.
Pakistani journalist gunned down in Baluchistan
New York, November 19, 2012–Pakistani authorities must immediately investigate the murder of a journalist who was shot to death in Baluchistan on Sunday, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Rehmatullah Abid was the second Dunya News TV journalist to be killed this year.
Baluchistan latest epicenter of attacks on Pakistani press
It is one step forward and two steps back in Pakistan’s restive Baluchistan province. The nation’s highest court has acknowledged the dangerous climate journalists face in Baluchistan, but it has also affirmed a directive that only adds to the pressure cooker conditions that journalists work under.
In Pakistan, a murderous exercise in democracy
Covering political rallies in Pakistan must be considered a dangerous assignment. One journalist was killed and three others injured on Sunday when gunmen opened fire on a Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) rally in Khairpur in Sindh province. All told, at least six died and 10 were wounded critically.
Armed men kill Pakistani journalist in Khuzdar
New York, October 1, 2012–Unidentified assailants shot to death a prominent journalist on Saturday in the city of Khuzdar in Baluchistan province, according to news reports. Abdul Haq Baloch was the secretary-general of the Khuzdar Press Club and a longtime correspondent of ARY Television, news reports said.
Pakistan journalists’ choice: Face death or jail
CPJ’s 2012 Impunity Index, an annual ranking of countries where journalists are murdered regularly and governments fail to solve the crimes, found unsolved journalist murders have increased in Pakistan.In an interview with the Associated Press, Bob Dietz, CPJ Asia Program Coordinator, describes the escalating violence against journalists in Pakistan’s province of Baluchistan. Click here for the full…
Is Pakistan’s Ansar Abbasi being banned?
Ansar Abbasi, editor of investigations for Pakistan’s leading media group Jang, is apparently facing a de facto ban from his own employers. Other TV channels also report being told not to air his views. Abbasi has charged cable operators with spreading immoral, anti-Islamic messages through Indian movies and other popular culture broadcasts. In response, he…
Election corruption grave threat to Pakistan’s media
“Elections will not be fought, but will be bought,” is a saying being used by political tacticians in Pakistan. Hope for the legitimacy of the country’s first fair transfer of power between two civilian governments with the oversight of unbiased media is disappearing quickly. Billions of rupees are pouring into media outlets through secret sources,…
Principled broadcasting in Pakistan, a work in progress
Pakistan’s media, particularly broadcast, are often praised and condemned, sometimes in the same sentence. The number of television broadcasters exploded under the Musharraf government, growing to around 90 private cable and satellite channels. And while the growth has been swift and competitive, very often the end product leaves a lot to be desired–as many in…
Can Pakistan’s corrupt media be checked?
With ratings driving the profits of media channels, journalists and political talk show hosts are being motivated to stir up controversy at any cost. Meanwhile, the professionals who believe in credibility, objectivity, and honesty as essential parts of ethical journalism are becoming sidelined.