How can Pakistani journalists protect themselves?
The memorial service in Washington for journalist Saleem Shahzad–who was killed around May 29–was held at the National Press Club this past Monday. Anwar Iqbal, dean of the Pakistani press corps in Washington, led the ceremony. Ambassador to the U.S. Hussain Haqqani spoke eloquently about the degree of loss brought by Shahzad’s brutal killing. While…
Mission Journal: CPJ tackles impunity in Pakistan
After months of planning and preparation, our CPJ team had assembled in Islamabad with an ambitious plan. On May 3, we had a meeting scheduled with President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss the country’s failure to investigate the killings of journalists. We also had positive indications that our delegation would be able to meet with…
Egyptian media say foreign journalists have ‘hidden agenda’
New York, February 5, 2011–As journalists face ongoing attacks and detentions in Cairo, they are increasingly concerned that state broadcasts are creating an atmosphere that is encouraging violence against the media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. State television and radio, along with pro-Mubarak private stations, are giving frequent airtime to presenters and guests…
Pakistani journalist gunned down at his home in Sindh
New York, December 6, 2010–Authorities in Sindh province must fully investigate Sunday’s shooting death of Pakistani journalist Mehmood Chandio, president of the Mirpurkhas press club and bureau chief for the Sindhi-language television Awaz, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Journalist found dead in Baluchistan
New York, November 22, 2010–The Committee to Protect Journalists is investigating the circumstances surrounding the murder of Pakistani journalist Lala Hameed Baloch. His body was found with gunshot wounds on Thursday outside of Turbat, in western Pakistan’s Baluchistan province.
Pakistani TV stations remain off the air during floods
New York, August 10, 2010–Pakistan’s major news broadcasters ARY TV and GEO TV are off the air in Karachi and Sindh province for a third day since supporters of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of President Asif Ali Zardari have reportedly severed cable connections of the distributors that carry them. Demonstrations at the offices of the distributors and the…
On Pakistan’s frontier, home is often the cost of reporting
In an alert on Monday, we reported on an attack that left at least six women and children seriously injured at the home of local television journalist Zafarullah Bonari along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. A group of unidentified attackers threw grenades and opened fire on Bonari’s house. The information was scant when we first heard about…
Six injured in Pakistan attack believed to target journalist
New York, July 26, 2010—At least six women and children were seriously injured late today after a group of unidentified attackers threw grenades and opened fire on a home connected to television correspondent Zafarullah Bonari, according to Pakistani journalists.
One cameraman dead, several injured in Quetta bombing
New York, April 16, 2010–At least one Pakistani journalist was killed and others were injured in a suicide bombing at a hospital in Quetta today, according to international news reports. Details are still emerging, and some of the injured are reported to be in critical condition, but Pakistani colleagues tell CPJ that a senior Samaa TV cameraman,…
Attacks on the Press 2009: Pakistan
Top Developments• Press has very limited access during two military offensives.• Reporters face attacks, threats from all sides. Four are killed. Key Statistic 6: Homes of journalists destroyed by militants in retaliatory attacks. As Pakistan’s military launched two major offensives within its borders, officials pressured news media to report favorably on the conflicts while the Taliban and…