Pakistan most dangerous for journalists

Pakistan most dangerous for journalists: Monitor



With 12 journalists killed in 2010, Pakistan tops the list of countries where journalists remain in perpetual danger even though democracy returned in 2008, according to the Media Monitor for 2010 launched by South Asia Media Commission simultaneously in Islamabad and Lahore on Tuesday (December 28, 2010).

The Media Monitor, published each year, reports on the quality of journalism as it develops each year in South Asia, including Pakistan.

A four-member presidium with senior journalist Afzal Khan in the chair released the summary of the Monitor.

Journalist Imtiaz Gul, Executive Director of Center for Research and Security Studies; SAFMA Director Ashfaq Saleem Mirza and journalist Matiullah Jan were three other members of the presidium.

The first part of the report dealing with the situation in Pakistan titled ‘Still dangerous despite Freedom’ states that with 12 journalists and one media worker killed in 2010, Pakistan was among the top position holders in the list of ‘most dangerous countries’ in the world because the media here was increasingly coming under attack and journalists were becoming victims of both state and non-state actors in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Baluchistan.’

The Monitor adds that half of the journalists died as a result of target killings that had become quite common.

Those killed while performing duties [as journalists] included Ashiq Ali Magsi (Mehran TV), Faiz M. Khan Sasoli (Independent News of Pakistan), Haji Misri Khan Orakzai (of Hangu District), Mujeebur Rahman Siddique (Pakistan), Abdul Hameed Hayatan (Royal TV) M. Khan Sasoli (President Khuzdar Press Club). They were killed while on coverage duty and were specially targeted by murderers, including a number of banned outfits.

The Monitor also highlighted the fact that “death of these journalists showed how difficult and dangerous it had become to file reports in certain areas of the country.”

It was acknowledged in the report, that the Pakistan media had won current freedom after a long democratic struggle, in fact after the restoration of democracy, and that politicians were generally tolerant of the media.

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