Press Freedom Day: government urged to ensure safety of journalists

Speakers at a seminar or Saturday urged upon the government to ensure safety of journalists in the country as the community is becoming vulnerable due to growing lack of tolerance in society. The seminar "Safety of Journalists and Combating Impunity" in connection with the World Press Freedom Day 2016," was held at a hotel here. Addressing the conference, chief guest Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan said media has played a pivotal role in the betterment of system. "We need further support of media to strengthen institutions," he added.
He said law enforcement agencies have maintained law and order situation in the city; besides, federal government has rendered full support to provincial government in this regard. MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said journalist community has played a critical role in the restoration of democracy in the country. PML-N leader Senator Nehal Hashmi said there is a difference between propaganda and journalism. "Journalism is a holy profession," he said.
He said freedom of press is very important for strengthening democracy. He said journalist community should remove black sheep from its rank and file. Senior journalist Idrees Bakhtiar was underscored the need for job security of journalists. Prominent journalist Qaatrina Hosain said journalism is not enjoying freedom in Pakistan, adding that there is myriad of hurdles in exercising the right to freedom of expression in print and electronic media.
"Media owners have been controlled by political elite and we do not know to whom we could support or we cannot," she added. She said media houses are held hostage to 'rating'. She said women journalists are facing hostile attitude in the field. "Women journalists are determined to expose the ills of society. No matter how much abusive and hostile environment they face in the field," she maintained.
Iqbal Khattak in his recommendation to deal with security challenges facing journalists said the government, journalists and civil society must develop a consensus to deal with safety issues. He said federal and provincial governments should make legislations to provide security to media houses and journalists. He suggested that journalists should be provided life insurance. "Journalists should have the courage to say 'no' to their bosses in case of danger in chasing a story," he added. Other speakers included Sajjad Mir, Javaid Chaudhry and A H Khanzada.