Now-a-days media is once again under attack, not only by a fresh ordinance but by practically disrupting telecast of certain important channels. In addition working journalists are put on hit list and are being threatened directly.
One gets more perturbed recalling the events of recent past, Journalists were abducted, tortured even murdered. Being blown to death in bomb attack is another method to punish.
In this situation I have before me a book titled "The Press under siege" by late Zamir Niazi. It is second edition of the book first published in 1992.
The book was commented upon widely at national and international levels. Commenting on the book Zohra Yausaf wrote "The book leaves us with a chilling question: are we looking in vain for the light of tolerance at the end of the tunnel of violence?" The question has gained more significance as the situation is getting bad to worst. Dr Syed Jafar Ahmed in his note has explained the reason for bring out this edition. There are two striking features of this book. One being the writer's absolute in partiality in recording the facts.
He hasn't spared even his close friends if, in his opinion, they were on the wrong side or they fell shot of what the situation or their position demanded. One may question the quality of his judgement but not his intent. He remains loyal to what he considers right and principled.
The other aspect is the intellectual honesty. As a researcher, if not a historian, he examines and re-examines the facts and events he is writing about. He demanded from his friends and co-workers documentary proof of whatever they narrated. That is why no body dared to question the authencity of the facts, figures, events and places.
The book is divided into five chapters with sub-chapters.
-- A Dangerous Profession (Blatant blackmail, Burn Them, Holy Fury, The Valley of Despair.
-- Censorship in the Street (An ominous start, the royal ere, Et Tu Brute?)
-- The Carpetbaggers (The Salvation Army, Back to the Beginning, Men of Straw, Propaganda Tools.
-- The Shackles of Fear (The harvest of Sorrow, Down but Not Out. The Deadliest Beat)
-- An Unending Siege (The Chronology).
The subject has been dealt with comprehensively. The language though not flowery has an engaging flavour.
Though its focal point is press, but the arrangement and depiction of the events encompasses the political developments also, indirectly.
Pakistan Study Centre has developed and established its stander of immaculate production. As it is not a commercial organisation so the price fixed is reasonable and affordable.