Media workers call for united action to prevent violence against journalists

With violence against journalists on the rise, ensuring their safety, especially in crises and emergency, has never been more critical. In Pakistan, increasing rate of harassment against journalists highlights the urgent need for stronger protections.

This was stated at a roundtable discussion recently held at the Media Baithak Karachi to promote collaboration between Pakistani and international journalists for improving Pakistan’s legislative framework to safeguard journalists. The discussion was organised by the Global Neighbourhood for Media Innovation (GNMI) in collaboration with Promoting Unity and Leadership for Social Empowerment (PULSE).

Najia Ashar, GNMI president, opened the discussion by introducing its themes and highlighted Pakistan's pro-journalist’ laws. She stressed the importance of cross-border collaboration between the governments, civil society organisations, and media to eradicate impunity and promote a safer environment for media practitioners.

Louis Hansen, director of PULSE and investigative journalist at the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism, highlighted the importance of global journalist protection, sharing personal experiences of harassment and threats. He called for a united front to advocate for press freedom.

Journalist Afia Salam spoke about risks journalists faced in Pakistan where weak enforcement of protection laws often left the offenders unpunished. She called for enhanced training and resources, particularly for those in conflict zones.

Lubna Jerar Naqvi, Gender coordinator for the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in Pakistan, highlighted the critical need for increased public awareness regarding journalists’ safety laws and their rights. She called upon the families of journalists to actively support them in pursuing legal action against perpetrators of violence.

Sheher Bano, vice president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, provided a holistic overview of the data on journalist fatalities, noting that since 1992, over 50 journalists had been killed in Pakistan, with six killed just this year. She appealed to the lawmakers to take journalist bodies on board while promulgating laws for the safety of journalists.

The event ended with a call for collective action and increased public awareness for safety and protection of the media practitioners.