Pakistan - Speak and Die - Stop Killing Journalists

By Iflah Farooq

The heralds of present time, by all means, are journalists. This profession is the fountain head of statistics, facts, prerequisite of a progressive and sophisticated society. Through free media, masses access information concerning any matter of vital importance, combine with the surety that their opinion and voices are being heard by higher authorities.

However exploring veiled realities of repressive and cruel regimes and governments is a hard-hitting and painful experience that these journalists encounter on daily basis. In wake of this struggle several lost their valuables lives. Most recent victim of freedom of speech is Maltese eminent journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia best known for her work on Panama Papers Leaks, killed in an apparent car blast for a 'crime of searching and speaking the truth.'

Journalists are vulnerable in every corner of the current world, especially in war-ravaged areas. Despairs and miseries of local people in war- torn counties seek limelight through the extensive work on part of reporters and journalists. In line of duty 30 journalists lost their lives in 2017 alone, the figure was 115 in 2016. According to Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Iraq is deadliest place for journalists followed by Syria, both battle-damaged countries.

In Pakistan, although history of violence against journalists is not new occurrence yet deadliest time period for journalists was 2007- 2014 during which nearly 65 journalists lost their lives for the sake of duty.

World as a whole proclaims freedom of speech as citizens' fundamental right and promotes journalists' safety through ample initiatives. Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit (MALU), UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), European Convention on Human Rights (Article 10), the American Convention on Human Rights (Clause 13), Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP) and UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity (2016), all acknowledge and safeguard the freedom of speech and press. Likewise constitution of Pakistan safeguards freedom of speech and citizens' right to information under the Article 19 and 19(A). Furthermore in 2014 National Assembly approved the Bill for Protection of journalists.

But despite all laws and legislations, system is still ill-equipped. Violations are common observation; sometime under religious tag or under the banner of national security journalists are bound to withhold the truth. Whether it was Wali khan Babar of Pakistan, Marie Colvin of America, Kenji Goto of Japan killed in Syria, or Daphne Caruana Galizia of Malta, all got punished for exercising their constitutionally secured fundamental right which ultimately claimed their lives while covering either horrors of any conflict or speaking against grave realities of society.

It is the favour from journalist community that public is able to differentiate erroneous acts either on part of their government, military or by any international regime. Investigating and presenting truth, especially in a tyrannical setting is a tough job, still journalists are ready to continue. Therefore, the matter of urgency is to enrich the practical efforts for journalist safety. Additional legislation for filling the loopholes, accountability of government and execution of judiciary, governmental guardianship and insurances on behalf of media houses as well softening of asylum seeking rules must be focal points for straightening the odds for this profession.