Daily Times

Sir: It has become common practice for law enforcement agencies to target journalists whenever and wherever it is possible for them to do so. Journalists are duty-bound to go to any place where an important event of public interest takes place, be that a public meeting, a political rally or a sports event.
Journalists perform their duties to keep the people informed of what is happening and they do so quite often at the risk of exposing themselves to unforeseen perils. Friday’s incident outside the Election Commission’s office in Islamabad is an ugly example of how ruthlessly the journalist community was treated by the armed, baton-wielding policemen.
Why should the presence of journalists provoke the authorities? They are not party to any dispute nor do they take sides. They simply go to a place where an event of public interest is taking place. They don’t carry weapons with them that could provoke the authorities. Their only possessions are pens and paper or a camera, which are quite harmless.
Many journalists have lost their lives as a result of ruthless treatment meted out to them by unscrupulous official personnel. A large number of them have sustained serious injuries. In the recent past, the Lal Masjid episode saw a similar gory drama of targeting innocent journalists.
The way journalists are being treated is a slur on our society and it needs to be addressed in an appropriate manner. The credit goes to General Pervez Musharraf for giving press freedom in this country, but some un-mindful elements are out to destroy the liberty granted to the press and media. The general should himself take the initiative to protect the lives of journalists at events of public interest. The law enforcement agencies will have to be reined in to uphold the sanctity of the pen. Suppressing journalists is tantamount to stifling democracy.
ZIAUDDIN BUTT
Islamabad