Daily Times

LAHORE: The World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) – 2017 was observed on Wednesday with a demand to protect the rights of media workers, secure their jobs and ensure their life safety by taking compulsory steps.

In this connection, the Lahore Press Club (LPC) in collaboration with sister organisations jointly held a seminar at the LPC premises. A candlelight vigil was also organised.

The ceremony paid a glowing tribute to journalists, who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It also condemned the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for cancelling the licence of a private TV channel. No major ceremony was organised by the government to celebrate the day and appreciate the services of media workers.

Office-barriers of LPC, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ), Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (EMRA), Electronic News Cameramen Association (ENCA), besides a large number of senior journalists and media workers attended the event.

Addressing the ceremony, speakers said that the government should take necessary steps for protection of journalists’ rights. They demanded that the government and media owners should ensure their job protection. They said that government should also introduce media-friendly policies for journalists’ welfare.

At the end, shields were distributed among participants.