KARACHI: The representatives of press clubs belonging to different areas of Pakistan agreed that the rush to break news combined with the unprofessional attitude of editors, newsroom personnel and media houses leave journalists working in the field vulnerable and at risk.
These views were expressed during the ‘National Consultative Dialogue on the Safety of Journalists’ organised by the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) in collaboration with Open Society Institute (OSI) at a local hotel in Karachi on Thursday.
Leading journalists from press clubs in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Abbottabad, Khuzdar, Federally Administered Tribal Areas and other cities participated in the dialogue.
PPF Secretary General Owais Aslam Ali moderated the interactive discussion, ensuring participation of all representatives in identifying challenges faced by journalists. He also shared PPF’s vision and mandate of capacity building along with safety and security of media professionals.
Participants also narrated stories of attacks on their respective press clubs, and the threats faced by their members.
It was agreed that the ‘breaking news’ phenomenon found in electronic media, combined with non-professional attitude of newsroom editors puts journalists at great risk. Lack of awareness of safety measures and guidelines among journalists was also cited as a problem.
Hammad Rind of the Balochistan Union of Journalists added that reporters and editors often crossed the line between journalism and activism. He said that partisanship, or prejudice in favour of one viewpoint also puts media personnel at risk.
Participants also emphasised the need for proper follow up on cases of attack on media, and to put an end to the impunity enjoyed by those who target media professionals. The discussion also revolved around how to identify those journalists killed or injured while performing their professional duties.
Karachi Press Club Secretary Alauddin Khanzada bemoaned the role of media owners in following up on cases of attack on journalists. He added that families of victims should be provided financial compensation and legal assistance. Khanzada emphasised that families of victims need to take the lead in this regard, citing the example of slain journalist Wali Khan Babar, whose brother ensured that those responsible were brought to justice.
The second half of the workshop focused on solutions and the role various stakeholders including media houses, unions, government, law enforcement agencies and civil society organisations can play in improving safety conditions of journalists.
Participants were of the view that training sessions and workshops on hostile environment, trauma and security measures, particularly for those working in conflict zones were needed to ensure their protection. They said that better equipment and safety gear would also help those in the field to protect themselves.
During the seminar, it was discussed that provision of insurance, promise of compensation, and consistent follow-up on attacks on journalists, unions, media owners and government officials would also improve the overall situation. Moreover, payment of proper salaries to district reporters and implementation of the Wage Board Award were also cited as solutions.
The representatives of the various press clubs also opined that better coordination and communication with law-enforcement agencies and government would help to improve safety standards.