Pakistani media outlets condemn TTP threats January 17, 2014 PESHAWAR – Pakistani media professionals are vowing to maintain a free press in the face of the Talibans recent threats against them, and the country is calling for broad support of the media, given their key role in the war against terrorism. Several journalists have lost their lives for the truth, KP Inspector General of Police Nasir Khan Durrani said. [But] the police will take any security measure to protect media men and media houses. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) shura, under the leadership of Mullah Fazlullah, recently decided unanimously to target journalists or news outlets that carry what they call fabricated statements that tarnish the TTPs image or that of their spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid. But journalists remain committed to providing accurate accounts of what is happening in society. The media have to convey a true picture to the masses, Peshawar-based senior journalist and Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) President Nisar Mehmood told Central Asia Online. No doubt journalists, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [KP] and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas [FATA], are facing death threats, but still we have to depict a true picture of society and convey the truth, he said. The threats will not destroy journalistic principles, journalist and former Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) secretary general Mazhar Abbas said. Journalism cannot be eliminated; yes, many of the journalists could be killed but not the journalism, he said. Pervaiz Shoukat, former president of PFUJ, agreed. No threat can stop us from writing impartial reports, Shoukat said. Since 1992, 53 journalists have been killed in Pakistan, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Those who have complaints about the media should either pursue legal action or hold press conferences instead of threatening the media, he said. The point of view of every stakeholder is published in media without any fear or favour, Shoukat said of media efforts. Threats meant to discourage freedom of expression simply will not be tolerated, Peshawar Press Club President Nasir Hussain said. TTP militants have no grounds to complain, especially if they are not available or refuse to comment when reporters seek an opinion, he added. PFUJ Secretary General Amin Yousaf condemned the Talibans threats against journalists and vowed that the media would continue to portray society accurately and fearlessly. Government ready to protect journalists Others called on the government to take a firm stand against the militants. Protection of journalists and media offices is the responsibility of the government, KP Senior Minister Siraj ul Haq said, adding that the KP government will support the media in any critical situation. The government is fully aware about the difficulties and hardships of journalists, Siraj said, especially the working journalists of KP and FATA, who are performing their duties in a very unpleasant law-and-order situation. The KP government is receptive to suggestions about security measures, he said, adding the government will provide security guards if a journalist requests them. KP Information Minister Shah Farman echoed those sentiments. It is the governments responsibility to ensure the protection of not only the media men but also of every citizen of the province, Farman said. The provincial government advocates freedom of expression, especially for journalists, who play a crucial role not only in fighting terrorism but also in nourishing democracy, Shiraz Paracha, spokesman for the KP chief minister, said. The KP government condemns those who threaten the media and freedom of expression, Paracha said. The government will not tolerate a person or group violating the basic rights of media. centralasiaonline/en_GB/articles/caii/features/pakistan/main/2014/01/16/feature-01
Posted on: Fri, 17 Jan 2014 16:14:59 +0000
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