ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has clarified a news report titled “Government unmoved as journalists face more threats,” published in The News on Monday.
A spokesman of the ministry, in a press release issued here on Monday, said the government believes in the freedom of press and expression. The government is committed to the freedom of the media and ensures that the media is not constrained by impediments from reporting on the government, its policies and government functionaries. The government welcomes the objective and healthy criticism from the media which is vital to the functioning of democracy, promotion of democratic norms, transparency and good governance.
It is understood that there are challenges and risks the journalists are exposed to while on duty. The top priority of the government is to provide an intimidation-free environment to the working journalists. When approached formally, the government always took adequate measures to ensure the safety and security of the concerned journalist. As the media is very important for the state, the security of journalists is the prime concern of the government, particularly in wake of unfortunate acts of terrorism. The government is working on devising institutional mechanism for the protection of journalists against violence and threats.
The spokesman further said it was the democratic government that for the first time in the history of Pakistan formed a high-level judicial commission for probing the killing of journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad headed by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court. The PFUJ president has been included in this commission as a member. The enquiry proceedings of the commission, on fast track basis, are in progress and action will be taken against the culprits in accordance with the finding of the judicial commission.
The Ministry of Information is ready to work with the journalist’s organisations to take steps that can provide safe environment to media persons. The minister for information is always available to meet with the PFUJ and media persons to discuss ways and means to deal with any instances of intimidations and threats, the statement said.
Umar Cheema adds: Claiming that the PPP government formed the judicial commission for the first time to probe Saleem Shehzad murder, is nothing but making a mockery of journalist community that staged sit-in for the whole night and moved the apex court for its formation.
The media is least concerned about what government believes; important are its actions. If the history is any guide, the government has failed to do anything for the protection of journalists.
What is stopping the government to investigate Wali Babar’s murder case? Why has the judicial commission report of Hayatullah Khan’s murder been thrown under the carpet. The judicial commission report of my torture case hasn’t seen different fate either. Why?
Intriguingly, the clarification has also not responded as to what action has been taken to tackle with the threats being faced by Najam Sethi, Hamid Mir, Ghulamuddin Ahmad, Atif Khan, Jamal Tarakai and others. We haven’t seen any follow-up from government side to ascertain the elements hurling threats to Mohammad Malick, The News’ resident editor.
The government has shown non-seriousness towards the threatening emails received by Ansar Abbasi, The News editor investigation, who forwarded the record to Cyber Crime Wing of FIA for locating the senders but in vain. The fact that Pakistan has been keeping unenviable title of ‘the most dangerous country’ for practicing journalists for second consecutive year is a damning indictment of the PPP government. The News stands by its story.
Source: The News
