PESHAWAR: Karachi is becoming a dangerous city for journalists, said a Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) statement issued on Thursday.

The statement came in the wake of a series of incidents of violence against journalists in the city during the last month.

Three journalists, including a female cameraperson from Geo TV, were injured in Wednesday’s Karachi riots, while rioters snatched four cameras from cameramen. The vehicles of at least two reporters were set on fire while they were covering violence in the city.

“It seems that there is no end to violence against journalists,” the statement said, adding, however, that the PFUJ welcomed the reassurance given by Federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman in the National Assembly. The PFUJ also advised journalists and crews of various television channels to be more cautious while covering violence and to ensure their own safety.

The statement said that last month unidentified armed men had kidnapped two journalists when they were covering the protest demonstrations by rival factions of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). The PFUJ appealed to the owners of TV channels and newspapers to take measures for the safety of their employees, by organising safety training courses for them and providing them with life insurance.
Source: Daily Times
Date:4/11/2008