Karachi: Journalists in Karachi like other parts of the country lack proper security cover and training to work in conditions that frequently threaten their safety.
One of the most glaring examples, of the perils of reporting and photojournalism was the death of Mohammed Arif Khan, chief cameraman from a local news channel. Khan died during the bomb blast which occurred at the late Peoples Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto’s welcome rally, on October 18 near the Karsaz.
In the case of Arif Khan, the news channel’s administration fully supported the needs of Khan’s bereaved family. However, there is no institutionalised set up which insures media personnel and their families.
Analysts are of the view that the support offered by Arif Khan’s employer is an exception because, Khan belonged to a major media organisation which can sustain such extravagant benevolence. However, similar support is out of the question when it comes to small and medium sized organisations.
In this particular instance, the government has also done their share. On October 18 this year a function was held at Karachi Press Club to commemorate the services of Arif Khan on his first death anniversary. On the occasion the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, announced that a house will be constructed for Khan’s family and his sons will be given jobs in the government sector.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri has handed over a cheque of Rs0.3 million to Khan’s widow in order to show support for the bereaved family.
Faisal Aziz Khan, General-Secretary, Association of Television Journalists Pakistan, added that only two major media organisations operating TV channels in the country provide due insurance coverage for their journalists.
“Since most medium sized organisations do not even train their reporters, our organisation organises several workshops to train media personnel on how to handle dangerous situations.”
Most TV channels which have mushroomed recently, lack the resources to provide security cover, training and insurance to their journalists.
Prof. Tauseef Ahmad Khan, chairman of Mass Communication Department of Federal Urdu University, said the terrorists, ethnic and religious pressure groups, and secret agencies often pose serious challenges for newsmen working in Karachi.
He said the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors, have highlighted issues threatening the lives of journalists.
Media organisations, he added, generally don’t meet the international criteria and standards of security cover for journalists working in hostile conditions.
“The very incident of Arif’s death, corroborates the fact that media personnel are not fully trained as far as hostile conditions are concerned,” said SM Shakeel, senior journalist associated with a local news channel and close associate of the slain cameraman.
“I was also in the October 18 rally with Khan and when the first blast occurred he rushed to the spot to closely record footage of the scene of the blast endangering his own life as a result he was caught by the second massive blast,” said Shakeel.
Source: The News
Date:11/21/2008
