NTERNATIONAL media watchdog organizations are correct in asking the Pakistan government to investigate the death of a TV cameraman, Munir Sangi, who was shot dead on Monday while covering clashes in Larkana. There are some who suspect that Mr. Sangi may have been targeted for his TV channel’s reporting on a Jirga’s decision. While it is difficult to ascertain the validity of this claim, given that journalists continue to be harassed and intimidated for reporting on contentious issues, the claim cannot be easily dismissed.

It is the country’s chequered record of press freedom that must have prompted organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists to express their concern and demand an investigation into Mr. Sangi’s death – a call that is also supported by local groups. Since his death, there have been province-wide protests in which people demanded that Mr. Sangi’s killers be arrested and punished. Although four men have so far been apprehended, a judicial probe is needed to ascertain the truth without any interference from any quarter.

Despite the boom in the TV media and the relative press freedom in the country, journalists often work under dangerous circumstances. The French organization, Reporters Sans Frontier, in its annual report cited 2005 as the deadliest year for journalists around the world since 1995 so the problem of threats and intimidation is not just limited to Pakistani media professionals. The kidnapping and non-recovery of journalist Hayatullah Khan in December from Waziristan is just one example of the dangers those in the press have to contend with.

If Mr. Sangi’s death is not properly investigated there is a risk that many journalists will be intimidated into practicing a degree of self-censorship while reporting on controversial issues. This would be a negation of honesty and objectivity which are the guiding principles of reporting.
Source: Dawn
Date:6/2/2006