PESHAWAR: Speakers at a seminar have expressed concern over the threats to media persons and urged the government to ensure protection to journalists and ensure freedom of expression in the country.

The seminar was organised by Potohar Organisation for Development Advocacy (PODA) at Peshawar Press Club the other day. The purpose of the event was to highlight the importance of people’s right to freedom of expression and raise awareness of the European Union Guidelines on the issue.

Mohammad Zubair, PODA programme manager, said that a free and independent media was indispensable for implementation of good governance and human rights.

“The federal government must secure freedom of expression and provide security to journalists and human rights defenders as its constitutional responsibility,” he said.

Representatives of civil society organisations, journalists, lawyers, government officials and others participated in the event.

Local journalist Ms Farzana Ali said that freedom of expression was a tool to keep public informed and hold the government accountable. She said that freedom of expression was not possible until journalists were well protected and able to work independently. She said that the government should ensure safety of journalists.

Khyber Union of Journalists president Nisar Mehmood said that Pakistan had been identified as one of the most dangerous places for journalists in the world. He said that a clear policy and related implementation mechanism was needed for the protection of journalists and human rights defenders. He said that the government should make legislation for ensuring freedom of expression. He also talked about the low wages and unsuitable working conditions for the media workers.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2015

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