THE resort to violence by a law enforcer against a journalist outside a Nadra office in Karachi is indeed condemnable, and a stern warning is in order. The footage of the incident is appalling — and has been played over and over again by the channels; it must be a source of shame for all those who have power and authority but do not guard against their misuse. According to many observers, the offence is all the more deplorable since the recipient of the security man’s wrath was a woman. Indeed, there are no easy answers to the question raised: would the security man have acted in a different manner had the ‘provocateur’ been a man able to match his angry action? No new evidence is needed to confirm just how vulnerable Pakistani women are to verbal and physical attacks, but maybe the issue here relates more to journalism than to their protection and rights. This was certainly a case of an overly assertive woman who wanted information for the people at large; the journalist’s own approach to telling the story must also be examined.
Among the many points the incident has raised is an old one about respect for the uniform. And, also, to what extent should a journalist be allowed to go in his or her search for a story. The unfortunate incident, which has now been viewed by the whole country and by people living beyond, must now act as a catalyst for the rule books. There are surely some guidelines to be set for those who represent the government. All officials, beginning with those who are involved in public dealing, must be sensitised to their roles in accordance with changing public demands which are often reflected in the additional effort put in by restless journalists. Likewise, there has to be some kind of a realisation on the part of journalists about the need to keep their operations free of violence and unnecessary confrontation.
Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2016