KARACHI: On account of International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, a Karachi-based non-profit organisation hosted a panel discussion to question the targeted attacks (physical and online) on journalists at a local hotel here on Wednesday.

Founder and president of NGO Global Neighbourhood for Media Innovation (GNMI) Najia Ashar started with bringing into the discussion the late journalist Arshad Sharif, whose recent killing shook Pakistan’s journalist community. She stated that the most unfortunate thing about our society is that every murdered journalist is reduced to just another number that continues increasing.

“The criminal justice system, which is supposed to provide justice, remains helpless. Because of this, journalism is in danger. When the foundations of journalism are attacked, journalists will also fall victim. And this is where enemies try to take advantage,” she said.

Senior journalist Amber Rahim Shamsi, director of Centre for Excellence in Journalism at IBA, said that lack of equal distribution of resources became a reason for journalists compromising their safety. She quoted the recent tragic death of journalist Sadaf Naeem, who died while covering a PTI rally.

“Media organisations should not send their reporters, especially female reporters, into the field without providing them sufficient resources,” she said.

Faysal Aziz Khan, president of Bol News Network, said that training was an essential part of journalism, especially training on how to ensure safety and security in high-risk areas.

Remembering the attacks on Hamid Mir, he stated that the biggest reason why the journalist was still alive was because of the training he had been provided.

Syed Masood Raza, senior anchor for Dunya News shared some anecdotes of being kidnapped in Balochistan and the time when his helicopter crashed. “We are used to blaming the government for lack of safety, but organisations should also be held accountable to provide protection to journalists. In the face of any issue, a journalist should be confident about the support that his or her organisation is meant to provide,” he added.

Mazhar Abbas, senior analyst at Geo News, was of the view that not only should journalists comply with safety and security measures, but their organisations are also responsible for the same.

“A journalist does not remain a journalist after losing their life in the line of duty. If a journalist dies while reporting, his or her news also dies. Why don’t their organisation or their colleagues follow up on that news? Why does the death go in vain? I also ask journalists not to leave their country. Fight the fight, don’t run away from the battlefield,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2022