MINGORA: The local journalists have criticised the administration of tehsil headquarters hospital Barikot for not allowing media persons to enter the health facility.

The journalists from different parts of the district under the umbrella of Swat Electronic Association gathered outside the office of deputy commissioner here on Monday to record their protest against the hospital administration.

They said that early on Sunday, a man was shot dead and two others sustained injuries in a clash between two groups. The injured were shifted to Barikot hospital where reporters went to cover the incident. However, the hospital administration did not allow them to enter the hospital.

“When we learnt about the incident, we rushed to the hospital but the staff did not let us enter the hospital, saying reporters were not allowed in the hospital,” said Tajdar Alam, a local journalist. He added that the hospital administration locked him in a room and harassed him.

He said that the medical superintending threatened him of serious consequences in case he recorded video footage inside the hospital. The journalists said that it was their duty to visit public places including hospitals to highlight issues and inform people about the situation.

The protesting journalists later on met with Deputy Commissioner Saqib Raza Aslam and conveyed their concerns to him. The deputy commissioner formed a committee to probe the matter.

On the occasion, leader of opposition in district council was also present. He said that it was the duty of journalists to highlight the issues of people. “Public servants have no right to restrict media persons from entering public places.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2019