At least 72 journalists and media professionals have been attacked during 2022-2023—including two killings of journalists, 62 instances of assault, three instances of kidnappings or abductions, three instances of raids and two detentions, according to a report released by Pakistan Press Foundation on World Press Freedom Day.
The report, titled:”Restricted content, physical violence and loaded rhetoric: Political
polarisation and uncertainty impinges media safety in Pakistan”, notes growing violence against journalists amid growing political uncertainty.
“Journalists were threatened in at least 20 instances, in addition to which, the trolling, harassment and abuse of journalists online also continued. Journalists and media professionals were arrested in at least 16 instances, and cases were registered, legal notices were issued, or inquiries were initiated against journalists in at least 12
instances,” says the report.
It also laments the lack of safety measures for journalists during coverage of political rallies, demonstrations, and protests.
It says the death of Channel 5 reporter Sadaf Naeem while covering former prime minister Imran Khan’s rally in Punjab in October 2022 could have been avoided had media organisations, organisers, political parties, and local authorities had implemented effective safety measures.
The report laments that even after the incident, “vague and ambiguous” Code of Conduct for National Media and political parties was issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The report notes that another Pakistani journalist Ashad Sharif was killed in Kenya on October 23, 2022, and there is still no clarity on his murder.
