Pandemic and state pile pressure on Pakistani journalists
Newspaper editors label Covid-19 and state censorship as major threats to media workers
A new report by the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors has identified Covid-19 and state censorship as major threats to journalists.
According to the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors Media Freedom Report 2020 released on Jan. 31, nine journalists died battling the deadly pandemic last year while at least 10 were murdered.
“Journalists and cameramen increasingly became victims of the virus. Often they had to interview either the corona affected or people appointed for their treatment. They faced problems of adapting standard operating procedures in newsrooms and reportage of the virus. It depicts neglect and non-seriousness in taking necessary steps to protect media workers,” it states.
10 journalists killed, several arrested last year: CPNE southeastasiapost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from southeastasiapost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
KARACHI: At least 10 Pakistani journalists were murdered and several others threatened, kidnapped, tortured and arrested on trumped-up charges while discharging their professional responsibilities last year, said a report on media freedom in the country on Sunday.
While the Covid-19 pandemic posed a big challenge to media in Pakistan, where at least nine journalists died of the infection, journalists continued to face extreme pressures with regard to freedom of the press, and of speech, during the year.
According to the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors’ (CPNE) Media Freedom Report 2020, attempts to silence the press continued throughout the year.
It said that according to investigative reports on press freedom, journalists discharged their duties despite increasing restrictions from January to December last amid conspiracies to curtail freedom of expression.