Insurance, training for reporters urged
ISLAMABAD, May 2: None of the Pakistani journalists killed during the past year in the line of duty had been trained in reporting in dangerous environments, says the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in a report released on the eve of the International Press Freedom Day.
It said reporters and photo-journalists needed special training and insurance for working in hostile environments and conflict zones.
It said violence and curbs on the media remained the hallmark of 2007. Balochistan, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Karachi remained ‘dangerous’ places for reporting and journalists feared attacks from both government agencies and non-state actors.
According to a report released by the Islamabad-based Intermedia, 15 journalists were killed in the country during the year and 700 others faced violence.
During the year, 357 journalists were arrested, 123 injured in attacks and 154 others were threatened or harassed.
It said the number of journalists killed last year was the highest for any year in the country’s history.
It recorded 18 cases of attacks on or ransacking of media property and 88 of various gag orders issued by the government.
On an average, more than one distinct case of intimidation against the media occurred every day. There was not a single day during the past year when the media was not under attack in Pakistan, it said.
Source: Dawn
Date:5/3/2008
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