PFUJ walk on Press Freedom today | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

PFUJ walk on Press Freedom today

LAHORE (May 03 2007): Journalists through out the world will observe May 3 as World Press Freedom Day. Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has organised a token walk to start from Parliament Lodges.

Besides office bearers of PFUJ, members of Rawalpindi Union of Journalists and members of various civil society organisations will participate in the walk to express their solidarity with the journalists’ fraternity.

The walk would be led by the President PFUJ, Huma Ali, who has issued a detailed report on this occasion highlighting the names and circumstances of all those journalists who have laid down their lives, attacked or harassed while performing their professional duties.

In this regard PFUJ has asked the government to remove the anomalies in the access to Information Act, clear the doubts about the formation of Press and Publications Regulatory Authority (PAPRA) and ensure the implementation of Seventh Wage Board Award immediately.

PFUJ asks the government to ensure the wage increase for journalists besides ensuring the implementation of the minimum job conditions and wages set out by the Seventh Wage Board decision pending since October 8, 2001. Wages are still not being paid, and the government has done nothing to improve the economic conditions of journalists.

PFUJ has also expressed its concern on certain newspaper reports suggesting the formation of a new Press and Publication Regulatory Authority (PAPRA). This apex body asks the government to clarify its position because the reports leaked to the press so far suggest that PAPRA would likely mirror the infamous black law, the Press and Publications Ordinance dating from the 1960s, which stifles the freedom of expression.

PFUJ has also asked the government to take this opportunity to ensure that Access to Information Act is modified as per article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This apex body has expressed its full commitment to the principles of the historic Windhoek Declaration adopted by United Nations in Nairobi in 1993 to commemorate the struggle of African journalists and end of the cold war.

Punjab union of journalist will hold a camp before Assembly Hall by taking out procession against the government policies and restriction on journalists. While talking to Business Recorder, Assistant Secretary General PFUJ Hamid Nawaz said journalists were working hard for the promotion and freedom of press in Pakistan.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:5/3/2007