7 journalists killed, 87 hurt in 150 attacks on media
ISLAMABAD- Seven journalists have been killed and 87 injured in over 150 attacks on media in the country over the past 12 months, reveals an annual report chronicling the violations against national media.
According to the report, released here on Sunday by Inter-media, a Pakistani media development organization focused on policy, advocacy, training and research on media issues, to mark the International Press Freedom Day on May 3, seven journalists were killed in the country between May 3, 2009 to May 3, 2010, including two journalists from Balochistan, one each from federal capital, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and an Afghan journalist in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
The journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty included TV reporter Azmat Ali Bangash (killed on April 18 this year in a suicide attack in a Kohat bazar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa); TV cameraman Malik Arif (killed on April 17 in a suicide attack in a hospital in Quetta, Balochistan); local newspaper reporter Hameed Marwat (killed on February 17 in target shooting in Quetta); TV reporter Ashfaq Mangi (killed on February 17 by unknown gunmen in target attack in Khairpur, Sindh); senior journalist Raza Ali (tortured and killed on September 14, 2009 in federal capital at his home by unidentified intruders); Afghan journalist Janullah Hashimzada (killed in an attack on August 4, 2009 by unidentified gunmen in Khyber Agency, FATA) and newspaper reporter Muhammad Akram (killed by unidentified gunmen on June 6, 2009 in Faisalabad, Punjab).
In the period under review, 87 journalists were assaulted and injured, including 53 in Punjab, 12 in Islamabad, 11 in Sindh, five in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, three in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, two in Balochistan and one in FATA.
At least 13 journalists were reported missing, abducted or arrested in the same period, including three each in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA, two each in Islamabad, Punjab and Sindh and one in Balochistan.
The report also documented at least 17 cases of intimidation and threats to journalists or media organizations, including nine in Punjab, four in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, three in federal capital and one in Sindh.
Executive Director Inter-media Adnan Rehmat while talking to APP expressed his dismay on the serge in attacks on journalists and media organizations. He said Inter-media Pakistan supports freedom of expression and access to information.
Source: The Nation
Date:5/3/2010
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