Journalist Says Investigative Reporting Is a Risky Business in Pakistan
Late last year, investigative journalist Ahmad Noorani published an article looking at the tax records and assets of a former Pakistan army chief.
The journalist said he uncovered alleged corruption and thought that authorities would investigate the apparent wrongdoings. But, he told VOA, “instead, they are investigating me.”
One month after his report, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency filed a First Information Report — the first step in bringing legal charges — against Noorani, saying that the tax documents he reviewed in his coverage were illegally obtained.
The Pakistan army’s Public Relations Department has denied the claims in Noorani’s report. And a statement that the minister of information and broadcasting shared with VOA said that “journalists are not exempt from legal obligations related to data protection and privacy.”
Noorani acknowledged that accessing tax records is not permitted but said that if someone leaks information to the media that is verified and of interest to the public, then a journalist should be free to use it.
“In Pakistan, military and intelligence officials enjoy unbridled power,” said Noorani, who is based in the U.S. He added, “This situation makes reporting on corruption a very risky assignment.”
Source: Voice of America
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