Journalists slam attack on media offices
PESHAWAR, March 17: Journalists in large numbers took part in a demonstration on Saturday which was held to protest against an attack by policemen on a news organisation on Friday.
The demonstration was organised by the Khyber Union of Journalists to denounce what was termed ‘state-sponsored terrorism unleashed against the countryÂ’s print and electronic media’.
The journalists took out a procession from the Peshawar Press Club which marched up to the Governor’s House to register their protest against the high-handedness of the Punjab police against press freedom in the country. Representatives of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and the Khyber Union of Journalists led the procession.
Speaking to protesters in front of the Governor’s House, KhUJ President Jan Afzal condemned the police attack on offices of Geo TV channel and The News in Islamabad and termed it an unprecedented event.
He said it had been a pre-planned move to divert the attention of print and electronic media and the people from proceedings against the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, at the Supreme Court on Friday.
He said that all electronic gadgets, equipment and the building housing the newspaper and TV channel had been insured but journalists and other workers employed there had been exposed to deadly violence.
He said the journalists and TV crew worked in very hostile environment and had no safety of life and future.
He, however, pledged that the community would not give in to any sort of violence or pressure and would adhere to objective reporting of events.
KhUJ Secretary-General Nasir Hussain also spoke on the occasion and condemned the ghastly incident.
Peshawar Press Club President Mohammad Riaz criticised the federal government for unleashing terror on journalists who already worked under hostile conditions and performed their professional duty honestly despite heavy odds.
He said the government wanted the journalist community to remain silent on issues of national importance but pledged that the journalists would no more allow rulers to conceal the truth and gag the press. He said the journalists were part of a democratic struggle and they would not betray the people.
Geo TV’s Peshawar Bureau Chief Abdullah Jan informed protesters about the Islamabad incident. He said that after crippling the judiciary the rulers wanted to muzzle the press, which was no more acceptable to the people.
Senior journalist and Bureau Chief of daily Jang Iftikhar Ali also spoke on the occasion and condemned the police vandalism. NOWSHERA: Activists of the People’s Students Federation boycotted classes and staged a demonstration on the G.T. Road against the action taken against Chief Justice of Pakistan.
Vehicular traffic on the road remained suspended for hours because of the demonstration.
Later, students of the Government High School No.1 and No 2, also joined them. They chanted slogans in support of Justice Chaudhry and journalists attacked by the Punjab police on Friday.
Source: Dawn
Date:3/18/2007
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