Blog 103
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PFUJ demands high powered commission to probe the deat
PFUJ demands high powered commission to probe the death of media person in the Quetta Blast
ISLAMABAD, Sept 6: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic death of Ejaz Raisani, SAMAA TV cameraman, who succumbed to his injuries suffered during Al-Quds rally blast in Quetta on Friday.
The PFUJ blamed the TV management for his death.
“Ejaz passed away on Monday morning due to fatal injuries. He was among the eight media persons, some of whom were injured by the blast while others were hit by indiscriminate firing by elements belonging to a banned religious outfit.
Ejaz was shifted to CMH Quetta for treatment but he did not recover.
The PFUJ pointed out that Ejaz, 31, was under tremendous pressure from seniors and management to cover the event without any security arrangements or protective gadgets.
Ejaz Raisani was a hard worker, but he too was underpaid.He left behind a widow and two children (Faiza, 5, and Muzaffar, 3).
Those who worked closely with Ejaz will confirm his commitment to profession. According to his colleagues, he was one of the most talented professionals. The best thing about him was his willingness to overcome his weaknesses and learn new techniques.
Ejaz was a perfectionist who would get upset if quality of his work was not up to standard. He was very much displeased with his previous employer. He used to complain about his previous employer, ARY One World, for paying him a meagre salary.
He was also a regular contributor to Baluchistan's first online paper “Baloch Hal.”
The PFUJ said the tragic killing of Ejaz is a grim reminder of the hardships under which journalists in Balochistan have to work. The threat facing safety of media persons is multi-pronged.
The PFUJ said that the conflicts in Pakistan have taken a very alarming turn. The forces involved in armed conflicts have no respect and regard for humanity, Media of course being more exposed is more vulnerable.
The PFUJ believed that one of the reasons for attacking the media persons in Friday’s blast was the presumption of the attackers that media persons were collecting evidence against them by shooting live events which subsequently would be used against them.
In a fit of frenzy, they shot at all media persons engaged in covering the procession, eye witnesses observed.
Only the bereaved can know what it means to lose the head of a family, and that too a week before Eid.
All that can now be done is that the bereaved family should be taken care of, the PFUJ added.
The PFUJ demanded of the government to appoint a high level fact finding Commission to investigate the causes leading to the death of Aaj TV Driver, Mohammad Sarwar, and Star Cameraman of Samaa TV Ejaj and wounding of Amin Mengal (Cameraman ARY TV), Imran Mukhtar (Cameraman Geo TV), Fateh Shakir (Cameraman Dawn TV), Hakim (Cameraman Aaj TV), Shahid (Cameraman Samaa TV), Mustafa Tareen (Bureau Chief ARY), Irshad Mastoi (Reporter Express TV), and Noor Elahi Bugti (Acting Bureau Chief Samaa TV), all of whom were engaged in their hazardous profession.
The terms of reference of the Commission should include under what circumstances after suicidal blast media team was fired upon; whether the media persons assigned for covering the event were trained by their respective media outlets; whether they were provided protective gadgets and jackets for covering the event in the eventuality of bomb blast, firing, riots, mob attacks, etc, what type of protective cover was provided to media personnel before asking them to cover the live event; Was there any SOP for protection of media persons for live coverage in the conflict areas; did the media outlets committed a deliberate and criminal negligence by failing to evolve an SOP and providing adequate protection and training to their reporting teams for live coverage in dangerous zones which led to the death of two media related employees and wounding of 7 persons, if so what action is warranted against them.
The PFUJ asked the Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan to take suo moto notice of the gruesome incident which took precious lives of two media related persons and injuries to 7 others which prima facie constitutes criminal negligence by the Media Owners.
The PFUJ said it was appreciable that the Chief Justice of SC had been kind enough to take prompt suo moto notice on requests on various counts, including media owners' plea for freedom of press, but when two precisous lives have been lost, we request for such a judicial probe.
As per Constitution and Islamic jurisprudence everyone has equal rights and is equal before law and the Supreme Court is under Oath to protect the Constitution.
Therefore, the demand of the PFUJ deserves due consideration on merit to take notice of lapses on thepart of media outlets which resulted in the death of the two media persons and injuries to 7 other in Quetta firing-cum-blast incident.
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.pfuj.pk
http://www.facebook.com/shamsul.naz
http://shamsulisalmnaz.blogspot.com/?spref=gb -
PFUJ demands high level commission to probe the death of med
PFUJ demands high level commission to probe the death of media person in the Quetta Blast
ISLAMABAD, Sept 6: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic death of Ejaz Raisani, SAMAA TV cameraman, who succumbed to his injuries suffered during Al-Quds rally blast in Quetta on Friday.
The PFUJ blamed the TV management for his death.
“Ejaz passed away on Monday morning due to fatal injuries. He was among the eight media persons, some of whom were injured by the blast while others were hit by indiscriminate firing by elements belonging to a banned religious outfit.
Ejaz was shifted to CMH Quetta for treatment but he did not recover.
The PFUJ pointed out that Ejaz, 31, was under tremendous pressure from seniors and management to cover the event without any security arrangements or protective gadgets.
Ejaz Raisani was a hard worker, but he too was underpaid.He left behind a widow and two children (Faiza, 5, and Muzaffar, 3).
Those who worked closely with Ejaz will confirm his commitment to profession. According to his colleagues, he was one of the most talented professionals. The best thing about him was his willingness to overcome his weaknesses and learn new techniques.
Ejaz was a perfectionist who would get upset if quality of his work was not up to standard. He was very much displeased with his previous employer. He used to complain about his previous employer, ARY One World, for paying him a meagre salary.
He was also a regular contributor to Baluchistan's first online paper “Baloch Hal.”
The PFUJ said the tragic killing of Ejaz is a grim reminder of the hardships under which journalists in Balochistan have to work. The threat facing safety of media persons is multi-pronged.
The PFUJ said that the conflicts in Pakistan have taken a very alarming turn. The forces involved in armed conflicts have no respect and regard for humanity, Media of course being more exposed is more vulnerable.
The PFUJ believed that one of the reasons for attacking the media persons in Friday’s blast was the presumption of the attackers that media persons were collecting evidence against them by shooting live events which subsequently would be used against them.
In a fit of frenzy, they shot at all media persons engaged in covering the procession, eye witnesses observed.
Only the bereaved can know what it means to lose the head of a family, and that too a week before Eid.
All that can now be done is that the bereaved family should be taken care of, the PFUJ added.
The PFUJ demanded of the government to appoint a high level fact finding Commission to investigate the causes leading to the death of Aaj TV Driver, Mohammad Sarwar, and Star Cameraman of Samaa TV Ejaj and wounding of Amin Mengal (Cameraman ARY TV), Imran Mukhtar (Cameraman Geo TV), Fateh Shakir (Cameraman Dawn TV), Hakim (Cameraman Aaj TV), Shahid (Cameraman Samaa TV), Mustafa Tareen (Bureau Chief ARY), Irshad Mastoi (Reporter Express TV), and Noor Elahi Bugti (Acting Bureau Chief Samaa TV), all of whom were engaged in their hazardous profession.
The terms of reference of the Commission should include under what circumstances after suicidal blast media team was fired upon; whether the media persons assigned for covering the event were trained by their respective media outlets; whether they were provided protective gadgets and jackets for covering the event in the eventuality of bomb blast, firing, riots, mob attacks, etc, what type of protective cover was provided to media personnel before asking them to cover the live event; Was there any SOP for protection of media persons for live coverage in the conflict areas; did the media outlets committed a deliberate and criminal negligence by failing to evolve an SOP and providing adequate protection and training to their reporting teams for live coverage in dangerous zones which led to the death of two media related employees and wounding of 7 persons, if so what action is warranted against them.
The PFUJ asked the Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan to take suo moto notice of the gruesome incident which took precious lives of two media related persons and injuries to 7 others which prima facie constitutes criminal negligence by the Media Owners.
The PFUJ said it was appreciable that the Chief Justice of SC had been kind enough to take prompt suo moto notice on requests on various counts, including media owners' plea for freedom of press, but when two precisous lives have been lost, we request for such a judicial probe.
As per Constitution and Islamic jurisprudence everyone has equal rights and is equal before law and the Supreme Court is under Oath to protect the Constitution.
Therefore, the demand of the PFUJ deserves due consideration on merit to take notice of lapses on thepart of media outlets which resulted in the death of the two media persons and injuries to 7 other in Quetta firing-cum-blast incident.
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk
http://www.facebook.com/shamsul.naz
http://shamsulisalmnaz.blogspot.com/?spref=gb -
Media Staff Among Balochistan Blast Victims
Media Release: Pakistan
September 6, 2010
Media Staff Among Balochistan Blast Victims
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is concerned for the safety of media personnel in Pakistan in the wake of a devastating suicide blast in Quetta on September 3, in which one media worker was killed and at least eight others were injured.
IFJ affiliate the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) reports that Mohammad Sarwar, a driver for Pakistan’s Aaj TV, died in the Civil Hospital in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, from gunshot injuries.
It remains unclear whether his injuries were sustained in skirmishes that broke out after the blast, or if he was targeted in a separate attack.
At least 65 people died in the blast and the ensuing shootings, with more than 160 others injured, according to local media reports.
Sarwar was on assignment at the Al-Quds day rally, an international protest in support of Palestine sovereignty, in the Meezan Chowk marketplace in central Quetta when the blast occurred.
The eight journalists injured in the attack were also taken to hospital for treatment, and are now reported to be in a stable condition.
A group connected to the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast, which targeted Shiite Muslims, a minority in the country.
“Unfortunately, this attack proves that the dangers for journalists and media personnel working in Balochistan province show no sign of improving,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.
“The IFJ joins the PFUJ in calling on Pakistan’s authorities and media organisations to take every reasonable precaution to protect their staff, especially in volatile situations such as in Quetta.”
Local authorities had warned rally organisers, the Imamia Students Organisation, to stick to a planned route due to concerns over sectarian violence, after another Shiite rally was attacked in Lahore, in eastern Pakistan, on September 1.
The PFUJ has drawn attention to the fact that media staff are rarely trained or equipped to work in potentially lethal environments.
In a separate incident, investigative reporter Umer Cheema, of The News, was abducted and intimidated by men in police uniforms in Islamabad on September 4, according to the PFUJ.
Cheema was held captive for more than six hours by the group, who urged him to stop writing articles critical of the Government and accused him of encouraging martial law.
Pakistani authorities, including Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, have assured Cheema and the PFUJ that the Government played no part in his abduction, and that a full investigation would be conducted to find the culprits.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 125 countries
Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk
http://www.facebook.com/shamsul.naz
http://shamsulisalmnaz.blogspot.com/?spref=gb -
MESSAGE FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN JOURNALISTS FOR PFU
MESSAGE FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN JOURNALISTS FOR PFUJ 2010 "YEAR OF JOURNALISTS"
TO: MR SHAMSUL ISLAM NAZ - Sec-General, PFUJ
MESSAGE FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN JOURNALISTS FOR PFUJ 2010 "YEAR OF JOURNALISTS"
(The AEJ is an independent association of journalists active in more than twenty European countries, and an Observer member of the Council of Europe's standard-setting committee on media issues.)
The Association of European Journalists express our strong and principled support for the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists in your continuing and vital struggle for freedom of expression in the media, especially the right of journalists to investigate, report and question matters of public interest without the threat or use of violence or other forms of harassment by government agents or others. The exercise of that freedom is essential in every country, for democratic life and to counter serious misuses of power as well as corruption of all kinds. In many countries of the world, government actions and laws directed against the threat of terrorism have been wrongly used in recent years as a pretext to restrict free speech, especially the work of journalists. As a result, media freedom and independence needs to be defended even more vigorously, with the active support of all who value free speech.
The Council of Europe, which seeks to uphold universal principles of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, values freedom of expression and freedom of information as essential pillars of free societies everywhere. The AEJ is a media partner of the Council of Europe in the international campaign for legitimate freedom and independence of the media. We insist that governments must acknowledge their obligation to ensure the safety and protection of journalists in zones of conflict or lawlessness, and bring to justice and punish those responsible for all assaults against journalists or abuses of the criminal law directed against them on account of their work. Unfortunately, the murders of at least twenty journalists in Europe in the past three years and the prosecution or jailing of many others is evidence of a serious decline in the overall level of media freedom in many parts of Europe
The AEJ hails the courageous and determined efforts of the PFUJ to practise independent and inquring journalism in the public interest in Pakistan. We wish you every success in achieving those vital goals.
William Horsley,
Media Freedom Representative, Association of European Journalists
Peter Kramer, Secretary-General, Association of European Journalists (AEJ) www.aej.org -
Concentration of Media Ownership Is threatening the purpose
Concentration of Media Ownership Is threatening the purpose of free press
In his essay on civil disobedience, Henry David Thoreau once said, “The rich man is always sold to the institution which makes him rich,”. The Mass Media, the collection of newspapers, magazines, and TV news programs that reach a mass audience, is usually owned and controlled by media corporations. Today, media corporations are such institutions that make people rich.
If I’m not mistaken I think no more than five major media groups control the majority of the mainstream media in Pakistan. They enjoy monopoly over information, as there is no ban on cross-ownership of television and newspapers, so you know only what they want you to know. Today, the media power is too often used to promote reporting violence, anger[against civilian elected government]and sensationalism. Corporate manipulation, greed, and irresponsible misconduct, media monopoly and cartelization, the mark of elite ownership and control over information, these trends and contours are extremely detrimental to our democracy and freedoms.
At the same time, vertical integration gives the big players even more avenues to cross-sell and cross-market their products for even more amazing profits. An effect of this though is a reduction in diversity and depth of content that the public can get, while increasing the political and economic power of corporations and advertisers. An informed population is crucial element to a functioning democracy.
The media tycoons always seen active demanding concessions in various taxes, duties, acquiring precious land, soft loans, increase in advertisements rates, enhancement in prices of newspapers, reduction in pages, size of newspapers taking a numbers advantages from private, public sector and the government in power. Forces such as competition for viewership with television and public (stock market) ownership of media companies have made many newspaper executives advocate market-driven reporting.
Pakistan’s media elites invest hugely in the material development of their networks but no such generosity is evident in providing a comfortable working environment to their employees i.e salaries of newspaper employees, including journalists were earlier fixed in July 1996 under the 6th Wage Award and since then no increase had been made for them although 7th wage award was announced and was supposed to be operative from July 1, 2000.
There should be ’press freedom’ not only for the owners of media houses, but also for their workers. It is unfortunate that a large number of journalists were being expelled from different media organisations without any warning and incentives. Concerned citizens observed that the unity that used to be seen amongst Pakistani journalists during the 1980s and 1990s was missing now. The salaries of journalists in rural areas are very low and in some cases journalists are not only deprived of salary but are not even given telephone, fax and transportation charges. It is also regrettable that no Pakistani TV channel covered the protests of journalists who were expelled from big media organisations.
The PFUJ pointed out that from 1996-97 to-date salaries of law-enforcement agencies personnel, armed forces, government employees, private sector have gone up by at least 400 to 500 per cent.
But still the media owners were not ready to make payment of salaries as per price-hike and journalists were working on the salary structure fixed in 1996 under the 6th Wage Award. The PFUJ asserted that these hard facts clearly indicate that media persons were being exploited by media owners who consider that perhaps media persons do not need to take meals for themselves and their kids.
Is it possible for a media person live without clothes, bread, shelter, medical facilities and education for their kids, and can they perform their professional assignments without job protection, life insurance, life security, etc., it questioned.
The PFUJ pointed out that from 1996-97 to-date salaries of law-enforcement agencies personnel, armed forces, government employees, private sector have gone up by at least 400 to 500 per cent. But still the media owners were not ready to make payment of salaries as per price-hike and journalists were working on the salary structure fixed in 1996 under the 6th Wage Award. The PFUJ asserted that these hard facts clearly indicate that media persons were being exploited by media owners who consider that perhaps media persons do not need to take meals for themselves and their kids. Is it possible for a media person live without clothes, bread, shelter, medical facilities and education for their kids, and can they perform their professional assignments without job protection, life insurance, life security, etc., it questioned.
According to the PFUJ, these facts expose the true face of media owners from their conduct.
These are permanent features and agenda of the media industry and media tycoon were building their empires on the blood of working journalists, and for extortion of money they use all means without caring for any law, rules and regulations and they never abide by their legal obligations for providing economic rights and protection to their workers who are being forced to work under most hostile and torture ridden environments.
The media persons are also forced to work under low wages, on contract basis, without job security, job descriptions, and overwhelming persons are forced to work even without single penny in mofssals areas rather they were forced to pay handsome money for acquiring “correspondent-ship” from their channels and newspapers, which in return is playing havoc in society, yet genuine media persons and professionals are undermined before society.
It is very shameful and condemnable in this age of civilization, media persons are forced to work in a terrible environment and keeping away from all of their basic and fundamental rights and fair wages..
PFUJ to besieges houses of media owners houses
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has warned that if the salary and other lawful financial dues were not paid by the media owners before the Eid, the PFUJ would be constrained to issue call for besieging the houses of the Media Owners and this protects will be continued till the payment of the outstanding dues.
Expressing concern over callousness of the media owners, the PFUJ pointed out that the salaries of media related employees were not paid in the TV Channels – ARY, Royal, News-One, Vibz, Din, Waqt, Channel-5, Wash, Dharti, Rohi, Punjab, Din, Waqt, Star Asia, City-42, DMD Digital, FM-103, Daily Din, Pakistan, Jinnah, Khabrain, The Post, Mukadama, Ausaf, Jinnah, Daily Aaj Kal, Daily Times, Daily Leader, Daily Khabrain, Daily Din, Daily Pakistan, Daily Leader, Daily Kainat, Daily Baluchistan Times, Daily Tamir-e-Sindh, Daily Nousjj, Karachi, Daily Such, Karachi, Daily Nawai Sindh, Daily Dafah Karachi, Daily Larkana Times, Daily Dawate Amal, Daily Muslim Peshawar, Daily Taraqi Quetta, Daily Sadai Potohar, Daily Janbaz, Daily Sadia Pakistan Bahawlpur, without any rhyme or reason.
“Most of the electronic media and newspapers owners are so cruel that they have not paid salaries to their workers for 4 to 6 months together, not to speak of advance salary payment on the eve of Eid, the PFUJ added.
The PFUJ said once again true face of media owners had been exposed. Though they claim to be the champions of rule of law, independence of judiciary, protectors of human rights, fundamental rights, civil liberties, rights of people, etc, however, they were adamant to make payment of lawful dues and salaries to their workers. If media workers ask for due salaries they are threatened of being removed from service.
Quoting miserable conditions at the Khabrain, Royal, Star Asia, Punjab T.V. the PFUJ contended that their workers had not been paid salaries for the months of Jan. 2010 till todate.
The PFUJ pointed out that in Rohi TV, Sama TV, ARY, News-one Royal T.V. Business Plus T.V. Punjab T.V. City-42, Star Asia TV, Daily Aaj Kal, Daily “Times, Daily Post, Daily Jinnah, Daily “Business Today”, Daily “Ausaf”, sacked more than 510 employees during the last 120 days against all norms of justice, law and equity on the pretext of “financial crunch.”
The massive lay-off of media persons from the electronic media in the past eight months is also deplorable as over 680 media persons have been removed from their jobs without assigning any reason and justification under the garb of artificial “recession.”
All those media owners, who have not being paying wages and other fringe benefits to their workers for months together and who had ordered massive dismissal of media persons, claim themselves to be the protectors of the rights of people. But there is none in the country to bring them to justice,” the PFUJ regretted.
The PFUJ warned if such one-sided and cruel actions of media owners continued unchecked, media workers would be left with no option, but to resort to direct action, including besieging their houses and the PFUJ would expose them before the people here and abroad in all forums.
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1Islamabad, PakistanPhone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com/
http://www.pfuj.pk/
Post Published: 28 August 2010
Author: Junaid Qaiser
Found in section: Headline, Original Articles -
Newsman's abduction, torture a threat to media: PFUJ
Newsman's abduction, torture a threat to media: PFUJ
ISLAMABAD, Sept 4: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the abduction, torture and humiliation of The News investigative reporter Umer Cheema by unidentified persons who detained the reporter for over six hours in the federal capital on Saturday.
"It is a serious issue and threat to media persons, and the government should take all possible measures to arrest the culprits, and security of media persons be ensured in future,” the PFUJ asked.
Giving account of events of abduction and torture following his release, Umer Cheema revealed that he was picked up by some unknown men in police uniforms from Islamabad Sector I-8 when he was returning home early in the morning at Sehri time and taken to an unknown place at 45 to 50 minutes drive.
He said he was heading towards home in his car after meeting friends. When he reached Sector I-8, a Land Cruiser blocked his way and pulled over in front of his car while a white Toyota came and parked right behind.
"A few unknown men wearing uniforms of Elite Force came up to me, saying I crushed a man at Zero Point and drove off and then these men forcibly took me alongwith them," Umer Cheema added.
He further revealed that the men covered his face and took him to a building after a 45 to 50 minutes drive.
"I was held in illegal captivity for 6 hours during which I was continuously tortured and humiliated in nude. They stripped me, hanged me upside down and shaved off my head and moustaches," the senior reporter recounted.
Umer Cheema quoted the captors as saying: "Do you intend to have Martial Law imposed in the country by publishing anti-government reports?"
He said the captors warned: "Stop writing against the government, if you cannot bear this torture and that Ansar Abbasi will be the next target if I failed to stop."
They were also aware of my arrival in Gujranwala, Umer Cheema added.
Terming this incident a direct attack on freedom of press and a calculated move to put the media under pressure by a strong and powerful section of the country which claims itself above the law, norms, constitution and executive, the PFUJ President, Pervaiz Shoukat and Secretary General PFUJ Shamsul Islam Naz, said, adding that the journalists community with the support of the democratic forces would not allow anyone to run a state within a state and subjugate the democratic institutions and the free media.
They said it is a matter of satisfaction that Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yousaif Raza Gilani and other government functionaries have taken prompt and serious notice of this barbaric incident and assured in clear terms that the culprits would be brought to justice.
They said that it is the constitutional obligation of the state to protect life, property and ensure a conducive environment for a free media enabling media persons to discharge their basic functions of keeping the citizens informed.
They said that the entire journalists community, civil society, democratic forces are with the government to expose the “hidden hand” which appears to be involved in packing up democratic setup for their vested interests.
They further said that the PFUJ believes that such sort of attacks on journalists by unidentified elements show that the media is being terrorized and harassed as they consider it an obstacle in their nefarious designs.
“We also consider it a warning to media that it can be targeted any time and anywhere to bar it from professional duties. But journalists are brave enough and no such act can restrict them from reporting the truth,” they asserted.
They demanded of the government to take action against the culprits irrespective of the affiliations and they be proceeded agonist in accordance with law.
They welcomed the pledge by the President, the Prime Minister, and the Minister for Interior and Federal Minister for Information for free and fair investigation of the incident and to expose the causes of the incident, identify culprits to avert any untoward incident against media persons in future.
They assured that the PFUJ and the entire journalists community would fully cooperate the investigative agencies for reaching a just and right conclusion and unearthing the real culprits.
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk
http://www.facebook.com/shamsul.naz
http://shamsulisalmnaz.blogspot.com/?spref=gb -
TV Driver Killed, Eight Journalists Injured in Quetta Blast
TV Driver Killed, Eight Journalists Injured in Quetta Blast -
PFUJ condemns Quetta rally attack, seeks steps for safety of journalists
ISLAMABAD, Sept 3: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the suicide attack, followed by indiscriminate firing on an Al-Quds day rally, organized by the Imamia Students Organisation (ISO), at Meezan Chowk Quetta in which more than 56 people were killed and over 102 injured.
At least eight people from different media outlets sustained injuries and a driver of a private news channel was killed in this incident. The media persons who were injured include
min Mengal (Cameraman ARY TV), Imran Mukhtar (Cameraman Geo TV), Fateh Shakir (Cameraman Dawn TV), Hakim (Cameraman Aaj TV), Shahid (Cameraman Samaa TV), Mustafa Tareen (Bureau Chief ARY), Irshad Mastoi (Reporter Express TV), & Noor Elahi Bugti (Acting Bureau Chief Samaa TV), while a driver of Aaj TV Mohammad Sarwar succumbed to his injuries and died in Civil Hospital Quetta.
The injured media persons were rushed to the Civil Hospital and later few of them were shifted to Combine Military Hospital (CMH) where they are said now to be out of danger.
Earlier, reacting violently to the blast the infuriated people resorted to the firing at a DSNG of a private TV channel parked near the blast site, making hostage the staffer of the channel present in the vehicle.
Expressing concern over such sorrow state of affairs prevailing in Balochistan, the PFUJ said the incident had again proved that media men are working in hostile conditions without any security or protection, and they easily fall pray to such incidents.
The PFUJ said that incidents of blasts, firings have become order of the day in various parts of the country, especially in Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa, Punjab and in tribal areas in which a number of journalists have seriously been injured while about 8 have already lost their lives while 14 reporters and cameramen have suffered injuries while performing their professional assignments after the 9/11 incident in Pakistan.
It may be noted that "on April 16, of this year Samaa TV cameraman Malik Arif lost his life in a the suicide bombing at the Quetta hospital while five other journalists, Noor Elahi Bugti of Samaa TV, Salman Ashraf of Geo TV, Fareed Ahmed of Dunya TV, Khalil Ahmed of Express TV and Malik Sohail of Aaj TV injured.”
The PFUJ further contended that neither the media owners were careful about their legal obligation, nor the government was taking any notice of such types of incidents, in which lives of media persons are at stake.
The PFUJ pointed out that media persons were neither trained, nor any protective material given to them despite demands made by the PFUJ.
The PFUJ urged the government to take notice of the Quetta incident and provide compensation to the family of the deceased cameraman and injured journalists.
Moreover, selfishness, bias and unprofessional coverage of the incident had once again exposed the true face of electronic media owners which can be judged from the fact that almost all channels mentioned only names of their dead / injured cameramen, reporters, driver, or employee and refrained form mentioning the names of the reporters or cameramen of other channels who were all equal human beings and had suffered serious injuries and died during coverage of the procession being a member of teem.
Commenting on this unprofessional approach of the media owners, the PFUJ said how can these channels claims themselves to be fair in reporting when they have different yardsticks for various sections of human beings.
They are running the channels to inform the citizens of factual events, who just for jealously or due to commercial interests were reluctant to refer the name of the other channels despite the fact that was most important part of the incident.
This act is highly deplorable and regrettable, the PFUJ said.
The PFUJ termed the incident a shameful act of terrorism which reflected inhuman and callous nature of perpetrators. The journalist community is taking the incident as an attack on media, the PFUJ said.
The PFUJ cautioned that if media owners did not provide security to media persons, the PFUJ would be compelled to seek registration of criminal cases against them for ignoring their responsibilities towards their employees.
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
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PFUJ condemns Quetta rally attack, seeks steps for safety of
PFUJ condemns Quetta rally attack, seeks steps for safety of journalists
ISLAMABAD, Sept 3: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the suicide attack, followed by indiscriminate firing on an Al-Quds day rally, organized by the Imamia Students Organisation (ISO), at Meezan Chowk Quetta in which more than 50 people were killed and over 102 injured.
A Driver of Aaj T.V. DSNG Muhammad Sarwar was also died due to blast-cum-firing, while Muhammad Shahid Cameraman of Express T.V, Muhammad Imran, DawnNews cameraman Fateh Shakir, GEO Cameraman, Muhammad Ijaz, SAMA Cameraman, Noor Elahi Bugti, Reporter SAMA TV and Mustafa Tareen, Reporter GEO TV, and some other representatives of different media houses who had been covering the rally were also injured.
Expressing concern over such sorrow state of affairs prevailing in Balochistan, the PFUJ said the incident had again proved that media men are working in hostile conditions without any security or protection, and they easily fall pray to such incidents.
The PFUJ said that incidents of blasts, firings have become order of the day in various parts of the country, especially in Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa, Punjab and in tribal areas in which a number of journalists have seriously been injured while about 8 have already lost their lives while 14 reporters and cameramen have suffered injuries while performing their professional assignments after the 9/11 incident in Pakistan.
It may be noted that "on April 16, of this year Samaa TV cameraman Malik Arif lost his life in a the suicide bombing at the Quetta hospital while five other journalists, Noor Elahi Bugti of Samaa TV, Salman Ashraf of Geo TV, Fareed Ahmed of Dunya TV, Khalil Ahmed of Express TV and Malik Sohail of Aaj TV injured.”
The PFUJ further contended that neither the media owners were careful about their legal obligation, nor the government was taking any notice of such types of incidents, in which lives of media persons are at stake.
The PFUJ pointed out that media persons were neither trained, nor any protective material given to them despite demands made by the PFUJ.
The PFUJ urged the government to take notice of the Quetta incident and provide compensation to the family of the deceased cameraman and injured journalists.
Moreover, selfishness, bias and unprofessional coverage of the incident had once again exposed the true face of electronic media owners which can be judged from the fact that almost all channels mentioned only names of their dead / injured cameramen, reporters, driver, or employee and refrained form mentioning the names of the reporters or cameramen of other channels who were all equal human beings and had suffered serious injuries and died during coverage of the procession being a member of teem.
Commenting on this unprofessional approach of the media owners, the PFUJ said how can these channels claims themselves to be fair in reporting when they have different yardsticks for various sections of human beings.
They are running the channels to inform the citizens of factual events, who just for jealously or due to commercial interests were reluctant to refer the name of the other channels despite the fact that was most important part of the incident.
This act is highly deplorable and regrettable, the PFUJ said.
The PFUJ termed the incident a shameful act of terrorism which reflected inhuman and callous nature of perpetrators. The journalist community is taking the incident as an attack on media, the PFUJ said.
The PFUJ cautioned that if media owners did not provide security to media persons, the PFUJ would be compelled to seek registration of criminal cases against them for ignoring their responsibilities towards their employees.
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
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PFUJ condemns attack on mediaman in Sialkot
PFUJ condemns attack on mediaman in Sialkot
ISLAMABAD, Aug 31: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the physical assault on Dunya News TV Correspondent in Sialkot Mohammad Imran and termed it a calculated move to intimidate the media and to refrain it from fair and factual reporting.
Sharply reacting to this incident, the PFUJ said that it has once again proved that the law enforcement agencies concerned have failed to discharge their constitutional obligation to protect the life of media persons and ensuring a conducive environment for fair reporting.
According to the reports reaching the PFUJ Secretariat, Hafiz Mohammad Imran was roughed up and injured by unidentified persons outside his residence on August 29 and had to be admitted to a local hospital. The attackers escaped when people started gathering at the place. Imran and his family members have been receiving death threats from unknown callers.
The motive of the attack was to teach a lesson to Imran as he had filmed the gory incident of lynching of two brothers in Silkot in which a group of people were shown hanging him publicly after mercilessly killing them.
The PFUJ pointed out that on its move, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik had ordered the police to provide security to the media man and other Sialkot-based journalists, who had covered the incident of lynching but no security was provided to them.
Likewise, on August 28, a petition was filed by the Electronic Media Reporters Association (EMRA), seeking protection of Imran and a cameraman, Bilal Khan, who had covered the tragic episode as they were facing death threats. The court issued appropriate orders to the Punjab Police in this regard too.
The PFUJ, condemning this incident in strong terms, held the Punjab government and police responsible for this act and termed it an open threat to journalists fraternity that if they will expose negligence and highhandedness of police and other government functionaries, their life would not be safe.
The PFUJ joined hands with its affiliated Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) and said that it was sad state of affairs that media was targeted by gangs with impunity under official patronage after which the gang then escapes.
The PFUJ demand that the government should take immediate notice of the incident and steps be taken for bringing the real culprits to justice and to ensures safety of media persons.
The PFUJ warned that media persons would not tolerate such types of barbaric acts of the outlaws operating under the patronage of the Punjab Police and gave an ultimatum that if culprits and their masters are not arrested within 48 hours, a country-wide protest would be launched against the Punjab Government till the acceptance of its just demand.
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk -
What a catastrophic downfall!
What a catastrophic downfall!
Readers & fans of DAWN were shocked and stunned to read a news item in Dawn published on Saturday on the front page in which a knave type of apology was tendered. Never such had happened in the whole history of DAWN which was renowned the world over for its high quality reporting and high calibre of its editors.
Sindh High Court story: apology Saturday, 28 Aug, 2010
KARACHI, Aug 27: A news item was printed on the front page of daily Dawn dated 23 June, 2010 under the caption Rs.1.8 million for Sindh C.J’s treatment in US, which was authored by reporter Bhagwandas. In the said news item it was reported that Government had relaxed the ban on overseas treatment at public expense treating it as an exceptional case and parts of the medical history of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Sindh High Court were published. It was further insinuated that perhaps he was not entitled to the treatment abroad. However, it has now been verified that as the treatment for the Hon’ble Chief Justice was not available in Pakistan, he had no option but to have the same abroad. In the past also Hon’ble Judges of superior Courts of this country have gone abroad for such treatment where it was not available in Pakistan, which is permissible to them under the Rules. Consequently, Dawn renders an unconditional and unqualified apology to the Hon’ble Chief Justice and Judges of Sindh High Court for having published and printed the above news item without verifying the correct position. Dawn undertakes to be more careful in future. “
What a stupour ! DAWN itself is admitting a very careless and irresponsible attitude which has been unlike its glorious traditions and world class reporting.
The news item relates to not less important a personality than an Honourable Chief Justice of Sindh High Court. The long and short of the story is that the Honourable Chief Justice was in need of treatment which was not available in Pakistan, just in a customary and routine way, which was his privilege.
It is simply not understandable what sterling point was noticed about the event by the newspaper to make a mountain out of a mole hill and create a sensational story which ultimately brought disgrace to DAWN the like of which had never happened in the history of DAWN.
But intelligent quarters are not prepared to dismiss it merely as a casusal mistake. They hold that it was a sequel to the recent policy of DAWN to desist from objective and professional approach and adopt a domineering & pro commercial agenda of “vested interests”.
Those who can read in between the lines know that there were certain cases pending in the Sindh High Court involving very personal interests of the Dawn’s owners for which they appeared to have acted over smartly to release a story which might establish their hegemony, which however fired back resulting in reducing the highly dignified newspaper to gutter press level.
The shift in the traditional policy of the DAWN is said to be a calculated move by DAWN Executives in consonance with which an Editor like Mr. Nasir Abbas was inducted in the chain of great Editors like – Altaf Hussain and Ahmad Ali Khan.
Mr. Abbas Nasir is said to have very faithfully fulfilled the mandate given to him and in that process destroyed the high professional standard and norms for which DAWN had been known. Now that the agenda entrusted to him has almost been completed, he is reportedly on the verge of departure. But he appeared to be determined to lick the agenda till the last moment.
The question is whether Mr. Abbas Nasir has built his image as a professional Editor of DAWN or spoilt it altogether by following the non professional agenda and trampling the professional norms.
It would be an interesting propitiation to probe whether the sudden convulsion of tendering “apology” after 78 days of publishing of the said News item, was an honest change of heart, or what took the DAWN 78 days to come to the realization of truth, which was always evident.
On 23-06-2010 an obituary was written “here lies the body of the DAWN which fought valiantly for professional prestige throughout, but fell ultimately to Mr. Abbas Nasir”.
Shamsul Islam Naz
+923008665523
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