Deadliest Year for Journalists in Pakistan: Freedom Network’s 2024 Report
The Freedom Network’s “Impunity Report 2024” has highlighted 2024 as a particularly dangerous year for journalists in Pakistan. The report reveals that six media practitioners, including a YouTuber, lost their lives, and 57 violations were recorded. Despite existing laws like the Sindh Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners Bill 2021 and the federal Protection of Journalist and Media Professional Act 2021, enforcement has been lacking, leaving journalists vulnerable.
Alarming Statistics
Between October 2023 and August 2024, five journalists and digital media practitioners were murdered, and there were 11 assassination attempts. Sindh recorded the highest number of violations with 21 cases, including three murders, followed by Punjab with 13 cases, Islamabad with 12, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with seven, and Balochistan with two.
Types of Violations
TV journalists were the most targeted, facing 30 violation cases, which is 53% of the total. Print media accounted for 35% of the cases, digital media 10%, and radio journalists 2%. The report also notes violations against women journalists.
Call for Action
Iqbal Khattak, Executive Director of Freedom Network, emphasized the need for political will and resources to enforce laws protecting journalists. The report stresses the importance of addressing impunity to ensure media freedom in Pakistan, as an average of six violations are reported each month.
Doubts Revealed
Freedom Network -: Freedom Network is an organization that works to protect journalists and promote media freedom. They report on issues like violence against journalists and help raise awareness about the challenges media workers face.
Impunity Report 2024 -: The Impunity Report 2024 is a document created by the Freedom Network. It talks about the problems journalists face in Pakistan, like violence and lack of protection, and how these issues are not being addressed properly.
Journalist Protection Laws -: Journalist protection laws are rules made to keep journalists safe while they do their work. These laws are supposed to prevent harm to journalists, but in Pakistan, they are not being enforced well, which means journalists are still in danger.
Sindh, Punjab, Islamabad -: Sindh, Punjab, and Islamabad are regions in Pakistan. Sindh and Punjab are provinces, while Islamabad is the capital city. The report mentions these areas because they had the most cases of violence against journalists.
Impunity -: Impunity means not being punished for doing something wrong. In this context, it refers to people who harm journalists not facing any consequences, which makes it dangerous for journalists to do their job.
