International Day To End Impunity For Crimes Against Journalists
Lahore, 2nd November: The International Day for the Protection of Crime from Journalists is being observed today.
Baaghi TV: Electronic Media Reports Regulatory (EMRA) congratulates the journalists on the International Day for the Protection of Crime against Journalists.
EMRA President Muhammad Asif Butt says that journalism is as important as eyes and ears for the society. Unfortunately, due to the increasing violence all over the world, people belonging to this sacred profession have become insecure.
Since 2013, the United Nations has been observing World Protection Day against journalists who cover the truth and expose lies.
President Mohammed Asif Butt said the date was chosen on November 2, 2013, in memory of two French journalists (Claude Verlin and Ghsalin Dupont) who were assassinated in Mali.
In the last 14 years (2006-2019), more than 1,200 journalists around the world have been killed for reporting and disseminating information to the public, according to sources. The killers of 9 out of 10 are not punished and this immunity leads to further murder.
EMRA President said that it is unfortunate that killers of only one out of 10 journalists reach their punishment. The death toll has risen by 18% in the last five years. In addition to being killed, journalists face physical abuse, kidnapping, disappearances, imprisonment and other abuses.
EMRA President further said that in Pakistan, at least 35 journalists have been killed in the line of duty in the last six years.
In just one year from November 2018 to October 2019, 7 people were involved. In the last few months, there has been an increase in the number of kidnappings and disappearances of prominent journalists in Pakistan by unknown individuals, which is a very worrying and reprehensible act.
We would like to draw the attention of international organizations to the fact that practical steps should be taken to ensure freedom of expression as well as protection of life and property of journalists in Pakistan.
