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Authorities urged to protect TV journalist targeted by militant threatsAnsar Ali Naqvi, a journalist working for a private TV channel, has been target of a campaign of threats by the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) since January 31 because he failed to provide live coverage of one of its meetings in Karachi, according to Reporters Without Borders Asia-Pacific desk.
“We urge the authorities to provide Naqvi with protection without delay,” said Benjamin Ismaïl, head of the Reporters Without Borders Asia-Pacific desk. “We firmly condemn ASWJ’s campaign of intimidation. Trying to make a news organisation cover one event rather than another constitutes an attack on freedom of information. These actions must stop, and a thorough investigation must be carried out to identify those responsible.”
Naqvi told Reporters Without Borders he received a threatening call from ASWJ spokesman Akber Saeedi on the evening of January 31 trying to get his channel break away from the Musharraf trial to cover his organisation’s meeting.
Naqvi refused, pointing out that banner text across the foot of the screen was providing information about ASWJ’s meeting. Regarding Naqvi’s refusal as an insult, ASWJ’s leaders posted his name and phone number on social networks along with calls for reprisals. As a result, he received hundreds of SMS texts threatening him and his family, said Reporters Without Borders. Naqvi has asked social networks to remove his contact details, which were posted without his permission. “I think I was targeted because of my profession as a journalist... but also because I am Shia,” he told Reporters Without Borders.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk