News
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
HRCP concerned over threats to journalists
Staff Report
LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has voiced concern at the reports of a number of journalists facing threats in recent weeks and asked the authorities to ensure that threats to journalists end.
A statement issued by HRCP here on Monday said, “The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is alarmed at reports of threats received by journalists on account of their work.
While it is not uncommon for journalists in Pakistan to live under a constant cloud of intimidation and violence, the perceptible increase in threats is manifested by over a dozen journalists killed in 2011, while many others have been forced to go into hiding. Many have exercised self-censorship for the sake of safety and others have suffered for airing views that are unpopular in some quarters. A number of journalists have recently gone public about the threats they have received from ‘anonymous callers’.
They have also mentioned cell phone numbers of the callers but little has been done to identify or prosecute these people. A government committed to media freedom must neither remain a spectator in the circumstances nor wait to be implored into action.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk