Journalists are determined to report from the volatile NWFP even after their beloved Press Club in Peshawar comes under attack. The first direct attack on a media institution. It’s a profession that can only be pursued with passion and desire.
What happened?
As around 30 journalists waited on the upper floor of the Peshawar Press Club for a press conference to begin, a suicide bomber casually walked up to the main gate and detonated the explosives when he was not allowed entry.
4 people were killed. Around 17 injured. Head Constable Riazuddin, who was deployed for the last 3 years because he recognized all members, gave up his life to save many others.
Injured were rushed to a hospital.
Is this significant?
The death toll is negligible keeping in view the amount of innocent killings that just the city of Peshawar in NWFP has recently witnessed. But this is a direct attack on people who bring information from a region of the country that is at the war front. It is not very easy to provide information from the sensitive area. Journalists work under immense pressure in the area. They are caught between the security forces and militants. Reporters have to be immensely watchful of talking about sensitive issues that might upset any of the parties involved. There is also the national interest that needs to be protected. And the life too.
Clearly the way journalists have been reporting and the ways their messages have been broadcast by the electronic media have had an impact. It clearly has left a bad taste in the mouth of the aggrieved party and hence this attack.
The job is being well done that means.
Is there a solution?
A journalist from Peshawar Iftikhar Firdous tells me that Pakistan climbed up to tenth position in the list of countries with untoward conditions for journalists to report from.
This should not be able to stifle the precious voices. Safety training and capacity –building measures could be helpful. All media organizations should take steps to provide fair pay and adequate support for their safety and protection. Insurance schemes are very useful to give a sense of security in the event of injury or worse.
What happened?
As around 30 journalists waited on the upper floor of the Peshawar Press Club for a press conference to begin, a suicide bomber casually walked up to the main gate and detonated the explosives when he was not allowed entry.
4 people were killed. Around 17 injured. Head Constable Riazuddin, who was deployed for the last 3 years because he recognized all members, gave up his life to save many others.
Injured were rushed to a hospital.
Is this significant?
The death toll is negligible keeping in view the amount of innocent killings that just the city of Peshawar in NWFP has recently witnessed. But this is a direct attack on people who bring information from a region of the country that is at the war front. It is not very easy to provide information from the sensitive area. Journalists work under immense pressure in the area. They are caught between the security forces and militants. Reporters have to be immensely watchful of talking about sensitive issues that might upset any of the parties involved. There is also the national interest that needs to be protected. And the life too.
Clearly the way journalists have been reporting and the ways their messages have been broadcast by the electronic media have had an impact. It clearly has left a bad taste in the mouth of the aggrieved party and hence this attack.
The job is being well done that means.
Is there a solution?
A journalist from Peshawar Iftikhar Firdous tells me that Pakistan climbed up to tenth position in the list of countries with untoward conditions for journalists to report from.
This should not be able to stifle the precious voices. Safety training and capacity –building measures could be helpful. All media organizations should take steps to provide fair pay and adequate support for their safety and protection. Insurance schemes are very useful to give a sense of security in the event of injury or worse.
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