Free media in Pakistan is still a new and growing phenomenon but with its burgeoning reach and influence it has succeeded in attracting the youth who are rushing to be a part of this medium. Many leading universities have initiated ‘Media Studies’ programmes which are swiftly gaining popularity. This indicates a positive approach towards our media, but is it safe to be a journalist in the country? The media is advancing but the freedom granted to it is still limited. Instead of securing the establishment of media and firmly rooting it in the state it is victimised time and again at the hands of pressure groups, political parties and agencies.
Pakistan ranks on 151 on the Press Freedom Index, below even Afghanistan. With the deteriorating state of press freedom, journalists’ protection not being ensured; it would not come as a surprise to see us falling even more on the index. The history of the press is filled with despairing incidents which decrease the morale of many future journalists. The killing of journalists like Siddiq Eido, Mohammad Khan Sasoli, Daniel Pearl, Saleem Shahzad, repeated vitctimisation of channels and shutdown, sources of journalists being questioned; under these circumstances what future does productive journalism and journalists have in Pakistan?
YUMNA RAFI
Karachi
