President Asif Ali Zardari on the World Press Freedom Day stressed for urgently devising a plan of action for the protection of journalists from violence and harassment in performing their professional duties.
The World Press Freedom Day is organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on May 3 every year. In line with the celebrations, the president said the right to information had been for the first time constitutionally guaranteed in Pakistan’s history by incorporating Article 19-A through the Eighteenth Amendment. He said the right to information in all public affairs was subject to law as it was essential for securing democracy, transparency, accountability and good governance.
The president in his message reiterated the government’s commitment to the freedom of expression and also protection of journalists from violence and harassment. He said the government would take all necessary steps to protect media personnel from harassment and violence in discharging their professional duties.
Zardari complimented media personnel for braving odds and urged the government to vigorously pursue and investigate the cases of violence against media personnel. “Punish the perpetrators of crimes in accordance with the law” who have committed violence against journalists, said the president.