Senator proposes publication of ‘national register of crimes against journalists’, another register containing details of targeted journalists, legislation to ensure safety of journalists, setting up of a journalists’ protection fund and special training program to train journalists in basic safety
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Farhatullah Babar has proposed a five point plan to address the growing incidents of targeted and untargeted assassination of journalists and other incidents of violence against them.
He was speaking at the National Press Club in Islamabad at a function organised by PFUJ, RIUJ and the press club to commemorate the journalists martyred in the line of duty.
Senator Babar proposed the publication of what he called ‘national register of crimes against journalists’ containing detailed information about various types of crimes committed against journalists in the three distinct categories of targeted killings, untargeted killing in the line of duty and cases of physical harm to them.
The register should contain complete information about whether case registered or not, the status of each case, the name of the investigating officer and other related information. This information should also be placed on the web for easy access by any one.
Secondly, another register be compiled containing the details of targeted murdered of journalists whether allegedly by state or non state actors, whether any inquiry held, findings of the inquiry, whether cases registered and progress or lack of it in each case.
This register which may be called as ‘national register of shame and horror’ will have great value in exposing the perpetrators of crimes, he said.
Third he said legislation needs to be enacted in consultation with all stake holders and provinces to ensure safety and security of journalists, the centre pieces f which should be the establishment of a separate office of Special Public Prosecutor for pursuing cases of violence against journalists.
Fourth, the setting up of a journalists’ protection fund to provide of care and rehabilitation of the families of victim journalists. He said that the senate information committee was informed the other day that the information ministry has already moved a summary for 200 million rupees as seed money for the fund and called upon the government to expedite it.
Fifth he said a special training program be launched by the media houses in collaboration with other stake holders to train journalists in basic safety and security protocol while working in war zones and covering militancy related events.
Media houses should be held responsible for pushing their employees far too far in the mad rush for breaking news and exclusive stories to risk their lives without providing them with necessary training or wherewithal to protect themselves in hazardous situations.