ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday said that impunity for crimes against journalists was an international issue as undemocratic regimes, extremists and anti-people forces were bent upon to wipe out press freedom from the globe.
In his message on the “International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists” being observed today, Bilawal said that no single nation could eliminate the cruel injustice, and the solution in this regard, could be devised only by serious, coordinated and practical steps by the international community.
“On one hand, the previous government promoted paid journalism, while on the other, the current selected government has squeezed the space for bona fide and independent journalists,” he said.
The PPP chief expressed concern over the perception that professional bodies of journalists were declaring Pakistan a dangerous country for media persons but rulers and corporate media was acting as if everything was right.
“Peoples Party governments always buried the dark laws imposed by dictatorial regimes against press and media, but rightist forces installed as rulers always start gagging them.”
Bilawal said journalists and media persons were still facing insecurity and media institutions were fighting for their survival.
“Democracy and press are deeply interlinked. PPP considers struggle for freedom of the press as a key part of the movement for the strengthening of democracy,” he asserted.
