“Journalism can never be silent: that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault. It must speak, and speak immediately, while the echoes of wonder, the claims of triumph and the signs of horror are still in the air.”
                                                                                                 (Henry Anatole Grunwald)
   Journalists, who work to just spread truth, they update people about almost  all the current issues, they highlights the facts and figures to make people understand what is better for them. I call them social workers because they work to reform the society.
   According to the International Press Institute based in Vienna, Austria, in a report released on 21st of November presented that a total of 119 journalists were killed while on assignment so far in calendar year 2012. The IPI report, when compared with previous reports, reveals that for journalists 2012 already has the highest death toll since the IPI started keeping track in 1997. According to the report the deadliest countries, proved for journalists are Syria and Somalia along with Mexico, Pakistan and the Philippines.
   So far 5 journalists are reported to be killed in Pakistan. The government laments but could not make possible measures for the journalists to work freely in a less dangerous environment. If the three organs (judiciary, executive and legislature) of the state make a country run smoothly then journalism is the blood that flows and help to highlight issues and solve problems. If I say that journalism is the soul of the country, it won’t be wrong. But here in Pakistan, journalists are killed, unjustly detained, beaten and threatened by the law enforcement and intelligence agencies, tribal and feudal lords as well as some political parties who claim to promote so called democracy. Sadly the culprits behind all this enjoy full impunity.
   Some steps that should immediately be taken to control alarming rise in violence against media are as follows;

• Local, national and international print, electronic and online media should ensure long-term follow up of cases of assault on media organizations and workers.

• Journalists should be provided with safety and first aid trainings and guidance on how to report in hostile environment.

• Safety equipments including bulletproof jackets and medical kits should be given to journalists covering the conflicts.

• Threats and attacks can be reduced to some extent by adopting a professional approach and impartial and unbiased reporting.

•  There is need for media organizations to develop ‘operating procedures’ with law enforcement agencies that will allow journalists to cover the conflict situations with greater safety.

• Media organizations should interact with all stakeholders including government departments, political parties and groups and security agencies to develop strategies that promote safety of journalists and other media workers.

   Free media is essential to democracy in Pakistan as it promotes transparency and accountability. The impunity enjoyed by those who attack journalists is seriously hampering press freedom in Pakistan and all stakeholders, including media organizations, the government and civil society should join hands to devise some mechanisms for ensuring safety of working journalists.
BY:
OMAIMA KHALID