PESHAWAR: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have announced that June 15 (Friday) will be observed as ‘Global Action Day’ to safeguard press freedom in Pakistan on the eve of the first death anniversary of slain tribal journalist Hayatullah Khan, who was killed on June 16, 2006.
According to the two organisations, the government has taken several measures concerning the press, especially TV channels, following the filing of the reference against the chief justice of Pakistan that can be described as “gagging the press”.
The PFUJ has directed all its affiliated journalists and electronic media in Pakistan to set up protest camps or organise rallies on Friday to observe a day of solidarity between Pakistani journalists.
“International journalists’ bodies will send memoranda to President General Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani in this respect while they will also send letters to the Pakistani embassies in their respective countries,” stated the PFUJ in a statement on Wednesday.
It reminded the government of its promises to a high powered delegation led by IFJ President Christopher Warren and consisting of Chris Morely from the National Union of Journalists (UK) and representatives of the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders, the Free Media Movement of Sri Lanka and senior journalists from India and Pakistan to protect journalists and press freedom and the implementation of a wage award.
The PFUJ expressed concern over the “compromise” reached between the government and broadcast media and vowed to continue the struggle for press freedom, protection of journalists and the implementation of the long-standing 7th Wage Board Award.
“IFJ endorses the PFUJ’s calls for the prompt institution of comprehensive safety measures for journalists. These could include, as immediate measures: (1) life insurance for all journalists, photographers and cameramen, (2) safety training for which international groups could be invited to familiarise local bodies with global practices, (3) provision of flak jackets and helmets for all journalists sent into conflict zones, and (4) complete medical coverage for regular staff of established newspapers, agencies and channels,” the statement added.
The PFUJ said it would announce the dates for journalists’ conventions after June 15 as part of its campaign to pressure the government and media owners to accept their demands.
The world’s largest journalists’ organisation IFJ, with over 500,000 members globally, has already issued directives to all its affiliate members around the globe to observe June 15 as Global Action Day in support of Pakistani journalists. The PFUJ’s statement also regretted that the Pakistan Broadcasters Association agreed to prepare a code of ethics on the government’s “directives” following a presidential decree to make changes to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority Ordinance.
