DigiMAP Demands Freedom, Protection Of Journalists To Cover Upcoming Elections

News Desk

Islamabad: DigiMAP (Digital Media Alliance of Pakistan) demands that journalists and media professionals within Pakistan have the freedom to cover the upcoming elections, including the pre-election period, without fear of violence, threats, state-imposed restrictions or legal actions aimed at stifling free speech or targeting journalists.

With general elections on the horizon, amidst political uncertainty and transition, DigiMAP expresses deep concern about the possibility of violence, intimidation, and the imposition of restrictions.

In this regard, DigiMAP joins the global community in observing the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists on November 2. This year holds particular significance as it aligns with the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

Disturbingly, Pakistan finds itself on the Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) 2023 Global Impunity Index, a list that Pakistan has consistently featured on since its inception.

In this year’s index, Pakistan witnessed eight journalists fall victim to fatal attacks with impunity. Regrettably, four of these cases are believed to have been perpetrated by criminals, while two are attributed to political groups.

These alarming statistics highlight the failure of the state to fulfil its international and national obligations to protect and enable journalists to perform their duties without fear, thereby ensuring that crimes against the press are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, statedDigiMAP official.

DigiMAP President Sabookh Syed and General Secretary Adnan Aamir stressed that Pakistan is bound by international law to swiftly and thoroughly investigate attacks on journalists and bring the responsible parties to justice.

This obligation is firmly enshrined in international and national human rights instruments, as well as various United Nations protocols and resolutions, all of which unequivocally mandate states to provide effective remedies for human rights violations, they added.

Similarly, the Freedom Network Impunity Report 2023 highlights Pakistan’s struggle to protect journalists through legislation, resulting in increased attacks on media practitioners.

The report urgently calls for a safety commission under the federal Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, adequate resourcing for Sindh’s ‘Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners’, and the adoption of similar safety laws in other provinces.

DigiMAP remains dedicated to advocating for the rights, safety, and freedom of journalists and will continue to support efforts to end impunity for crimes against journalists, official added.