Muhammad Farouk

Media in Pakistan, striving for security of life and job

Security is the foremost challenge faced by journalists of Pakistan. Journalists are striving and concerned about job security as well as life security while reporting from conflict areas. Latest down sizing in electronic and print media organisations has increased sensitivity of problems manifold. Statistics of causalities speak louder to portray the grim insecurity and lack of awareness about safety measures among media persons. Working environment is equally severe and harsh in entire country either they are reporting from war zones or highlighting receptive social issues through investigation in settled urban areas. In conflict areas, rival groups try to dictate media for projection and hide truth in reporting. Media lost eight working journalists in Year 08 while dawn of New Year 09 is equally dangerous and unsympathetic.

The unsolved killings of Haji Wasi Ahmed (Daily Azadi and Balochistan Express) in Khusdar (Balochistan), Asad Hameed (Daily The Nation) in Rawalpindi and Tariq Mailk (Dawn News channel) in Lahore in mysterious circumstances multiplied the panic among the journalists. Such target killings are still clueless and matter of serious fear for community. Tragic assassination of Musa Khan while giving live coverage to peace deal in Swat valley was condemned by each segment of society. Now every journalist fears to be targeted any time anywhere by anyone as all claims to be friends of media but no one fix invisible foes. In January09, two working media persons Dr Tahir Awan and Mohammad Imran were killed in a blast as both rushed to scene of a suicidal blast followed an explosion in which both fell in prey in D I Khan, NWFP. In Rawalpindi, Punjab, unknown assailants gunned down ‘Dr Aamer Wakil’, a senior journalist of Rohi TV, and editor in a local daily ‘Awami Inqalab’, after a week his brother journalist Kamal Azfar survived an attempt on life in separate firing incident. Facts of Year08 narrate gruesome incidents for media. Swat valley is known for its stimulating natural splendor but proved fatal basin for media. Journalist Qari Muhammad Shoaib, a correspondent of two Mingora-based dailies shot dead by security forces. Security forces admitted that he was killed by them by “mistake.” Journalist Siraj Uddin, “The Nation”, was killed in a suicidal blast while covering the funeral of a slain police officer in Mingora. Journalist Abdul Aziz, ‘Daily Azadi and Daily Khabarkar’ was killed during a security forces’ attack on a Taliban hideout in Swat, two days after he was allegedly abducted by militants. Tribal belt of Pakistan is most hazardous war zone where reporting is being carried out at the cost of life. Journalist Muhammad Ibrahim, ‘Express News’ was gunned down in Khar in the Bajaur tribal region after he interviewed Taliban spokesman. Recently two attempts were made to destroy Bajur press club. It indicates intention of warrior factions to control the coverage of incidents. In Balochistan, Journalist Dr. Abdus Samad alias Dr. Chishti Mujahid, ‘Akhbar-i-Jehan’ was killed for his several articles. Journalist Khadim Hussain Sheikh, ‘Channel Five and Khabrain’ in Hub Balochistan was gunned down for his reporting on issues of smuggling in border areas. In Mianwali Punjab, border mafia killed Journalist Abdul Razzak Johra, ‘Royal TV’ as local drug dealers were believed to be responsible as he prepared several reports on drug-related crimes for his channel. While in Sindh, Journalist Mohammad Azeem Leghari, Dharti TV and Daily Hulchal was killed in Dadu in broad day light.

All unpleasant incidents point out that mafia, militants and all stakeholders of power game want to use media to control flow of news in according to their wishes. There is no serious attempt to provide security by security institutions as well as media organization. Sense for insecurity now is being realized among journalists, government also acknowledges and media organization equally and timely condemns but certain steps are still at lapse.

Media organisations are well aware about the hazardous circumstances involve in reporting. In response to challenges, there are mix trends depending on the nature of organisations. It can’t be said that trend to facilitate media is on rise as only few journalists working for some bigger organisation are beneficiaries otherwise majority of journalists are working at their own cost without any organisational backing. Some media organisations are providing help to journalists to limited extent. For example on eve of Red mosque carnage in mid of capital, leading news channels provided bullet proof jackets. Very few organisations are providing insurance cover. Incentive offers for working in conflict zone are minium; as such organisations can be counted on finger tips. It is also recognized that some media groups are not paying even salary to employees. Due to non payment of salary, a TV channel employee committed suicide in Lahore. In current scenario, media persons are confronting issues of dual security, job security and safety of life, struggling on two major fronts. It is very painful to comment but fact is fact that media organisations are not playing the role of better facilitator for their front runner journalists. Journalists are short of proper training and equipment necessary to conduct coverage in war zones. Media organisation can be graded below to average in efforts to eliminate issues of threats to life and job.

In Pakistan media boom was observed with start of a race to launch new channels. Government regulatory authority issued licences without releasing the market strength and capacity to absorb the numbers of channels for TV as will FM stations. Downfall was also rapid and heinous as all the leading news channels and entertainment networks conducted downsizing in wake of recent economic down turn. A large number of journalists and media workers were deprived off their lucrative jobs which directly hit the life style of their families. Beginning of channels was very encouraging for media but all proved a short term bang. Now all channels of radio and TV are in struggle to exist. For their survival, they even scarified a large number of jobs. Now existence in media is directly linked to investment and mostly channels and associated workers are uneasy to maintain their level of life. Due to downsizing, media unions are very vocal, but no solid pledge is made towards job security.

Bad economics has affected the advertising spending by all stakeholders of media and advertising agencies. A downward trend is being observed in market. Advertising is the biggest source of income but unfortunately both electronic and print media have to revise their strategies to exist as advertising trends are not much favourable as a result whole media industry has to follow a trend to downsize to meet challenges of economic fears.  Advertising spending by corporate sector is on decline while government allocations are always conditional. Government mostly use weapon of advertisement to influence newspapers and electronic media organisations. It is very valid reality that government policy for advertisement also a reason to force news channels to impose cut down on its employment. According to some sources, government linked the advertising spending with increase of recreational programs on news channels. It was the direct reason that news channels have to introduce reforms by downsizing news crews.

With induction of new democratic regime in Pakistan, change in media policy was expected. But so far present government has not introduced significant steps in this regard. New media policy is still awaited. Although the role of current set up is not as coercive like previous regimes but still media community is waiting some solid steps to facilitate and guide media to consolidate its growth and better image building. A media policy is required that provide facilitation to media industry to grow which can provide better job opportunities to journalists as well help to stir responsibility to avert misuse of media. Media policy should focus on two areas sustainability in growth and development of sector through capacity building.

No is the simplest answer about change in status of 7th wage award implementation for last many years. Journalists and unions are asking to implement 7th wage award, also arguing to constitute 8th wage board award. In this regard, Ms Sherry Rehman chaired a tripartite meeting on the implementation of 7th Wage Award, comprising representatives of Newspapers employees and publishers. A working group was constituted to complete its work.

Media and journalists are facing worst environment, on one side job is insecure while reporting from war zone is equally insecure. Job insecurity is equally biggest threat as to life. Government, political parties, state organs, media organization and other stakeholders argue to be friends of media, supporters of freedom but there are dire need to provide practical implementation of a program in which freedom is ensured with job and personal security. Mushroom of channels doest fulfill the claim but it demands that journalists should be provided better working conditions with equal chance of growth. Media is important pillar of any country, if media is not safe, it can’t report a sense of security. To handle the curbs of insecurity, series of training workshops for safety measures should be organized. Journalists should be acquainted with safety and security issues while reporting in conflict zones. To ensure professionalism in media, a detailed policy should be drafted after consultation with all major stakeholders, in which a time frame should be fixed to achieve certain targets. Media itself is aware about its role but all other partners and associates should also assist media for freedom of expression for solid use of media.

Muhammad Farouk, Research Analyst on Security, Media and Democracy based in Islamabad

http://www.pakobserver.net/200905/05/Articles02.asp