Pakistan: World’s dangerous and brave zone for journalist

Some people believe it is more comfortable and easy to be a dacoit than to be a journalist in Pakistan.  Being a journalist in Pakistan is not only your own life is at stake indeed your family too.

In some cases, journalists forced to take refuge in foreign countries in fear of life threats. Considering the present worsening political instability, a risky job in Pakistan is to unveil facts to the masses.

Pakistan, according to some latest statistics and data, is ranked top amongst most hazardous countries for media professionals. The ongoing scuffle between political groups and parties are further increasing fire to the pitiable situation and makings things most awful for media professionals to perform their responsibilities with sincerity.

In the latest examples, Wali Khan Babar and Saleem Shahzad have lost their lives. Even after passage of many months, the authorities probing the murders failed to reveal the culprits. A high-profile judicial commission failed to expose the real perpetrators behind the murder of Saleem Shahzad.

Furthermore, Umar Cheema and Hamid Mir along with several others have been threatened by unidentified persons for severe consequences. Being a citizen of Pakistan, everyone has a right to express.

Conversely, our freedom of expression is limited to personal interests and intentions of the influential and powerful circles. The coldblooded behaviors of our society including all the above mentioned things make us unfamiliar to our own society.

It seems that we are living in a jungle where no rule of law subsists. Despite posing ourselves as a democratic country, I frankly distrust it. What I have been taught throughout my life that honestyis the best policy is totally wrong in the present scenario.

One cannot move freely if he/she speaks or writes about establishment. You will be threatened for dire consequences if you attempt to do so. In Pakistan, everyone will be against you, the Taliban, establishment, security forces, and politicians as well.

We used to make comparison with India in everything, but we dare not when it comes to freedom of expression and speech. Without a doubt, democracy is more strong and powerful in India as compared to Pakistan.

All in all, it is extremely hard to be a journalist in a country like Pakistan, where people are deprived of their basic rights. I must praise to all journalists (who are in a real sense journalists) who have spirit and courage to expose the realties to the masses.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=9586

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jan 18 2012. Filed under National, Opinion, Pakistan, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.