02-Nov-2024
Promoting Unity and Leadership for Social Empowerment (PULSE) organized a roundtable discussion at Media Baithak, Karachi, on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI). American and Pakistani journalists, media leads, and human rights advocates congregated to discuss the rise of threats and violence against journalists amid crisis situations around the world. The event had also allowed the journalists to share their best practices as well as discuss the critical role that the media plays in the protection of human rights. Given an increase in harassment and violence against media practitioners globally, with a particular focus in South Asia, the roundtable discussion stressed encouraging cross-border collaboration and improving the legislative frameworks in the region to protect journalists.
The co-founder of PULSE, Najia Ashar, opened the discussion by noting that in the U.S., media freedom is protected by robust legislation, making press independence and journalist safety core values supported by both government and civil society. However, issues such as harassment, online threats, and disinformation persist, highlighting the need for ongoing protections and international advocacy for journalists’ safety. She also emphasized that Pakistan’s new pro-journalist legislation is a pivotal step toward advancing media freedom and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among government bodies, civil society organizations, and media groups to create a safe environment that protects journalists and eradicates impunity.
Faysal Aziz Khan, Senior Broadcast Journalist and President of PULSE, emphasized the role journalists play in promoting sustainable development and human rights, reflecting shared values between the U.S. and Pakistan and in terms of freedom of the press. He reiterated PULSE’s commitment to community empowerment through media advocacy and stressed the need for global responsibility in ensuring journalist safety and establishing protocols that support press freedom worldwide.
Louis Hansen, PULSE Director and Senior Investigative Journalist at Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism discussed some personal experiences of harassment to outline just how nonexclusive an occupational hazard faces a journalist. Afia Salam, Senior Journalist, Lubna Jerar Naqvi, Gender Coordinator International Federation of Journalists Pakistan, and Sheher Bano, Vice President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) pressed the need for more training on and awareness about journalist safety and called for media workers unity. At last, the roundtable discussion ended with a strong call toward collective action in protecting journalists and making them more aware of safety protocols. This event consolidates PULSE’s commitment to promoting press freedom and supporting media practitioners in high-risk environments.
