KARACHI: Pakistan’s upcoming general elections in 2023 are shrouded in uncertainty, but charged political rhetoric, rallies and protests have already had profound negative impact on safety of media and space for free expression in country. Unfortunately, nature of attacks on media in 2022-23 suggest that journalists and media professionals will face an onslaught of violence om politically charged environment leading to elections.

In an annual report released by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) on World Press Freedom Day 2023 here PPF recommended concrete actions to ensure safety of journalists during political transition.

Report recommends immediate formation of Commission for Protection of Journalists and Other Media Professionals by federal government. Effective implementation of Federal Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021 and provincial-level Sindh Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners Act 2021 is essential to increase accountability, reduce violence against media and tackle culture of impunity surrounding these crimes.

Election Commission of Pakistan must review its Code of Conduct for media and ensure that it provides unambiguous measures to ensure safety of journalists and media professionals reporting on elections. Any sections about restricting media coverage should be excluded from Code of Conduct for National Media. ECP must also review its Code of Conduct for Political Parties and ensure that it assigns specific responsibility to political parties for media safety and compels them to share their plans for media safety to prevent incidents such as death of Sadaf Naeem that took place at political rally in October 2022.

Report also recommends that ECP assign specific responsibility to political parties for safety of media and require them to ensure effective measures for media safety are in place during their electioneering events. Mandated content regulator, PEMRA, must not encourage censorship or act as muzzle on free speech. During both provincial and general elections, coverage of all developments must be permitted without fear of reprisal or prohibition orders stopping broadcast of critical issues or incidents.

Digital and social media platforms may become sources of information overload during election cycles. While it is media’s responsibility to ensure accurate and verified coverage and take any measures to increase regulation of these platforms. Free expression across all media platforms is vital for free and fair election in democracy.

Registration of cases and initiating criminal proceedings against journalists or media persons encourage self-censorship through intimidation. Journalists must be permitted to work without fearing legal reprisals, lengthy cases or arrests. Media organisations must also provide journalists with safety training and equipment. Physical and mental well-being of staff should be taken into account and safeguarded through practical training, timely payment of salaries and constant evaluation of safety risk to journalists.

Only by protecting safety of journalists and media professionals, public can receive accurate and impartial information and democratic process can be conducted freely and fairly.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 03 2023

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