Pakistan: Report on media freedom claims 10 journalists were murdered last year

According to the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors’ (CPNE) Media Freedom Report 2020, attempts to silence the press continued throughout the year, reports Dawn News.

The report mentioned that according to investigative reports on press freedom, journalists discharged their duties despite increasing restrictions from January to December last amid conspiracies to curtail freedom of expression.

The verbal and physical harassment by senior officials and representatives of the government and registration of fake cases against journalists and their arrests, including that of Jang’s Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakilur Rehman, painted a grim scenario with regard to freedom of the press and journalists’ protection, Dawn News reported quoting the report.

"No action has so far been taken against those responsible for torturing and killing of journalists and it seems that such persons enjoy impunity.

“It is a matter of grave concern that the legal system of the country has become useless in protecting and providing justice to journalists,” said the CPNE report.

“It is not the first time government officials (have) tried to impose curbs on freedom of expression, but senior officials talked against the freedom of the press at local and international forums. Prime Minister Imran Khan had told Al Jazeera in September 2020 that his government and ministers were feeling unsafe from the media,” it said.