A resolution passed by a provincial parliament in Pakistan is a crude attempt to silence journalists and will fail, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
The Punjab Assembly passed a resolution on July 9 condemning the role of the media and accusing it of “irresponsible behaviour” following coverage of fake degrees held by members of parliament, according to media reports.
The resolution, which was passed unanimously by the assembly, said some media coverage was being used as political propaganda, leading to public representatives being maligned, according to the reports.
The IFJ joined its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), in demanding the resolution be withdrawn.
“This resolution by the Punjab Assembly is extremely worrying to the IFJ as it shows a total disregard for the media’s crucial role in reporting important matters relating to good governance in Pakistan,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.
“It would be a sensible move for Pakistan’s members of parliament who have concerns about media content to engage in dialogue with journalists and the media rather than use their assemblies to condemn the professional practices of journalists reporting in the public interest.”
The PFUJ called for demonstrations against the resolution, and protest rallies were held by district unions of journalists in numerous cities and towns including Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Karachi, Sukkur, Peshawar and Quetta.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 125 countries