By Tariq Usmani
HARIPUR: Civic freedoms and democratic governance are closely related to each other but both of them are unachievable objectives unless the freedom of press is ensured in a country. However, every content shared through social media forums especially should be based on the principles of being balanced and ethics of journalism, the speakers said.
This was the gist of the speeches by senior journalists and development experts at a capacity building workshop held and participated by journalists and members of civil society organizations. The workshop titled “empowering media for civic engagement and democracy” was jointly organized by Human Development Organization (HDO), Haripur Union of Journalists (HUJ), Haripur Press Club and Integrated Human Rights Network here on Sunday.
Secretary General PFUJ Shakil Ahmed, president Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists Tariq Usmani, Muhammad Sadaqat president HUJ, Zakir Tanoli President HPC, Muhammad Ahsan Khan Director Program HDO, senior journalists Masood Chowdry and joint secretary PFUJ Madni Ihjaz Jadoon were prominent among those who spoke to the participants.
Speakers said that freedom of expression, assembly and association were the rights not only guaranteed under the UN’s human rights treaties but the constitution of Pakistan also provide assurance for the respect of those civic freedoms. “But these civic liberties, that are prerequisites for a true liberal democracy, are possible only once the media is free from undue restrictions”, they stressed. Talking about the restrictions on media the speakers termed the recent amendments in PECA law, an attempt to muzzle the press but also aimed at harming the civic freedoms of every citizen and democracy demanded repeal of sections of PECA law that limit the constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens.
Speakers in their presentation also threw light on the challenges of the fast changing media landscape in the country especially in the face of growing consumption of digital space and social media. They said that journalists using social media platforms for sharing news and footage should not forget that they were supposed to take the role and responsibilities of a reporter, sub editor, editor and a producer at a time. “So all those job descriptions put responsibilities on their shoulders requiring them to ensure that their content qualifies to be shared within the globally accepted standards of verification, responsibility and journalistic ethics”, they advised.
Secretary General PFUJ Shakil Ahmed said that the PFUJ has already moved the supreme court against the recent amendment in PECA and would continue its struggle till its repeal.
Tariq Usmani president RIUJ threw light on the 75 years struggle of PFUJ for freedom of press and rights of journalists in the country.
Certificates of participation were also given away to the participants of the workshop while a cake cutting ceremony in connection with the platinum jubilee of PFUJ was also held at the end of the workshop.
