Journalists praised for exposing Karo-kari

KARACHI – A survey conducted by the Karachi Union of Journalists to mark Press Freedom Day has praised journalists working for the Sindhi-language press for exposing customs like karo-kari and honour killings despite threats from feudal lords.

A KUJ press release on April 3 said journalists work in a highly intolerant society and are subjected to violence at the hands of law-enforcement agencies, political parties and religious and ethnic groups, yet they receive low salaries and few have access to medical or insurance facilities.

It urged newspaper editors and proprietors to improve the working condition of journalists and provide better facilities such as medical, insurance and provident fund benefits. This would also help to improve the quality of journalism.

The KUJ at the same time, appealed to journalists to respect the ethics of reporting and act with greater responsibility. It regretted that the proposed press council and the freedom of information had not yet been discussed with the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists.

“The KUJ believes that under these circumstances and in the presence of more than one dozen press laws, the press council can only be need against working journalists”, the press release. The KUJ survey was based on interviews with some 600 journalists.

Source: Dawn

Date:5/5/2004