Quetta: Members of Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) vowed to make no compromise on the freedom of press during a protest demonstration, on Tuesday.
The protest was a part of country wide “protecting press freedom movement” in which journalists and members of civil society participated in large numbers.
Addressing the protest demonstration, Saleem Shahid Senior Vice President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) said that journalist community will not make any compromise on the press freedom. “Today media is facing unannounced censorship and journalists are being laid off from media organizations,” He added. “There can’t be any democracy without free press and hence we will keep on defending free press,” He vowed.
Khalil Ahmed President of BUJ said that there is an unannounced censorship on media while expressing his views in front protestors. He complained that media houses are sacking journalists without any reason. “Jang group laid off 180 staff members from its research department and another media house sacked reporters and cameramen who have been working for 15 years,” He lamented.
Shahzada Zulfiqar, Chairman Media Joint Action Committee said that it appreciable that BUJ, Quetta Press Club, Newspapers editors Counsel, Monthly Magazines Editors Newspaper Market and other Media groups are in a one row for their rights. He added that it’s the constitutional right of journalists to speak up. He urged media houses to devise Human resource policy rather than laying off journalists without any reason.
Mr. Shah Muhammad Jatoi, President Balochistan High Court Bar Association also expressed solidarity with the protesting journalists. He said that freedom of speech is our constitutional right no one can snatch it. “Balochistan High Court Bar Association and Quetta Bar along with Lawyers are with Journalists and will provide full support,” He added.
Header Picture Credit: Sami Khan
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