Pandemic and state pile pressure on Pakistani journalists
Newspaper editors label Covid-19 and state censorship as major threats to media workers
A new report by the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors has identified Covid-19 and state censorship as major threats to journalists.
According to the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors Media Freedom Report 2020 released on Jan. 31, nine journalists died battling the deadly pandemic last year while at least 10 were murdered.
“Journalists and cameramen increasingly became victims of the virus. Often they had to interview either the corona affected or people appointed for their treatment. They faced problems of adapting standard operating procedures in newsrooms and reportage of the virus. It depicts neglect and non-seriousness in taking necessary steps to protect media workers,” it states.