PESHAWAR: A total of 148 cases of attacks and rights violation against media were reported in the country, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during the last one year showing over 40 per cent increase in their incidence compared to last year, said a media watchdog.
According to the Pakistan Press Freedom, 2021, Report, released by the Freedom Network ahead of the May 3 Press Freedom Day, a dramatic escalation in the climate of intimidation and harassment of media and its practitioners adversely affecting freedom of expression and access to information environment was discovered during the year between May 2020 and April 2021.
“The increase in attacks on media and its practitioners in Pakistan points to a collective failure of the government and state to honour commitment of upholding the people’s right to speak in fear-free environment,” said Freedom Network executive director Iqbal Khattak in a news release here.