The declaration of the National Journalists Convention held in Islamabad under the auspices of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has rejected the amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PICA), calling it a ‘black law’, which has been specifically designed to suppress journalists and facilitate the crushing of Pakistan’s media landscape.
The declaration has called on the Parliament to review all laws that are contrary to Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
“We condemn the government’s violation of its solemn promise that these laws will never be used as a weapon against the press,” the declaration said.
“We observe that the authorities have instead intensified a campaign of judicial harassment, including arbitrary removal of journalists from flights and restrictions on professional travel abroad, creating a pervasive climate of fear and intimidation.”
The convention expresses grave concern at the ongoing forced dismissals and deliberately created job insecurity by media owners, particularly in the electronic media sector, where layoffs are being carried out without any justification. In this situation, according to the declaration, hundreds of professionals are becoming unemployed due to record inflation.
The convention declared that “we consider these mass dismissals to be a systematic plan to bring the media under the control of state institutions.” We further condemn the introduction of third-party hiring as a tactic to bypass the wage board and national labor laws and serve the interests of the ‘Seth mafia.’
The declaration states that this convention strongly condemns the denial of basic employment rights to journalists and media workers, including health insurance, gratuity and EOBI registration and benefits.
According to the declaration, such denial is not just an administrative failure but a deliberate violation of the dignity, security and legal rights of workers. ‘We demand the establishment of a clear employment structure through an Act of Parliament to protect the jobs of journalists, media workers and technicians working in electronic and digital media.’
The declaration further states that ‘this convention expresses serious concern over the government policy under which government advertisements are being used as a tool of financial pressure to influence editorial content and impose censorship through informal ‘press advice’. The Dawn newspaper in particular is a victim of this policy. It is not only being deprived of government advertising but is also facing a situation where the private corporate sector is being persuaded to withhold advertising.
“We particularly condemn the role of the government in making the release or sponsorship of advertising funds conditional on the management of media houses terminating the services of certain journalists and media workers,” the declaration said.
The convention has demanded that all cases against journalists under PECA be withdrawn immediately and unconditionally and that the legal framework be transparently reviewed so that it cannot be used for political vendettas.
“We further demand the immediate payment of all arrears and salaries and insist that economic coercion is a direct attack on media freedom.”
The convention also calls for the immediate implementation of the Eighth Wage Board Award to ensure the protection of workers’ economic rights.
The declaration said, “We also call for the commencement of the Ninth Wage Board Award process, which should include print, electronic and digital media.”
The convention further demanded that all media houses provide health insurance, gratuity and EOBI registration and benefits to journalists and media workers without any discrimination or delay. According to the declaration, these are legal rights and essential protections, not favors granted at the discretion of the owners.
Denial of these rights should be considered a violation of labor laws and human dignity. “We urge media owners to respect human dignity and prioritize the rights of low-paid staff.”
According to the declaration, the convention commends the appointment of the chairman of ITNE and hopes that the current head will prioritize the early disposal of pending cases of journalists and media workers.
“We declare that journalism is not a crime and that governments cannot suppress the truth by silencing, harassing or imprisoning those who speak the truth.”
The convention expressed solidarity with the media community, saying that the protection of expression and the economic security of journalists and media workers are non-negotiable for a functioning democracy.
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