South Asia continued dangerous place in the world for journalists
accounting 25 killings, out of total 70 across the world in 2012. As
many as 13 journalists have lost lives in Pakistan, followed by 5 in
India, 3 in Bangladesh, two each in Nepal and Afghanistan. Syria,
however, tops the list in the world withnessing killings of 28
journalists followed by 12 in Somalia.
A south Asia media monitor report released here says that violence against journalists and theirphysical security remained a major issue and one of the biggest threats to freedom of expression in most of South Asia. Insurgency-hit Balochistan and the northern parts of Pakistan were the most dangerous areas with the range of threats and trauma growing. Journalists here had to steer a perilous course between hostile elements losing 13 of their peers.
The report, while chronicling the pulls and pressures against media in India during 2012, however, fails to mention severe thrashing received by journalists while covering outrage against gang-rape in Delhi.
It mentions that media persons in the conflict zones — Jammu and Kashmir, north-eastern states, Jharkhand — were targeted by non-state actors, enjoying support of extremist elements. Threats of murder and “death sentences” in the north-east and conflicting pressures from militants and official agencies elsewhere made their job extremely difficult. Ironically there were mini conflict zones in “normal” states as well.
The five journalists who lost their lives were, Chandrika Rai (February), Rajesh Mishra (March), Raihan Nayum (September), Chaitali Santra (September) and Thangjam Dijamani, Prime News channel (December). Only Mishra’s killers were caught red-handed.
Apart from these deaths, 22 attacks – in one incident a large crowd attacked 100 journalists covering local election results in Uttar Pradesh, damaging their equipment — and threats against journalists, writers, cartoonists, filmmakers, theatre-persons and artists were recorded in 2012.
A south Asia media monitor report released here says that violence against journalists and theirphysical security remained a major issue and one of the biggest threats to freedom of expression in most of South Asia. Insurgency-hit Balochistan and the northern parts of Pakistan were the most dangerous areas with the range of threats and trauma growing. Journalists here had to steer a perilous course between hostile elements losing 13 of their peers.
The report, while chronicling the pulls and pressures against media in India during 2012, however, fails to mention severe thrashing received by journalists while covering outrage against gang-rape in Delhi.
It mentions that media persons in the conflict zones — Jammu and Kashmir, north-eastern states, Jharkhand — were targeted by non-state actors, enjoying support of extremist elements. Threats of murder and “death sentences” in the north-east and conflicting pressures from militants and official agencies elsewhere made their job extremely difficult. Ironically there were mini conflict zones in “normal” states as well.
The five journalists who lost their lives were, Chandrika Rai (February), Rajesh Mishra (March), Raihan Nayum (September), Chaitali Santra (September) and Thangjam Dijamani, Prime News channel (December). Only Mishra’s killers were caught red-handed.
Apart from these deaths, 22 attacks – in one incident a large crowd attacked 100 journalists covering local election results in Uttar Pradesh, damaging their equipment — and threats against journalists, writers, cartoonists, filmmakers, theatre-persons and artists were recorded in 2012.
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