Bilawal stresses joint efforts against impunity for crimes against journalists

KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that impunity for crimes against journalists was an international issue as undemocratic regimes, extremist and anti-people forces are bent upon to wipe out press freedom from the globe.

In his message on the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists’, the PPP chairman said that no single nation can eliminate this injustice and solution in this regard is linked in serious, coordinated and practical steps by the international community.

“Democracy and press are deeply interlinked. PPP considers struggle for freedom of press as key part for the movement of strengthening of democracy,” he asserted.

Bilawal pointed out that PPP had been burying the dark laws imposed by dictatorial regimes against press and media in its tenures

He said journalists and media persons were still facing insecurity and media institutions are fighting the war of survival.

The ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ is a UN-recognized day observed annually on 2 November across the world.

Read More: 65 journalists and media workers killed globally in 2017: RSF

Sixty-five journalists and media workers had been killed worldwide in 2017, according to annual figures published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on December 19, 2017

Among them were 50 professional reporters, the lowest toll in 14 years. However, the downward trend was due at least in part to journalists giving up working in the world’s deadliest spots.

War-torn Syria remained the most dangerous country in the world for journalists, RSF said, with 12 reporters killed, followed by Mexico where 11 were assassinated.