Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is alarmed by the multiple incidents of violence targeted against journalists and media outlets in Islamabad during protests by the opposition political party, the Pakistan Tehreek i Insaf (PTI). It is unacceptable that journalists and the media, who are tasked with covering key events, become the target of violence during periods of political unrest. The reports of targeted attacks by protestors on the media, despite them identifying as members of the press, and the attacks on both media houses’ property, equipment and attempt to enter the National Press Club are extremely worrisome as they represent a complete disregard for media safety by the PTI.
The targeting of media professionals during protests has become an unfortunate regular occurrence. PPF once again calls on political parties to recognize the role of the media and instead of targeting them, we urge the PTI to develop guidelines for engagement with the media. The political party leadership must set the tone for engaging with media professionals and ensure that party workers do not target and attack journalists and media outlets.
Journalists Targeted
Several attacks on journalists during the protests have been documented. National Press Club Secretary Nayyer Ali told PPF that they had received reports of different incidents including the harassment of women journalists. She shared that alarmingly they had received complaints that journalists were being asked their identity and when they said they were journalists, they were attacked. Additionally, different media outlets’ offices including Aik News, Samaa News and Geo News had been stormed, she shared.
Qurat-ul-Ain Sherazi, a reporter at Independent Urdu, recalled her experience, speaking to PPF: “We were reporting as usual during the protest. Suddenly, some individuals started pushing us. I was with my cameraman, covering the protest, and kept saying that they were hitting the cameraman. Suddenly, they approached me and told me to stop covering the protest. I asked them if we had done something wrong, but someone pushed me from behind. I asked again why they were pushing me and whether I had made a mistake.”
“Initially, there were only two or three people, but within four or five seconds, a small mob of about 20 to 22 people had gathered. They began hitting and pushing me. Then, something sharp struck my leg. At first, I ignored it, and we left the area. I noticed one person holding a wooden stick with a nail on it. It’s possible that’s what injured my leg. Later, I realized my leg was bleeding, and after several hours, it became swollen.”
A cameraman for the Associated Press (AP) Mohammad Yousaf was injured when protestors attacked him on Srinagar Highway, Dawn reported adding that he was hit on his head with an iron road and his vehicle was damaged.
Speaking to the media on November 27, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar condemned the attacks on the offices of different media outlets and thanked reporters, cameramen, and technicians who had been on duty for three days.
Attacks on media houses, DSNGs
Aik News office was attacked by protestors on November 26. Speaking to PPF, Aik News Bureau Chief Ghulam Murtaza said that when PTI protestors reached D-Chowk, where their office is also located, they attacked the office premises. According to Murtaza, the protestors hurled stones at the office, forcefully broke the main gate, and shattered all the office windows. The staff was trapped inside the office for approximately four hours, he shared, adding that several staff members were hit by stones, sustaining minor scratches. A stone struck Murtaza himself, and Director News North Muhammad Adil, also suffered minor injuries when a stone struck him.
“Our office is on the third floor of the building. On the first floor, another media outlet, AGN News, also faced the same violent behavior from the protestors,” he added.
Describing the incident as a mob attack, Murtaza confirmed that the organization will not take any legal action.
Tariq Chaudhry, Bureau Chief of Aaj News, reported that protesters engaged in stone pelting during the midnight hours of November 25-26. While some damage was caused to equipment, fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the rest of the team remained safe. This incident occurred as part of the protest coverage.
Muhammad Shehryar, a reporter for Suno News, informed PPF that protesters hurled stones at Suno News’ DSNG vehicle, causing minor damage. Fortunately, the staff members remained safe.
Ayesha Rehman, an assignment editor from Geo News, recounted that she was working in the office when protesters suddenly began throwing stones at the building. “All the staff members were inside, and the lights were off. Our lead continuously urged us to leave the office, but it was our own choice to stay. No one forced us to remain or cover the protest. The organization always prioritizes our safety over covering such events,” Ayesha explained.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident. However, similar violence occurred on November 24, when PTI protesters attacked Geo News‘ DSNG van. Reporters fled the scene as the situation turned extremely violent, leaving the destroyed van behind. No injuries were reported on either November 24 or November 26.
Ayesha described the atmosphere as terrifying. “Our office is in the middle of D-Chowk, and the protesters were extremely aggressive. It was difficult for anyone, including our staff, to move in or out. Whenever they saw someone with a Geo News tag, they started shouting, ‘Beat them up!’ Just because we are from Geo, they assumed we were against them and began attacking us,” she said.
Protestors try to enter National Press Club
Separately, protestors also tried to enter the premises of the National Press Club in Islamabad on November 26.
Speaking to PPF, National Press Club Vice President Syed Zafar Hashmi said that protestors had tried to enter the premises forcibly. He said that the protestors were reportedly searching for police officials as police were firing outside the press club. For a brief period, they entered the club premises before leaving. The press club gate sustained damage, but no further harm was reported, he shared.
National Press Club Secretary Nayyer Ali told PPF that when protestors entered Islamabad, a mob of 60-70 persons tried to enter the premises. She shared that the press club has one gate on the outside where they first tried to enter from but were not permitted. She noted that the press club had also tightened security. The individuals then tried to enter from the parking gate. They tried to break the side gate doors, she shared, adding that staff was harassed and threatened by protestors who warned that they would enter. She added that then she and others arrived and provided security. Nayyer noted that many DSNGs are parked in the press club parking and once the situation calmed down a bit they permitted the media to enter.
Commenting on the broader situation in the federal capital, Hashmi noted that PTI protestors were angered by what they perceived as inadequate media coverage of their protests, which they attributed to “unannounced censorship.” He mentioned that some incidents such as the attack on the Aik News office and attacks on several media networks DSNG vans had taken place but no significant incidents of violence were reported, as journalists were advised to prioritize safety while covering the protests. Hashmi highlighted that on-ground reporters adhered to these precautions to ensure safe reporting.
Despite this, the documented incidents reflect insufficient measures to protect media safety by authorities and a lack of concern for the safety of journalists by PTI, whose protestors targeted the media. PPF urges the relevant authorities and political parties to work towards developing a safer environment for journalists covering protests. PPF calls for the much-delayed Commission under the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021, to be established immediately by the federal government without any further delays.
Photo: View of site during clash between security officials and protesters during protest of Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) at D-Chowk in Islamabad on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. (Zubair Abbasi/PPI Images).
