100 journalists sign agenda for inclusion of media, digital rights in party manifesto

January 23, 2024

Staff Report

LAHORE

More than 100 journalists as well as representatives of the civil society signed and released its 6-point agenda on media freedom and journalist safety within political parties’ electoral manifestos. This was drafted by the Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights (NWJDR).

The agenda stresses that for a government and society to be democratic, and for democracy to prevail, it is integral that political parties embed a comprehensive digital rights agenda – for journalists and media personnel – in their electoral manifestos.

The signatories also urged political parties to ensure that their digital rights agenda aligned with national laws and international commitments to human rights, ensuring a free, safe, and inclusive environment for media freedom.

The executive director of Digital Rights Foundation (DRF), Nighat Dad said, ”As the elections are approaching journalists and media practitioners must be given protection and safety for their important work during this time. Political parties must ensure that their electoral manifestos are aligned with human rights principles to ensure a free, safe and inclusive media environment throughout the democratic process and beyond.”

According to details, the agenda considers the following key aspects:

Amend and Ensure Effective Implementation of the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021

It was demanded that Section 6 of this Act should be amended to alleviate the threat to journalistic freedom by addressing concerns over vague and subjective requirements, such as by creating clearer parameters of terms such as “good faith” obligations of journalists and others.

It also demanded that measures outlined in Section 6(3) be eliminated that risk prosecution of journalists and ensure transparency by specifying definitions within the law, preventing arbitrary interpretation, and upholding the principles of media freedom.

Eliminate the 14-day time limitation for filing a complaint of harassment and abusive, violent, and intolerant behavior before the Commission. The amended timeframe for filing the complaint should be a minimum of 30 days.

Reduce the 14 day period to a more reasonable timeframe to expedite the investigative and legal processes against the complaints of harassment and abusive, violent, and intolerant behavior. Additionally, the specific actions that fall under the term “all necessary actions” (as outlined under sections 7(3) and 8(3) of the Act) that will be taken after the filing of a complaint needs to be listed clearly, including a detailed list of investigative steps, and prosecutorial measures.

The Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (CPJMI), as mandated in section 12(1) of the Act, has not been established for the past two years. To ensure the implementation of the Act, it is strongly recommended that the CPJMI be established immediately

Ensure Freedom of Expression and Media Access

1. 1. Ensure that no journalist is barred from accessing information, even under the right to information (RTI) law.
      2016. Prohibit any form of censorship or content blocking that violates Section 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.
      2017. Ensure that no journalist is barred from accessing information, consistent with RTI laws and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and qPolitical Rights (ICCPR) which Pakistan has ratified.
   2. Ensure that no journalist is threatened, intimidated, or mistreated for doing their job of making information more accessible to the masses.
   3. Provide protection to bloggers and influencers and ensure their right to freedom of expression as per law.

Ensure Safety and Protection

1. 1. Prevent the misuse of laws against journalists sharing their work or expressing their views on social media. Ensure that legal provisions are clear, and charges are not fabricated to stifle freedom of expression.
   2. Ensure the safety of journalists, particularly female journalists as per Pakistan’s laws.
   3. Ensure any action taken against journalists, including arrests and detention, is strictly based on human rights principles of necessity, proportionality, and legality. Ensure that due process is followed, and actions are not disproportionate to the alleged offense.
   4. Guarantee that harassment in online spaces against female journalists is taken up by the authorities immediately:
      1. Establish a specialized cell within the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for immediate response to complaints from journalists.
      2. Ensure mandatory gender-sensitive training programs for the personnel at FIA to enhance understanding and responsiveness to gender-based violence against journalists.
   5. Provide protection and compensation to the journalist’s family, including camerapersons, apart from the Press Club administration, if injured or killed during duty.
   6. Ensure journalists’ right to online and offline freedom of assembly and association and commit to end the misuse of instruments such as the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance 1960 or the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 to curb their right to peaceful assembly.

 Implement Media Industry Reforms

1. 1. Ensure safety of Media persons working in/with media houses in both Online and Offline spaces:
      1. Ensure safety of female journalists under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010, allowing healthy and safe working environments where journalists can flourish.
      2. Ensure protection to journalists, especially those belonging to or covering stories related to at-risk and marginalized communities.

• Ensure mandatory gender sensitization training for personnel at media houses to enhance understanding of, and prevent gender-based violence against journalists.

1. Ensure that the media houses end salary delays, increase the workforce to avoid overburdening existing staff, and give yearly increments.
2. Commit to end the influence and monopoly of media houses and political parties to make media reporting unbiased.
3. Take actions to register everyone working in the media, even on web desks, in press clubs.
   1. Mandate registration of all media personnel in press clubs and the Ministry of Information for access and protection.

 Ensure Digital Accessibility and Inclusion

1. 1. Remove obstacles that restrict journalists from covering news on certain issues across Pakistan.
   2. Recognize and address the detrimental impact of internet shutdowns and social media blackouts on journalism.
   3. Invest in infrastructure that promotes the publication of diverse content from various regional and linguistic backgrounds within Pakistan.
   4. Establish measures to deal with harassment and discrimination in journalist spaces, to ensure equal opportunities for women, gender minorities, and other underrepresented groups.

Uphold Data and Protection

1. 1. Advocate for the passage and implementation of the Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, ensuring it aligns with international standards for data protection and addresses existing loopholes.
   2. Establish the National Commission for Personal Data Protection to safeguard individuals’
   3. data rights, with clear and stringent penalties for data breaches
   4. Address the broad and vague definitions within Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act 2016 that have been used to stifle freedom of expression and dissent, and which put journalists at risk of prosecution for legitimate expression.