Media houses asked to provide training, safety gadgets to journalists

Journalists have asked the government and media houses to provide the journalists proper training and safety equipment before sending them in conflict zones as Pakistan has become a dangerous place for news reporting, especially after mushroom growth of electronic media in Pakistan.
The panel of journalists was invited by European Union on Friday for understanding and formulation of future course of action regarding safety and security of the media in Pakistan. The panel comprised Mazhar Abbas, Zahid Hussain, Haroon Rashid and Ahmed Rashid. Diplomats from EU member countries also attended the discussion. In his address of welcome, Head of the EU delegation to Pakistan, Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, said that safety and protection of journalists is a universal concern, and assured the media persons that "Your enemy is our enemy".
He said that freedom of expression is one of the core values of the EU. It is also an essential commitment undertaken by all parties, including Pakistan as per different international conventions. TV anchor Mazhar Abbas said that 78 journalists lost their lives during performance of their duties all over Pakistan in the last seven years. Different parts of the country had different types of threats for journalists, he added. He suggested that the media houses should make arrangements for their proper training, and provide insurance to them.
Zahid said even before 9/11 the life of journalist was equally in danger in Pakistan and news reporting was not an easy job. He recalledthat the Zia regime was the darkest era for the media of Pakistan. Haroon said that no story was better than one's life. Society must reflect tolerance towards media. He said the government must focus on the safety of journalists. In the past, he said, not even a single killer of media person was apprehended by the law enforcement agencies. Ahmed Rashid said that at present the element of authenticity and objectivity was disappearing from news items because of lack of understanding of the subject. It could only be improved through standard media institutes. A question-answer session was also held.