Threats to women journalists

 

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari assured the women journalists of his support in the face of threats and summoned the representatives of ISPR and the Ministry of Information to the standing committee.

A meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights was held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, which was also attended by women journalists and Human Rights Minister Shirin Mazari.

The Human Rights Committee considered the issue of threats against women journalists.

It may be recalled that a few days ago, women journalists in a joint statement had demanded protection from online attacks carried out by 'people affiliated with the government'.

Authorities opposed the protest with all available police forces, special services and the army, "he said.

Bilawal Bhutto said that we want freedom of press, such measures against women are also against our culture.

Leading journalist and anchor Asma Shirazi, while briefing the committee, said that when working women leave home, they face many difficulties.

He said that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had been interviewed in London but the interview was not conducted on which a campaign was launched against him.

Asma Shirazi said that it was I who interviewed Maryam Nawaz and that interview did not work then the campaign against me started.

"I will not blame the PTI for all the abusive campaigns against us. Women are being deliberately isolated from other sections of society," she said.

In his briefing, he said that if one tweets, one cannot describe the comments that come under it.

On this occasion, Federal Minister Shirin Mazari said that I myself have been a victim of this situation and I have raised this issue with the social media team.

He suggested that the social media team had expressed dissatisfaction with the matter, so the matter should be referred to the cyber crime wing.

The federal minister said that trolling was also carried out against the first lady. Mohammad Sarfraz himself had made such tweets.

"We strongly condemn such trolling against women. Provide the accounts you know of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)," she told reporters.

The human rights minister also demanded details of the accounts of those who threatened women journalists and said that we ourselves have been victims of such trolling.

He said that my daughter and I have gone through this experience myself. When Khawaja Asif described the truck about me, my cartoons were also made.

"My husband tells me who told you to do politics and now endure the abuse," Mazari said.

Bilawal Bhutto summoned representatives of ISPR and Federal Ministry of Information on the issue of threats against women journalists.

He said that he would request the representatives of ISPR and the Ministry of Information on the matter.

The chairman of the Standing Committee on Human Rights assured the women journalists that if they could not bring justice through this platform, then the PPP is with them to go to court.

On August 12, a group of women journalists and analysts called for protection from online attacks, claiming that they had been targeted on social media by alleged supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. Insulting attacks are being carried out.

In a joint statement, 16 women journalists and analysts from various news organizations said that "online attacks have made it extremely difficult to work in the journalism industry."

"Women who are harassed online have different views or perspectives that also criticize the PTI government," the statement said.

"These women have been very critical of government policies to deal with the Corona virus epidemic," she said.

The women journalists and analysts who signed the joint document included Mahmal Sarfraz, Benazir Shah, Asma Shirazi, Reema Omar and Maneza Jahangir.

The statement said that "photos and videos of women journalists and analysts were disseminated in a distorted manner as part of a well-organized campaign.

He said online attackers also ridiculed him on the basis of gender and threatened physical or sexual violence.

The women journalists said that "attempts were made to hack the social media accounts of reporters and analysts and restrict their access to information".

"Women in the media are having a hard time living on social media platforms and speaking freely, while many are being forced to self-censor.