Saturday, January 08, 2011

PFUJ condemns attack on journalist

Published: October 14, 2008

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ISLAMABAD (APP) - Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists has strongly condemned bullet injuries cause to the young reporter and cameraman of private TV channel, in Karachi on Sunday, while covering a firing incident.

Secretary General Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Mazhar Abbas in a statement issued here also appealed to the media organizations to arrange safety training courses for their staff working in conflict zones.

Private TV channel cameraman Farhan Somroo, who sustained two bullets wounds in his stomach and his condition is stated critical while reporter Osma Chaudhry is out of danger. Both went to cover the entry test of students at Swedish Technical College, and became victim during the firing of two rival student factions.

The PFUJ Secretary General said, “Karachi is one of the conflict areas and media organizations know that. Its very important that journalists working there must be fully trained to cover violence.”

Quoting last year’s incident, the Secretary General PFUJ said one cameraman Arif Khan lost his life in the city while covering the rally of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

He said its very unfortunate that most of the media organizations, print as well as electronic, are not addressing these issues seriously which have resulted in the killing and injuries of journalists, it said.