Journalists express concern over media freedom in Balochistan

QUETTA: There is no free and independent media in Balochistan, as different pressure groups and powerful elements have been harassing and terrifying media persons, which have led to the killing of 22 journalists in the last four years. 
This was declared in a workshop on ‘Media and Civil Society in Balochistan’, organised by Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in collaboration with Association for Integrated Development (AID) on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion, senior journalist and CRSS Executive Director Imtiaz Gul said, “Media is facing challenges, constraints and operational difficulties in reporting in Balochistan. It is the duty of all state and non-state actors, and stakeholders, to spare the media from their rivalries and not subject them to fear, intimidation and dictation.”
He appreciated the media for their performance in Balochistan’s difficult environment. He said it was the responsibility of both the media and the civil society to face up to the challenges that the province faced today. Gul also paid tributes to the 22 journalists, who had lost their lives in the province over the past four years. 
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