PESHAWAR: Freedom Network (FN), a national media and development sector watchdog, yesterday appealed to the federal and provincial governments and military authorities to extend all possible assistance and help to over 30 journalists from North Waziristan who have been displaced from their homes in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) in the wake of the military operation against local and foreign militants.
“We are worried for the safety and well being of these journalists and call upon the civilian and military authorities to help mitigate the sufferings of these tribal journalists,” FN said.
The federal government has announced special relief packages for the nearly half a million internally displaced persons who had to leave North Waziristan Agency to avoid casualties. No such relief has been announced for the journalists.
The FN said all journalists — 32 registered members of North Waziristan Agency chapter of Tribal Union of Journalists — left the tribal agency along the border with Afghanistan after authorities ‘advised’ them to leave as their security “is not guaranteed” following the operation announced by the Inter-Services Public Relations.
“Both the civilian and military authorities should announce relief packages for families of these journalists who are still working in Bannu district,” the FN added.
INTERNEWS
