Despite fear, Balochistan journalists pushed boundaries

By: Abdul Shakoor Khan

“If you don’t have courage to go against all odds, stay home, leave journalism and do some other work of less risk. Yes, Journalists in Balochistan face numerous challenges including life threats while doing public interests stories,” said the young journalist Akbar Notezai working for leading national English Daily.

Fear of being the next soft target of the elements, you are going against always remains. However, unless you don’t cross the red line and push the boundaries you are not audacious enough to make justice to your stories, he remarked.

Akbar Notezai is one of the journalists whose story has been included by Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) in the list of top investigative stories of the year 2023.  The story features “Private Jails of the influential leaders in Balochistan”

Despite numerous challenges in the volatile province of the country, he said, “I have been lucky enough that I did not receive any life threat as received to many my other colleagues,”

The dynamics and unique geographical position of Balochistan province have made it battle field making no room for the journalists to cover the issues freely.

Challenges the journalists face include fear from miscreants, self-censorship, and pressure from powerful individuals or organizations that

Somehow compromise their independence and integrity. Pressures from various sources, often lead to biased reporting.

In such situation, rare often risk their lives to report on sensitive issues such as human rights abuses, political unrest, and the scourge of corruption.

Additionally, limited access to resources and infrastructure, coupled with inadequate protection measures, further compound the difficulties they encounter in fulfilling their duties.

Mohammad Kazim Mengal, the representative of the BBC, who has penned hundreds of stories on number of public interest and sensitive issues, was yet displeased with the trend of Journalism.

“It is the compromised journalism that we are doing. The unreal journalism has not only increased the plight of an ordinary man but also caused loss of the journalist prestige,” Mr Kazim deplored.

With loss of their prestige, journalists have to face pressure and abhorrence from the society.

When you can not report the reality, don’t highlight the ills, than it is the society that suffers, he further deplored.

President of Balochistan Union of Journalists, Khalil Ahmed said, referred to reporting in the province as so-called journalism.

As many as 41 journalists lost their lives in line with their duties in Balochistan and nobody now dares to put his life at risk, he stressed.

The Balochistan province, in terms of free journalism, is the worst one in the region as there is zero tolerance on certain issues of public interests.

“Despite the challenges, there are some positive indicators for journalists working in Balochistan. These include the resilience and dedication of few local journalists who continue to report on important issues despite the risks involved,” Spokesman Balochistan government Shahid Rind said.

Furthermore, advancements in technology have enabled journalists to disseminate information more effectively, allowing them to reach wider audiences and amplify their voices.

The provincial government, Mr Shahid said under the leadership of CM Balochisan Sarfaraz Bugti is committed to ensure journalists are free to report.

However, stressed the need for highlighting the issues faced by an ordinary man and marginalized segment of the society.

Undoubtedly, the lack of adequate protection for journalists and limited access to resources can further undermine their ability to report freely and objectively.

However, the light at the end of the tunnel is that despite these challenges, many journalists in Balochistan continue to work tirelessly to uphold the principles of journalism and bring important stories to light.