A short clip attributed to the Punjab information minister Azma Bukhari, in which she is allegedly threatening journalists, has gone viral on social media. The journalists’ fraternity has strongly condemned this approach, terming it an attempt to silence the media in the province.
Context of the Threat
Journalists were invited by the Punjab government to a press conference scheduled to be addressed by the Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz.
Ahtsham, a broadcast journalist, said that it seems the information minister is unaware of the definition of a press conference. He questioned why journalists would attend press conferences if they are restricted from asking questions. He said the Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, is the top executive authority of the province and is accountable to journalists’ questions.
The Threat to Media Freedom
He said the clip has exposed the state of media freedom in Punjab and how the government is colluding with media owners. He claimed that the majority of media owners are businessmen with little interest in protecting freedom of expression and the rights of the masses.
“I have no choice but to say that people with cheap approaches are holding prestigious positions these days. It is the duty of journalists’ associations to stand up and condemn such threats, which are tantamount to silencing the public voice,” insisted Ahtsham.
He questioned how the public can keep democratic governments on their toes if the media is not allowed to question policymakers.
He termed the provincial minister’s approach condemnable, urging politicians, human rights bodies, and all stakeholders to raise their voices against it.
The Implications of the Threat
He said the clip showed the Punjab information minister Azma Bukhari warning reporters that any disruption during the press conference could spell trouble for them, potentially leading to their termination. This approach reveals the writing on the wall regarding the mindset of dictatorship, which is intolerable.
Explaining his point of view, he said the clip demonstrates a clear attempt to intimidate journalists and stop them from reporting the truth. It’s particularly worrying because the person hurling these threats is the information minister, whose role should ideally involve facilitating press freedom, not suppressing it.
This clip is a glaring example of how freedom of speech in Pakistan is shrinking with every passing day, he added.
The Impact on Journalists
He said most of the journalists prefer to remain silent these days owing to multiple overt and covert threats they face. Besides, he suggested that media associations may have become politicized or compromised.
However, he claimed that this silence is dangerous, which will gradually silence all independent voices.
Ahtsham urged parliamentarians to understand the importance of a free press, which will protect their rights enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan when they are in the opposition benches.
He said a free press is a crucial pillar of democracy. Threatening journalists is not only unethical but also counterproductive to good governance, he added.
Minister Claims Misrepresentation in Viral Clip
When her clip went viral, she took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to explain her position. She said she was simply asking for discipline at the press conference, with folded hands.
She claimed her request had been misrepresented.
The provincial minister said that prominent journalists had also faced issues due to the edited clip(s).
