Media in Pakistan is passing through a critical juncture where security and safety of media and media persons have become a serious question. On the one hand, the media landscape is expanding – with over 70 television channels and over 130 private FM radio stations in existence today, and over 17,000 working journalists. On the other hand, the safety and security of journalists have emerged as major issues during this period. More than 80 journalists have lost their lives during past ten years in the line of their duty. Intimidation, harassment, threats and arrests of journalists have become common phenomena. UNESCO’s latest report termed Pakistan as ‘the second most dangerous country for journalists’ in the world. Besides, impunity for crimes committed against journalists has appeared as a major challenge during this period. 

The absence of an effective legal information regime to ensure transparency and access to information hampers the capacity of journalists’ bodies and groups to effectively monitor the investigation process and get access to information thereon. The situation is also leading to impunity of killings of journalists in the country. Moreover, the journalists at local level have little awareness about the available legal mechanisms to get access to information. 

In view of the above there is a need to launch a comprehensive campaign to bring journalists’ bodies and groups together – through building a coalition – to demand for an effective law on right to information at all levels i.e. federal, provincial and local level as well as build capacity of local journalists to understand the importance of RTI for reporting and impunity of killings of journalists. The presence of such legislation will not only provide access to public information to the journalists but also ensure transparency in investigations of killings of journalists during past ten years. This will ultimately help to bring the culprits of killings of journalists to the justice and reduce the culture of impunity.