Pakistan: A climate of fear and self-censorship in the Swat valley
Source:
Reporters without Borders The fear imposed by the Taliban means that women’s rights and abuses committed by Maulana Fazlullah’s followers are being covered less and less by the local press.
Maulana Sufi Muhammad, the founder of the Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariah Muhammadi (Movement for the Enforcement of the Prophet Muhammad’s Sharia - TNSM), told Reporters Without Borders that he believed in press freedom. He nonetheless also claimed that the Sharia forbids discussing past events, including the actions of Taliban activists.
The Taliban are imposing their law in the
region, forbidding women to go out unaccompanied
and unveiled, and have destroyed more
than 100 schools for girls. They also forbid any
criticism of Islam and punish those who listen
to music or sell DVDs.
The 16 February accord allowing Islamic courts and enforcement of the Sharia in the Swat valley in return for an end to fighting by the militants has restored a semblance of stability but has already had a negative impact on press freedom. “Independent journalism is going to be more and more difficult,” a TV reporter said. “Who is going to protect me from the Taliban militants operating openly in the towns and villages? We are no longer going to be able to do independent reporting on the activities of the Taliban.”
The media have been badly scarred by the two years of fighting, in which journalists have been caught in the crossfire between the army and the Taliban. Both sides have prevented the press from talking about the atrocities that have been committed in the name of enforcement of the Sharia or the fight against terrorism. Sharia against press freedom?
Local journalists have been voicing concern for their freedom and safety since last month’s pact. While most of them welcome the end of the fighting, they are aware of their vulnerability. “It will be hard for independent journalism to survive under Islamic laws,” said the president of the local press club. “For example, will cases of defamation be tried? The coming period is likely to be much more dangerous for professional journalists.”
The editor of the local newspaper Chand said: “We will have to censor ourselves to survive. Both sides have already warned us to avoid sensationalism in order not to jeopardise the peace accord.”
To read the full report follow this link: http://www.rsf.org/IMG/pdf/Report_Swat_Eng.pdf
