HYDERABAD: “Continuous struggle, hard work, dedication, complete awareness of labour laws, and ground realities are some of the prerequisites to become a responsible journalist.
“Moreover, by familiarizing ourselves with labour laws, we can learn about our rights and responsibilities and can wage a legal fight if any such laws are violated.”
These views were expressed by senior journalist Sheher Bano, Central Vice President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) while addressing a workshop of freelance journalists’ training session held here at Hyderabad Press Club, on Wednesday (25th of Jan 2023).
Organised by PFUJ, under Promoting Labour Rights, Gender Equality and Freedom of Association in Pakistan’s Media with the collaboration of IFJ and National Endowment Fund for Democracy (NED), the theme of the workshop was Freedom of expression, gender equality and awareness of labour laws.
Sheher Bano said that due to ignorance of labour laws, we fail to get our rights. She said women in Media faced various kinds of harassment at workplace and there were laws through which they could protect themselves awareness of which could make them stronger.
“Journalists can approach ITNE, Labor Courts, NIRC to get their rights, but before that they need to have an idea about how to approach these platforms,” she added.
Senior journalist and trainer Fizzah Shakil said in her session on labor laws and freedom of expression that there were various laws to protect basic human rights as well as workers’ rights in the statue books of Pakistan.
“But there are also some limits and restrictions for people to maintain harmony in the society,” she noted.
“Along with these rights, we also have to think about our responsibilities towards society,” she added.
“We can secure our jobs and get ample facilities under the laws which were passed by federal and provincial governments, but at the same time, we should know the platforms where we can get these rights”.
Saeed Jan Baloch, President of PFUJ Sindh Chapter, held: “Forming a union in any Media organisation, is a very difficult process despite the fact that the Constitution of Pakistan gives every citizen of Pakistan the right to association.
“Workers also have the right to association and form a union under the labour laws, but due to lack of awareness, all these laws have remained limited to the papers only and implementation remains a question mark.”
PFUJ leader Shahid Ghazali advised freelance journalists to get familiarized with various labour laws which secure their rights at work, but first of all, they should emphasize on responsible reporting while adhering to journalistic principles.
“It is extremely important as this profession demands high degree of responsibility towards society and people,” he added.
Senior journalist Hasan Ali encouraged young freelance journalists who want to join active journalism to be serious towards their studies.
“Continuous hard work and dedication are the key to success in this field,” he maintained.
President of Hyderabad Union of Journalists, Aftab Memon, Secretary Sindh Chapter, Hamid Sheikh and PFUJ Vice President Junaid Khanzada also spoke on the occasion.
President of Hyderabad Press Club, Hameed-ur-Rehman thanked the leadership for organizing the workshop.
Young freelance journalists, vloggers, youtubers who participated in the training session, demanded more such workshops in the future.
They lamented that their universities have failed to give them such training, which are extremely mandatory for them before they enter the field as a career journalist.
Newspakistan.tv
