Security issues Affecting Performance of Journalists: A Case Study of Southern Districts-Based Journalists of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Security issues of Journalists

Abstract

This research identifies the security problems faced by journalists of the Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, besides ascertaining their possible effects on the performance of journalists in the region. While carrying out their professional activities, journalists are exposed to threats from different groups. This study reveals that 81 percent of the respondents strongly agree and 13 percent agree that the journalists receive threats from various quarters. The study also shows that journalists do not feel secure in their respective areas and feelings of insecurity affect their professional work. The study also shows that 56 percent of the respondents strongly agree and 25 percent agree that they are feeling insecure in their area when they are going out to fulfill their professional activities, which stops them from objective journalism. The study also shows that there are no arrangements on the part of media organizations and the government to impart safety training to the journalists and they are completely helpless in the face of all kinds of threats in the field. Keeping in view the security situation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it is essential to provide security training to the working journalists so that they may manage to cope with the situation of emergency in a better way. Journalists highlight the problems of common people and when they do not feel secure in their area then it would not be possible for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities in an effective way