| GEO Pakistan | | World Press Freedom Day today | Updated at: 0125 PST, Monday, May 03, 2010
ISLAMABAD: People across the globe, including Pakistan will observe `World Press Freedom Day' on May 3 (today) to highlight extraordinary contributions of journalist community and raise awareness about the importance of press freedom.
The day is an opportunity to highlight the fundamental principles of press freedom, defend media from attacks on their independence and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed World Press Freedom Day in 1993, following a recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991.
Seven journalists have been killed and 87 injured in over 150 attacks on media in the country over the past 12 months, reveals an annual report chronicling the violations against national media.
According to the report, released here on Sunday by Intermedia, a Pakistani media development organization focused on policy, advocacy, training and research on media issues, to mark the International Press Freedom Day on May 3, seven journalists were killed in the country between May 3, 2009 to May 3, 2010, including two journalists from Balochistan, one each from federal capital, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and an Afghan journalist in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
In the period under review, 87 journalists were assaulted and injured, including 53 in Punjab, 12 in Islamabad, 11 in Sindh, five in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, three in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, two in Balochistan and one in FATA.
At least 13 journalists were reported missing, abducted or arrested in the same period, including three each in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA, two each in Islamabad, Punjab and Sindh and one in Balochistan.
The report also documented at least 17 cases of intimidation and threats to journalists or media organizations, including nine in Punjab, four in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, three in federal capital and one in Sindh.
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