The Centre for Peace and Development Initiative (CPDI) held an advocacy meeting with Mr. Rajvir Singh Sodha, former MPA and current Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Sindh on Human Rights, to address growing concerns for media safety in the province. The CPDI team detailed the pressing challenges faced by women journalists and other media professionals in Sindh and called for concrete steps to protect their working environment.
Participants reached a unanimous consensus that journalists rights are human rights, underlining the need for urgent recognition and protection of these freedoms across provincial institutions. The meeting stressed that ensuring journalists rights is essential to maintaining a free and safe media landscape in Sindh.
Strong emphasis was placed on the immediate and full implementation of the Sindh Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners Act, 2021, with calls for the provincial government to act decisively to make the law effective on the ground. Attendees argued that enforcing the Act would promote a safer and more enabling environment for media practitioners, particularly women reporters who face unique risks and barriers.
The discussion took place under the EU supported project Strengthening Media Persons Capacity and Engagement for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, jointly implemented by CPDI and IL, and highlighted the importance of collaboration between civil society and government to uphold media safety and fundamental freedoms in Sindh.
