LAHORE, Dec 26: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Friday condemned death threats, harassment and defamation campaign against media professionals, including Ansar Abbasi, Mushtaq Minhas and Nusrat Javed.

Regrettably, despite the claims of political leaders regarding their commitment to the media freedom, a growing number of journalists have faced pressure in recent days.

Silencing independent voices can only add to problems that already exist within the federation, the statement said.

This rapid decline in the security situation for journalists is extremely alarming.

The attacks and other tactics used against media professionals are obviously aimed at preventing information from reaching people, it said.

The government’s failure to hold anyone accountable for these threats and attacks can only contribute to the unleashing of further violence and a still graver threat to the well-being of newspersons across the country.

The HRCP would like to remind all responsible that a threatening attitude towards the media goes against all principles of freedom of expression and freedom of the press.