ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman Tuesday said safety of journalists working in the conflict zones was a priority issue for government and it wanted to address it immediately. Talking to the media about government’s plans for ensuring media freedom and protection here, the Minister said she has directed her Ministry to organize a series of workshops for journalists to provide them training and knowledge resources on safety and security, while performing their duties in conflict zones.

She said the first workshop will be held in the second week of March and added these workshops facilitated by the government will be an important step towards our objective of ensuring media’s protection in the line of duty.

“Pakistan cannot afford further loss of precious lives of courageous journalists such as Mosa Khankhel. We are working on a two-pronged strategy as we are working for the establishment of a journalists’ victim fund while also focusing on adoption of preventive and precautionary measures as well as provision of necessary safety equipment,” said Ms. Rehman.

The Minister said the government had also requested the European Union, media representative bodies and international safety institutes to help the Information Ministry with training resources and content for the planned workshops.

These workshops will be free of charge and all media groups will be asked to send their nominations for registration and participation, Sherry Rehman added.

Calling upon all journalists to avail the opportunity for training on reporting from conflict zones, Ms. Sherry Rehman said, “we do not want to limit ourselves to only announcing compensation, condemnation and offering our condolences for victims’ families.

She said the democratic government wants to take concrete and effective steps that are useful for journalists on duty and which they can adopt for their own security and safety.