Press freedom around the world

Air Date: November 21, 2011

Hour 2

Seven Pakistani journalists have been murdered so far in 2011, putting the volatile nation at the heart of so much geopolitical tension on pace to repeat its place at the top of the list of the world’s deadliest countries for journalists. On today’s Radio Times, we look at the danger confronting reporters around the world who push past fear to bring their audience news those in power don’t want discussed. Joining us is JOEL SIMON, executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, the New York-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting journalists worldwide. The CPJ is honoring four such heroic journalists tomorrow night at its 2011 International Press Freedom Awards, and one of the honorees, UMAR CHEEMA, joins us as well. A reporter with the Pakistani daily The News, has continued to cover politics, national security, and corruption after his abduction and torture in September 2010. Cheema spoke out about his kidnapping immediately after being released and has been subjected to harassment and threats ever since. As with almost all of the hundreds of cases of journalists threatened, abducted, and killed in Pakistan, Cheema’s case remains unprosecuted and unsolved.

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