On September 10,1995, Mushtaq Ali an young ANI Photo
Journalist from Kashmir, arrived as usual to perform his professional duties in
Srinagar BBC Office. He opened a book parcel without knowing that it contained a
bomb. Bomb exploded and within few minutes he got succumbed to the grievous wounds
that he got from bomb blast. Later on investigations found that, the target of
the bomb attack was another famed Reuters reporter Yusuf Jameel( who also got suffered
severe injuries).It was also alleged that "renegade" militant brought
the bomb disguised as a book to his office. This is glaring example to know
that how Conflict Journalist’s life travels in a very dangerous path.
For Journalists operating in the conflict torn regions, life is not just about scoops, interviews, deadlines and page one
stories. While reporting from strife torn regions, the journalists
especially photo journalists life always hangs between life and death. Journalists
often face death threats from both government forces as well as rebels. This is
literally a life surviving between “Devil and Deep blue Sea”. Journalists
operating in conflict regions have always sword hanging over their head. They
failed to keep the warring sides happy. If an atrocity by Government forces is reported,
he may be dubbed as "anti- national" and highlighting the misdeeds of
militants or extra-political activities of separatists would mean that he is anti-movement.
Nowadays South Asia is a dangerous region engulfed by lot of
violence. In last few decades, almost every nation in south Asia including
Afghanistan,Pakistan,India,Srilanka suffered enormous loss of lives due to
conflicts surrounded in their region. Report
released by South Asia Media Commission says that the 22 Journalists are
killed in 2013 in South Asia, with Pakistan topping the tally. India and
Pakistan also got the dubious distinction of being among the world’s five
deadliest countries for the media in 2013.In this article I want to give
tribute to two brave south asian journalists who showed what “Fearless Journalism” means is.
Saleem Shahzad
In 1970’s,To hunt down the growing soviet union influence in
south Asia, U.S and its allies(Pakistan,China) groomed the “Frankenstein Monster”.
For the evil they groomed, the Pakistan is still at the receiving end and
Journalists currently operating in the country also at perilous environment. In
recent years, Saleem Shahzad, is one of the famed journalist who lost his life while
uncovering the links between Islamist militants and the armed forces, a
connection that Pakistan’s generals have denied for years.
Within few days after the above article got published in Asia
Times , Saleem shahzad was summoned by ISI to explain the article which ISI
felt it may tarnish its own image and country. Fearing for the wrath of ISI, Saleem
shahzad wrote to HRW for his own security,. Eventually from 29th May
2011 evening, Shahzad got disappeared. Two days after then, his body was found
floating in the canal. Pakistan media strongly condemned his killing and
demanded a probe in the dubious role of ISI in his killing. Bowing to Pakistan media
protests, Pakistan PM ordered a probe to investigate the circumstances that
lead to shahzad murder. But the probe commission report was disappointing with
commission putting blame on non-state actors like Al-Queda,Taliban without
mentioning any single individual or organization, leaving the culprits to roam
freely in open space. Asia Times also wrote an article on “Who Killed Saleem
Shahzad” later his murder.
Lasantha Wickrematunga
Another important journalist who got killed during 2009
Srilankan War on LTTE was “Lasantha Wickrematunga”. Though by birth as Sinhala,
Lasantha uncovered many truths related to human rights violations by srilankan
forces on Tamil civilians during srilankan civil war. He wrote columns in his
newspaper “The Sunday Leader” boldly criticizing both government forces as well
as Tamil Tigers for country’s instability. For that he got assassination
attempts from both groups. lasantha’s heavy criticism on Rajapaksa during 2008
for his ruthless war strategy, earned him nickname of “Terrorist Journalist”
from Rajapaksa. Lasantha Wickrematunga was allegedly killed by Government
forces on 8 January 2009. Weeks before his death, his a funeral wreath was
delivered to him, along with copy of the newspaper reading "If you write
you will be killed" in red paint.Sensing his death plot, Lasantha Wickrematunga
wrote editorial "When finally I am killed, it will be the government that kills me." before his death, which was published posthumously.
Off course Pen is mightier than a sword, but in a conflict journalist’s
life it is more dangerous, playing with their own life. Unless peace prevails everywhere
in the earth, conflict journalist’s role and recognition is not of much
significance.
