Daily Times
PESHAWAR: The press freedom organisation RSF (Reporters Without Borders) announced on Friday an emergency fund of 5,000 Euros to help the Swat valley journalists who have been forced to flee the area because of the ongoing military operation.
“Unable to work, these journalists must now concentrate on finding shelter and food for their loved-ones. RWB has sent 5,000 euros in emergency aid which would be distributed by the Khyber Union of Journalists to meet the basic needs of housing, food and medical care of the journalists and their children,” RWB said in a press statement issued in Paris. More than 30 journalists and their families have had to seek refuge in Peshawar and other cities since the army launched its offensive against the Taliban in the Swat valley. The valley’s newspapers stopped printing publications and most of the journalists were without any means of support now. “Like hundreds of thousands of their fellow citizens, the journalists and their families have had to flee the extreme violence in the Swat region,” it said. “The humanitarian crisis is likely to persist, so these funds must be seen as just a first step paving the way for massive support for the journalists, whose flight has left the Swat valley without media coverage,” the Paris-based organization said.
“We appeal to the international news media, journalists’ unions and organisations that defend the press to mobilise resources to help their Swat valley colleagues.” Khyber Union of Journalists President Mohammad Riaz had issued an appeal on behalf of the Swat valley’s journalists. No security measures had been taken yet to enable the media to resume operating in the valley.
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