We Are Not Free—The Future of the Media in Pakistan

The independent Pakistani media have played a key role in reporting and resisting the ongoing crackdown against civil society in Pakistan—and in so doing, have become targets of the crackdown themselves. With key journalists gagged, others beaten and arrested, independent broadcasters banned from the airwaves, and censorship under the guise of a new "code of conduct," press freedom is under attack.

The OSI Middle East & North Africa Initiative presented Kiran Khalid's documentary short on media freedom in Pakistan, We Are Not Free, updated with new interviews since the imposition of martial law on November 3. The screening was followed by a panel discussion on press freedom and the current crisis in Pakistan featuring:

• Kiran Khalid, independent broadcast journalist and creator of the documentary We Are Not Free;
• Sami Abrahim, Senior Correspondent and Producer of Geo TV;
• Bob Dietz, Asia Program Coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists
• Ahmed Rashid (by videoconference  from Washington, DC), Pakistani journalist and commentator based in Lahore.

Anthony Richter, Director of Middle East Initiatives & Associate Director of OSI, introduced the event.