Khyber: “The lack of access to information and official verification of news reports is a major obstacle to its professional responsibilities,” Khyber reporter said on Sunday.
Speaking on World News Day and International Visit Day for International Common Information, the Brotherhood of Journalists said that most government departments and agencies did not work with them to determine the official version of the facts of their performance.
They said the so-called “official sources” did not provide verified information but were constantly involved in the exploitation of tribal journalists.
Bara’s senior journalist Khadim Khan Afridi said that despite the fact that access to information is a basic human right, despite the province’s information department, providing tribal journalists with very limited and incomplete information when approached was rejected.
He said that in the current information technology and social media environment, fake news quickly shared and spread for a very limited period of time, and fact stories rejected the mainstream media space due to the crazy competition of “breaking news.”
He said in most cases, local journalists were denied permission to allow official functions or rituals.
Aman Ali, president of the Landi Kotal Regional Press Club, said that access to official information is limited, and so-called tribal customs and traditions have also prevented them from digging out stories that conflict with these traditions.
He lamented that the poor salary structure of tribal journalists is also the reason that affects their professionals.
He said the lack of necessary facilities and the lack of fully equipped press clubs were also the main factors in their failure to cope with the actual requirements of the journalism industry. “We are still working in a building of interest, without formal help,” he lamented.
Another journalist, Khoyal Mat Shah Afridi, said the district administration, police department and other law enforcement agencies did not cooperate to provide the required information on time.
He said government departments and regional administrations have not yet received the services of a competent and qualified focus person who can handle media matters professionally.
Posted in Dawn on September 29, 2025
