Islamabad, Nov 16 : Following the recent kidnappings of Japanese and Canadian journalists and threatening phone calls to a local TV journalist, Pakistan Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman has said that journalists’ safety was important for the country’s government.

She assured journalists of government’s support in the face of threats from extremists. 

“The safety and security of journalists is an important priority with the government, as we are committed to a media environment free from a culture of threats and intimidation,” the Daily Times quoted Sherry as saying in a press release.

She added: “We fully respect the media’s right to access information and freedom of movement, as they perform their duty,” she said. “However, in the wake of mounting threats against media persons reporting on the issue of extremism and terrorism, the government has been concentrating on security measures to facilitate a safe environment for the media.” (ANI)