Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) is the countrywide organization of the working journalists of Pakistan. This body came into existence in 1955 and in 1971, with the breakdown of the country it was also divided. The organization has a long history of struggle against dictators and gave sacrifices for freedom of thought, speech and expression. According to mass media historians in the country, “Members of this organization have not only worked against the military rule in the country but are also struggling against the tyranny of the newspaper owners - most of whom have always compromised with the corrupt successive governments.” This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Dictatorship. ... Freedom of thought (also called freedom of conscience) is the freedom of an individual to hold a viewpoint, or thought, regardless of anyone elses view. ... A public demonstration Freedom of speech is often regarded as an integral concept in modern liberal democracies, where it is understood to outlaw censorship. ... Freedom of speech is the right to freely say what one pleases, as well as the related right to hear what others have stated. ... Mass media is a term used to denote, as a class, that section of the media specifically conceived and designed to reach a very large audience (typically at least as large as the whole population of a nation state). ... A tyrant (from Greek τυραννος) is a usurper of rightful power, possessing absolute power and ruling by tyranny. ...

PFUJ History

a. What is PFUJ?

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) is a trade union of working journalists of Pakistan. Throughout its 53 years, PFUJ remained committed to the journalists’ community. PFUJ always raise their voice against anti-press laws, attack on newsmen, ban on newspaper and magazines during military dictators, civilians’ and whenever government tried to ‘tame’ the journalists’ community. Although PFUJ suffers a lot in history, attempts made to divide this successful working body of journalists not only by military but by other governments also, somehow they were successful dividing this federation into part or two still both organizations are working for the benefits of journalists at their own.

b.Idea Behind PFUJ:

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) is the only representative body of journalists. After independence when our country was in the progress of developing, some senior journalists came up with an idea to made a union that works for their rights, a platform where journalists can come and meet and helping them to communicate with newspaper organizers at a union level. Keeping all these ideas behind those pioneer leaders gathered to work for the foundation of PFUJ. Although it wasn’t named PFUJ when it was formed, working with different name but with same intentions it was comprised of both Pakistan journalists.

c.How PFUJ came into being?

PFUJ has long history of struggle for freedom of Press and to protect the economic rights of journalists. This body came into existence in August, 2,1950 and in 1971 with the breakdown of the country it was also divided. PFUJ was working with name of Sindh Union of Journalists in Sindh region and with different names on other names on different regions then some journalists came up with an idea to make a federation on national level to save the rights of journalist then they combine all the journalists of whole eat and west Pakistan and made a united federation called “Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists.” The organization has a long history of struggle against dictators and gave sacrifices for freedom of thought, speech and expression. According to mass media historians in the country members of this organization have not only worked against the military rule in the country but is also struggling against the tyranny of the newspaper owners-- most of whom have always compromised with the corrupt successive governments.

d.Structure of PFUJ:

The structure of PFUJ consists of seven office bearers and nine members of executive council, The President, two Vice Presidents, Secretary General, two Assistant Secretary Generals, one Treasurer. PFUJ has long history of struggle. It is in fact a movement whose annals are replete with memorable battles both in the field of earning a honorable living wages and waging a relentless crusade for the noble cause of freedom of the press and expressions. PFUJ is a Federation, which consists of nine districts unions called UJ’s. The District Unions collect Membership Fee from the members monthly half of this fee goes to Federation (PFUJ). Number of members of PFUJ are about five thousands. Our federation has short and long-term plan, we take care of our members at the level of District, and has long term strategy, which struggle for freedom of press and better economic condition. The best methods are direct contact with the workers by holding the General Body Meetings and bring out the Rallies.

e.Aims and Objectives of PFUJ:

It’s the countrywide organization of the working journalists of Pakistan and serving as a platform where journalists come and they struggle for their rights together. The main aims and objectives of PFUJ are as follows: 1. To protect and fight for the rights of journalist community in Pakistan. 2. To stride for freedom of speech and freedom of expression. 3. To hold journalistic seminars, workshops and training courses to improve journalist skills and professionalism.

2.Purpose and Functions of PFUJ:

a.Purpose of this Union:

PFUJ was formed on the purpose of Freedom of expression, and giving due rights to all journalists. The purpose behind this union was to raise journalist’s excellence, increasing pay scale, and freedom of press and expressions. Although its been long time, but this union is still struggling for their purposes to be achieved. Many governments came and gone but journalists were never given their rights rather they were jailed or flogged. Attempts made against newspapers to shut them or to crush their voice but PFUJ never introverted against his purpose.

b.Function and Medium of Struggle:

PFUJ is running according to their constitution and code of conduct. Their medium of struggle is, general meetings, demonstrations, processions and campaigning through Pamphlets, Posters and conduct rallies. In this regards Office bearers and senior members meet the concerned persons and Govt. Officials. For the mobilization of the workers they hold meetings where they conduct dialogues with the offices of the newspapers and explained the case and give them reasons. Hold the General Body Meeting of the District Unions. After every three months a meeting of FEC of the PFUJ is held to chalk out the program and to set eyes on the running conditions of Union.

3. History:

a. Foundation of PFUJ:

PFUJ was formed just after independence but there was not any specific name of the organization. The organization was working in both East and West Pakistan with different names and same purpose on 1950 a foundation of an organization was formed by senior journalists of that time to save the rights of journalists and to make a platform of journalists where they can come and ask for their rights and to raise their voice. It was not only formed to save the rights of journalists but it was the voice for the struggle for free press. They started their federation without any influence of political or governmental party, their fore-fathers include: M.A Shakur(first reporter of Dawn), Ahmed Ali Khan, Hamid Zuberi, M.A Zuberi, Ishtiaq Azhar(ex-editor of Dawn) , Asrar Ahmed , Safdar.

a.A Movement called PFUJ: PFUJ was working with name of Sindh Union of Journalists in Sindh region and with different names on other names on different regions then some journalists came up with an idea to make a federation on national level to save the rights of journalist then they combine all the journalists of whole eat and west Pakistan and made a united federation called “Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists.”

Affiliate Unions:

a.Karachi Union of Journalists: b. Khyber Union of Journalists c. The Punjab Union of Journalists d. Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists