Friday, July 10, 2009

VOA condemns destruction of reporter's home

PESHAWAR: The Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Voice of America (VOA) has condemned the senseless attack on the home of VOA's Deewa Radio journalist Rahman Bunairee in Buner on July 8.

"The attack unnecessarily endangered Bunairee's innocent family, and caused them great loss," said VOA Director Danforth Austin in a press release. "Bunairee is a brave journalist who, like other VOA stringers, is committed to carrying out VOA's mission to provide independent news and information to Pakistan and the rest of the world," he added.

Bunairee's house in Buner was blown up in an explosion after masked men entered the structure and ordered his family to leave. The attackers destroyed a computer, boxes and valuables before blowing up and burning down the house.

"Three generations of the Bunairee family are without a home because violent forces in Pakistan are threatened by the truth," said Steven J. Simmons of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees the US international broadcasting including the Voice of America. "We will continue to report the news, accurately and independently, for as long as press freedom is threatened in Pakistan and elsewhere." Rahman Bunairee is based in Karachi.

No comments: