Today 25 December is the birth anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah - I have collected those incidents and events when Jinnah took bold step for the freedom of press in United India and later on in Pakistan. “A free press means a free nation “was the slogan of Jinnah during the struggle for freedom.
Among the several English friends of India and its movement for freedom, editor of Bombay Chronicle Mr. Horniman stands apart as a brilliant star of a special fighting spirit. He was a good friend of Jinnah and both worked together in Bombay Chronicle . Mr Horniman's weapon was a pen and his field was journalism. His target was nothing else, but the British administration in India, and his goal was the freedom of India from the British yoke. When he was arrested Jinnah sent a telegram to London and condemned his detention. Journalism, during his days, was not a paying proposition, and not at all a comfortable career, but nothing deterred this Briton in using his journalistic skills and passion for the cause of India’s political freedom. There are many example when Jinnah advocated for the release of journalists.
It is the responsibilities of the policy makers and rulers of Pakistan to abide the guidelines of Jinnah for the development of a conducive environment for the freedom of press .This will be an adequate way to pay tributes to the legendary leader on his Birth anniversary.
