The suicide bomb attack on the Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday has grave implications for the media and its role in fighting militancy. A number of journalists have come under attack while as many as 15 lost their lives in the last year and many more have received death threats. The individuals have been targeted not only by militants but also by the security agencies for their independent reporting. Those who fear disclosures of their wrongdoings, never love the media. As the state fails (sometimes deliberately) to protect journalists, they end up putting their lives on the line. The attack on the Peshawar Press Club is a chilling message from militants to all members of the media, regardless of their bent of views or political orientation or the channels and newspapers they work for. This is the first time such an attack has taken place. It appears the militants are now desperate and realise that they are perhaps losing support of even those sections in the media that had at times been accused of boosting Taliban efforts to propagate extremism. It is time the government tightened security for journalists and their institutions. We should salute the police force that is playing a heroic role in defending citizens from terror attacks. Many in the police have died in the line of duty. In spite of their inadequate training, insufficient equipment and facilities and poor monetary compensation, the police continue to perform their duty as best as they can. The security measures for the safety of journalists announced by Interior Minister Rahman Malik are merely an eyewash as the 100 bullet-proof jackets given to the National Press Club Islamabad will make no difference in the prevailing situation. -MUHAMMAD ARSHAD NADEEM, Islamabad, December 25