The United States condemns the vicious attack on television journalist Hamid Mir in Karachi today, the latest in a series of worrisome attacks on journalists in Pakistan. Freedom of the press, including ensuring that journalists can safely carry out their vital mission, is of paramount importance to freedom of expression and to the healthy functioning of any democracy. As Ambassador Olson powerfully said just recently, attacks like these should be a wake-up call to all who value democracy in Pakistan. We wish Hamid Mir a speedy recovery, and urge the Government of Pakistan to bring all those responsible for these attacks on the media to justice.