JournalismPakistan.com | Published May 07, 2022
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ISLAMABAD—Leading international media organizations, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, have urged the Pakistani government to protect the rights of media persons.
Pakistan plunged 12 places in Reporters Without Borders' annual press freedom ranking for 2022. Pakistan was 145th on the 2021 index and fell to 157th on a list of 180 countries in 2022.
"Despite changes in political power, a recurring theme is apparent: political parties in opposition support press freedom but are first to restrict it when in power," the RSF stated.
The RSF also acknowledged that Pakistan's English-language press has "a strong tradition of independence and "serves as a showcase for the two leading media groups, Jang and Dawn".
Similarly, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has ranked Pakistan the fifth most dangerous place for the practice of journalism.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a special news briefing in connection with the Press Freedom Day, also expressed concern about the state of the media in Pakistan.
According to him, "a vibrant free press, and an informed citizenry, is a key for any nation and its future, including Pakistan." However, the "practices we see" in Pakistan "undermines freedom of expression. They undermine peaceful assembly. They undermine Pakistan's image as well as its ability to progress," he stated.
Expressing concern over the state of press freedom, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), in a joint statement issued by President Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary-General Nasir Zaidi, said: "In at least nine cases, journalists were intimidated or silenced altogether, whether in the form of assault, enforced disappearances, murder or overt censorship."
Pakistan remains among the top 10 countries where predators of attacks on journalists and media go unpunished. Reportedly, 138 media persons in the country had lost their lives in the line of duty between 1990 and 2020.
Besides fatal attacks, Pakistani journalists face other kinds of harassment such as online trolling, kidnappings, enforced disappearances, imprisonment, and torture.
From JournalismPakistan archives:
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'No progress on freedom of press in Pakistan'
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.