On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising Pakistan’s media representative organisations — Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND), and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) — raised significant concern about the global state of free expression and journalists’ safety.
In a joint statement, the committee highlighted the challenging environment journalists face worldwide, noting increasing restrictions and constraints in both developing and developed countries during the past year.
The JAC noted that in Pakistan, the situation is described as unsatisfactory, with numerous incidents of journalists being murdered, harassed, arrested on falsified charges, and subjected to violence. The statement further elaborated on the increasing pressure from government and state institutions, pointing out tactics like enforcing preferred editorial policies, censorship, and control over media outlets, which create pressure on and significant uncertainty for journalists and media organisations.
The JAC’s statement also shed light on the perilous conditions faced by journalists in conflict zones such as Gaza, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, and Sudan, where media personnel have faced severe threats, attacks, and casualties. Similar pressures have been observed in countries like Russia, India, and Iran, where journalists face censorship and arrests. Even in regions known for championing democracy and free expression, such as Europe and the United States, media freedom is encountering challenges, with countries like Hungary, Poland, and France facing scrutiny over media restrictions.
Global economic pressures have compounded these challenges, as the media industry experiences financial difficulties leading to job insecurity and salary cuts for journalists. Despite these adversities, the JAC reaffirmed its commitment to defending freedom of expression and the public’s right to information, vowing to continue its efforts to promote truth and transparency in society.
Separately, in Quetta, journalists and civil society members gathered at the call of the Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) to protest against restrictive legislation such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). The gathering paid tribute to over 50 journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty, highlighting the high stakes involved in independent journalism in the region.
Similar demonstrations took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where journalists called for the protection of media workers and the withdrawal of controversial amendments to PECA. Participants expressed concerns over the economic pressures and threats faced by journalists, while also criticising recent amendments to Peca as an attack on press freedom.
In Karachi, a seminar jointly organised by the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) adopted a resolution demanding an end to censorship and harassment of journalists. The event emphasised the worsening state of press freedom in Pakistan, calling for urgent measures to protect media workers.
