By Dr. Taimoor ul Hassan
Each year on May 3, the world observes World Press Freedom Day, a day proclaimed by the United Nations in 1993 to celebrate the fundamental importance of a free press. This year, Pakistan marks the day amid grim reminders of the nationwide dangers and challenges facing journalists and news outlets.
In the latest Reporters Without Borders (RSF) press freedom index, Pakistan has plummeted to 158th out of 180 countries, down from 142nd in 2019, reflecting a sharp decline in media freedoms. Growing censorship, political restrictions, and unresolved violence against journalists have combined to make Pakistan one of the most perilous places in the world to practise journalism. As the country observes World Press Freedom Day, media organizations and press freedom advocates are highlighting these struggles, urging reforms, and honouring those who have paid the ultimate price in pursuit of truth.
In recent years, the murder of journalists has been a tragic and recurring theme. According to press freedom monitors, at least 39 Pakistani journalists have been murdered since 1992, and the vast majority of these crimes remain unsolved. The year 2024 alone saw a spike in deadly attacks: at least six journalists were killed with their work, often in connection with exposure of corruption or organized crime. Examples of high-profile cases include the assassination of senior Sindhi correspondent Jan Mohammad Mehr, who was gunned down in Sukkur in August 2023, and the killing of tribal affairs reporter Nasrullah Gadani in Karachi in July 2024. Each killing reverberates across the news community, sowing fear and grief. Press unions and human rights groups point out that impunity is the norm: in Pakistan’s justice system, killers of journalists seldom face trial. Over the past decade, dozens of other journalists and media workers have been abducted, assaulted or threatened. Such violence, and the sense that “if you scream, no one will hear you,” creates a climate of intimidation that stifles critical reporting.
Despite these grave threats, Pakistani journalists and their unions continue to resist. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the country’s largest press federation, founded in 1950, has been at the forefront of the fight for media freedom. In recent months, PFUJ leaders have launched nationwide campaigns to protest state harassment of the press. For example, in mid-April 2025, the PFUJ declared a three-day “Freedom of Press Campaign” across Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, announcing April 15 as a “Black Day” to condemn the arrests of journalists under repressive laws such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). PFUJ officials Afzal Butt and Arshad Ansari called for press clubs to raise black flags and for mass marches from Islamabad to the Azad Kashmir Assembly, demanding an end to government crackdowns on reporters. In statements around World Press Freedom Day, PFUJ representatives reiterated their commitment to an “unconditional” struggle for free expression and the protection of journalists’ rights. The union also collaborates internationally with bodies like the International Federation of Journalists, drawing attention to Pakistan’s media crackdown on global platforms.
To understand today’s challenges, it is important to recall the legacy of censorship under Pakistan’s past military regimes. Successive dictatorships – from Ayub Khan (1958–1969) to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s martial-law transition (late 1960s and mid-1970s), through Zia-ul-Haq (1977–1988) and Pervez Musharraf (1999–2008) – all imposed sweeping restrictions on the press. Under General Zia, for instance, the state enforced strict pre-publication censorship, and dozens of newspapers were banned or blacked out. The notorious Press and Publications Ordinance of 1960 (amended under Zia) was used to punish dissent, detain editors, and shut independent outlets. Some of these repressive laws were rolled back in later years – for example, Benazir Bhutto’s government repealed many Zia-era regulations in 2000 – but the pattern of suppression returned. Musharraf’s 2007 emergency rule saw dozens of private TV channels ordered off air overnight and critical journalists jailed to silence protests. More recently, military influence over civilian governments has continued to curtail media autonomy: indirect censorship through pressuring owners, unofficial blacklists of disfavored journalists, and surveillance of reporters are all part of the modern environment. The result is that even under nominally civilian leadership, the shadow of past martial law lingers over Pakistani newsrooms, where many editors and correspondents still navigate unwritten boundaries on what they can publish.
Beyond outright censorship, the independence of editorial content has steadily weakened in the Pakistani media landscape. In recent years, a small number of powerful media conglomerates and political interests have consolidated ownership of newspapers and TV channels. This concentration of media ownership – often noted by watchdogs – means that the views of government, military, or business elites find privileged expression, while more critical perspectives struggle to reach the public. Economic pressures are also a factor: many outlets operate under tight budgets or face advertising blackouts if they offend influential patrons. This fosters an atmosphere of self-censorship, where editors may avoid certain topics altogether. Furthermore, new regulations and laws have given government agencies legal tools to influence coverage. Authorities routinely threaten to revoke broadcast licenses or impose fines if media organizations “incite disaffection” or “diminish the dignity of people in authority,” as broad provisions in rules like PEMRA’s Code of Conduct can be interpreted. In short, the formal independence of Pakistani media outlets is often undermined by financial and political forces that converge to shape what news gets reported and how.
Yet amidst the darkness, there remains resilience and hope in Pakistani journalism. Experienced veterans and young reporters alike continue to find ways to tell stories that matter. Independent press clubs and citizen media networks have sprung up, and social media platforms give journalists a wider audience beyond traditional news channels. Pakistani media has achieved notable investigative successes – from exposing high-level corruption scandals to documenting human rights abuses – even as the risks rise. Cross-border collaborations, such as the Pakistan-India Editors Guild news exchanges, offer solidarity and alternative channels for information flow. In recent years, international pressure and public protests have won at least partial victories, such as the reversal of certain police tactics against journalists and the release of some imprisoned reporters on court orders. The mere fact that hundreds of reporters joined PFUJ’s protest marches in April, or that news organizations still carry stories critical of the status quo, testifies to the undaunted spirit within the press. Many Pakistani journalists hold fast to the idea that a free and responsible media is essential for democracy and social progress. This determination shines through every time a young reporter files a story from a remote district, or when editors across the country mark May 3 with discussions and rallies.
On World Press Freedom Day, a special message goes out to Pakistan’s youth: You are the future guardians of the truth and the torchbearers of a free press. In this digital age, you have unprecedented access to information and the means to create and share news. Embrace these tools responsibly. Learn to value credible journalism and critical thinking. Support independent media that uphold ethics and professionalism. Even if you choose a profession outside of reporting, remember that press freedom affects all of you because it impacts democracy, accountability, and the fight against corruption. Stand firm against attempts to silence journalists, whether in newsrooms or on social media. Demand transparency from leaders and celebrate courageous reporting when you see it. By taking these steps, you help ensure that Pakistan’s press can grow stronger rather than shrinking in the face of pressure. The sacrifices of fallen journalists can inspire you to seek justice and truth; let their legacy motivate you to build a society where fearless journalism is respected and protected.
Pakistan has faced many challenges in securing press freedoms, but the day-to-day courage of our reporters and editors remains a testament to the enduring value of a free press. As we honor World Press Freedom Day, let us commit anew – politicians, civil society, media professionals, and young citizens alike – to nurturing a media environment where every journalist can speak freely, every newsroom can investigate fearlessly, and the light of truth never dims.
Note: Dr. Taimoor ul Hassan is Professor of Mass Communication, Former Dean, Media Analyst & Columnist.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article/Opinion/Comment are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the DND Thought Center and Dispatch News Desk (DND). Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of the DND Thought Center and Dispatch News Desk.
