May 3, 2025
By Xari Jalil
ISLAMABAD
According to Freedom Network’s annual Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom Report 2025, at least five journalists were murdered, while free speech is being clamped as cases continue to be registered against civilians especially journalists, under the draconian PECA (Amendment) Act, prescribing imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of Rs2 million for spreading ‘misinformation’ online. The report has been co-authored by Adnan Rehmat and Iqbal Khattak.
The report was completed with support from International Media Support (IMS), and reveals a deteriorating environment for free speech and journalism in Pakistan. The report, released on World Press Freedom Day, documents increased censorship, violence against journalists, and restrictive legal measures impacting media freedom.
Clamping down on free speech
The report says that the Pakistani media industry is facing an existential crisis. The situation has been worsened by amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), which have made it easier for authorities to target journalists, activists, and human rights advocates.
The report highlights several key trends including increased censorship, with the government imposing social media bans and internet shutdowns, obstructing access to information; a restrictive legal environment with PECA Amendments expanding government control over online content, and with the criminalizing the dissemination of “fake news”; violence against journalists, the impact of disinformation affecting media integrity, especially with government crackdowns on alleged misinformation raising concerns about censorship.
The report also highlights challenges for women in media, an ever present issue, and explains how women remain under-represented in the media sector, particularly in leadership roles. It also highlights that there is immense political polarization, with social media used rampantly to spread misinformation and hate speech.
The report calls for urgent action to protect media freedoms and ensure the safety of journalists. It emphasizes the need for collaboration among media stakeholders to promote public interest journalism.
PECA has been one of the biggest challenges of the past few months. The Act with recently passed with controversial amendments, which makes it easier for the authorities to arrest, fine and imprison journalists and dissidents – both offline and online – besides other challenges.
A dangerous profession
“The existential threat is serious as such a situation is seen rare in Pakistani media history. This situation is threatening the very foundation of democracy and the state is more brutal now than it was before to tolerate hard questions,” Freedom Network Executive Director Iqbal Khattak said as the report launch coincides with World Press Freedom Day being commemorated globally on 03 May, including Pakistan, every year.
Five journalists were killed during the period this report covered. Three journalists were killed in Sindh province and two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province while at least 82 journalists and other media professionals had faced different types of threats during the same period.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa emerged as the most dangerous province for journalists where 22 cases were documented while Islamabad recorded the second highest number of 20 cases against journalists and followed by Punjab – 18 cases. Four cases were recorded in Baluchistan and one in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The report said at least 14 journalists faced legal cases, mostly under PECA law while in eight cases journalists were arrested or detained in pursuance of legal cases.