Pakistani media faces existential crisis: report

LAHORE: Pakistani media is standing at the crossroads amid an existential threat and an increasingly restrictive environment, deteriorating safety and job security, significant challenges to the professional integrity of media and its practitioners, according to Freedom Network’s annual Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom Report 2025.

Titled “Free speech and public interest journalism under siege,” the report finds that the existential crisis was triggered by amendments to Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) in January 2025 that now “makes it easier” for authorities to arrest, fine and imprison journalists and dissidents – both offline and online – besides other challenges.

“The existential threat is serious as such a situation is seen rare in Pakistani media history,” Freedom Network Executive Director Iqbal Khattak said as the report launch coincides with World Press Freedom Day being commemorated globally on May 3, 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 faced different types of threats during the same period.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa emerged as the most dangerous province for journalists, with only 22 cases being documented, while Islamabad recorded the second highest number of 20 cases against journalists, 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, while in eight cases journalists were arrested or detained in pursuance of legal cases.