Criminalised journalism

Pakistan has never been a friendly place for honest and independent media, and this moment in out history is no different. Not only do journalists have to contend with an economic and technological climate that threatens the very existence of journalism itself, but they also face a politico-legal atmosphere that often appears to target media professionals simply for doing their jobs. And while the authorities seem keener than ever before to go after journalists for what they say or write, they have gotten no better at protecting them from the threats, violence and harassment that have simply become part of the job in Pakistan. All of this appears to have prompted the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the world’s largest organisation of journalists, to write a letter to the Supreme Court expressing concern for journalists and media workers in Pakistan amid the current political, economic and social crisis and newly legislated laws. In particular, the letter takes aim at the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act (Peca), calling for the legislation to be reviewed and amended in consultation with the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and other relevant stakeholders. According to the IFJ, the heightened level of legal persecution under Peca has only compounded the challenges for media professionals amidst a climate of increasing polarisation, protests and social disruption.

The IFJ has documented 34 press freedom violations in Pakistan from May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025, including seven targeted killings of journalists, eight non-fatal incidents of violence, and multiple cases of legal harassment, defamation, threats, arrests and attacks on media institutions. While these are challenges faced by journalists throughout the country, the problems appear to be more severe in certain regions. A report released on Thursday by the media watchdog group Freedom Network documented 28 cases of threats and/or violence against journalists between 2021 and September 2024 in southern Punjab alone. These include two murders. The report also notes that frivolous lawsuits and false FIRs are frequently used to intimidate journalists and stifle critical reporting. Such regional disparities are important to keep in mind, indicating that the pressure to keep things quiet is often greatest in the parts of the country that we need to hear the most from. But will reports like this actually get the state to reverse its current course? After all, the country is no stranger to bad reports that highlight the systematic abuse of the very democratic rights and freedoms its leaders are bound to uphold.

An equally valid point is that a totally unregulated information landscape is not in anyone’s best interest, least of all genuine media professionals. Rampant misinformation and fake news are a threat to anyone who seeks to provide credible news. However, it is unclear if laws like Peca have actually helped move things towards greater credibility. Fake news seems as prevalent as it ever was, its purveyors safely ensconced behind digital walls, while proper journalists, who do not hide, are having a harder time doing their jobs than ever before. While they might not be inclined to do so, the authorities should take heed of the IFJ letter and move towards a regulatory path that frames legislation as a means to improve the information available to the public and not punish those attempting to provide it.