LAHORE: A new report by the Freedom Network paints a grim picture of the state of press freedom in Pakistan, highlighting an “existential threat” to the media landscape amid increasing restrictions, dwindling safety, and job security.
The annual “Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom Report 2025”, titled “Free speech and public interest journalism under siege,” underscores that recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) in January this year have exacerbated the crisis.
These amendments, according to the findings, have made it “easier” for authorities to apprehend, fine, and imprison journalists and dissenting voices, both online and offline.
“The existential threat is serious as such a situation is seen as rare in Pakistani media history,” said Iqbal Khattak, executive director of the Freedom Network, at the report’s launch ahead of World Press Freedom Day, celebrated globally on May 3.
Tragically, the report documented the killing of five journalists during the period this report covered.
Three journalists were killed in Sindh and two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while at least 82 journalists and other media professionals faced different types of threats during the same period.
KP 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, with 18 cases.
Four cases were recorded in Balochistan 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.