By: A.R Manj
The Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom Report 2025, released by Freedom Network, presents a stark portrayal of the deteriorating media landscape in Pakistan. Titled “Free Speech and Public Interest Journalism Under Siege,” the report paints a grim picture of a media sector grappling with escalating challenges, including increased restrictions, threats to professional integrity, and deteriorating safety and job security for journalists.
A key highlight of the report is the existential threat facing the media in Pakistan, largely attributed to the recent amendments in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) in January 2025. These amendments have made it easier for authorities to arrest, fine, and imprison journalists and dissenters, both offline and online, significantly intensifying the already difficult environment for media professionals.
Freedom Network Executive Director Iqbal Khattak, while launching the report on World Press Freedom Day, emphasized the unprecedented nature of the current crisis. “The existential threat is serious and rare in the history of Pakistani media,” Khattak remarked. “This situation threatens the very foundation of democracy, and the state is now more brutal in its approach to silencing hard questions than ever before.” The report sheds light on how the legal and political landscape in Pakistan has become increasingly hostile toward media practitioners, marking a significant regression in terms of press freedom.
The report covers the period from May 2024 to April 2025 and outlines the severe challenges faced by journalists during this time. Among the most alarming statistics is the tragic loss of five journalists’ lives during the covered period—three in Sindh and two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Additionally, 82 journalists and media professionals encountered various forms of threats.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa emerged as the most perilous province for journalists, with 22 documented cases of threats, followed by Islamabad with 20 cases, and Punjab with 18. In comparison, Balochistan recorded four incidents, while Azad Jammu and Kashmir had one. The report also highlights the legal persecution of journalists, with at least 14 facing legal charges, primarily under the PECA law, and eight being arrested or detained in connection with these cases.
Khattak further elaborated on the broader implications of these developments, warning that the shrinking space for media freedom in Pakistan leaves citizens with limited access to vital information. “As the media space contracts, the public will have less access to the information they need to make informed decisions,” he said.
The Freedom of Expression and Media Freedom Report 2025 serves as a powerful reminder of the increasingly perilous state of press freedom in Pakistan. The report underlines how the media is not only under siege but also facing an existential crisis that threatens the very core of democratic processes in the country. It is an urgent call to action for both local and international stakeholders to address these challenges and ensure that journalists can operate safely and freely in Pakistan.
