World Press Freedom Day: A Clarion Call for Media Freedom in Pakistan
Karachi, Pakistan – Journalists, academics, and human rights activists convened on World Press Freedom Day to address the escalating concerns over dwindling media freedom, increasing state control, declining journalistic standards, and the proliferation of disinformation in Pakistan. The discussion, hosted by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in partnership with the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ), highlighted the precarious state of journalism in the country and its implications for democracy.
Speakers at the Karachi Press Club event painted a grim picture of the media landscape, emphasizing the pervasiveness of fear and the chilling effect of state repression on critical voices. Veteran journalist Hussain Naqi warned that the current atmosphere of fear, if left unchecked, could lead to the nation’s downfall, stressing the importance of learning from past movements to address the current crisis. Mazhar Abbas, another seasoned journalist, pointed out the long-standing tradition of restricting intellectual freedom in Pakistan, arguing that a truly free press has never existed in the country. He criticized the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) as a draconian law targeting not only journalists but also human rights defenders and activists, further exacerbating the spread of disinformation due to the government’s tight grip on information dissemination.
Abbas highlighted the stark contrast between the unprecedented unity of journalists during the 1970 strike and the subsequent erosion of that solidarity due to state-sponsored policies that fostered corruption within various institutions, including the media. He also drew attention to the worrying trend of rising extremism in India, fueled by war hysteria and media manipulation, and compared it with the situation in Pakistan, where media control and manipulation are also prevalent.
The discussion delved into the historical roots of media control, tracing censorship laws back to British colonial rule. Prof. Tauseef Ahmed Khan lamented the continuation of these draconian laws, exemplified by PECA, which now extends to the realm of social media, curtailing the common citizen’s right to expression. He also criticized the decline of the editor’s institution in print media and its absence in electronic media, arguing that this has undermined journalistic objectivity and the public’s right to know. He highlighted the dangerous impact of this lack of editorial oversight on the narrative surrounding the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, suggesting that a robust editorial framework could have mitigated the war hysteria gripping both nations.
Dr. Riaz Ahmed Shaikh emphasized the incompatibility of censorship with true democracy and expressed concern that the assault on media freedom was spreading to educational institutions, echoing the repressive environment prevalent during General Zia-ul-Haq’s regime. He warned of a systematic effort to stifle progressive thought in universities, the consequences of which he predicted would become evident in the coming years. Sohail Sangi, a veteran journalist, underscored the interconnectedness of press freedom, democracy, and parliament, asserting that without press freedom, neither a legitimate parliament nor true democracy can exist.
Human rights activist Mehnaz Rehman broadened the scope of the issue, highlighting that press freedom is not merely a concern for journalists but a fundamental right for all who value democracy and humanity. She called for the abolition of the information ministry, accusing it of wielding government advertisements as a tool to control newspapers and suppress journalists. Her call for collective action resonated with the overall theme of the discussion, emphasizing the need for a unified front to defend press freedom and democratic values. The event concluded with remarks from other prominent figures, including HRCP chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt, journalist Javed Asghar Chaudhry, and trade union leader Nasir Mansoor, all voicing their concerns and advocating for a more open and free media landscape in Pakistan. The World Press Freedom Day discussion served as a stark reminder of the challenges facing journalists and the importance of upholding press freedom as a cornerstone of a democratic society.