Achi news desk-
Journalists around the world face unprecedented threats – from legal and economic pressure to outright threats of violence – impeding their ability to report freely. The war in Gaza highlights the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones. Since October 7, at least 97 journalists and media workers have been killed.
In India, press freedom has seen a marked decline, fueled by a political climate that increasingly stifles dissent. Media ownership is concentrated among a few closely aligned with the BJP – which is set to win a third straight term in power – reducing the diversity of voices in the media. Journalists face harassment and legal action, and purse strings dictate media narratives. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, which has the lowest press freedom in South Asia, is suffering its own problems. The Cyber ​​Security Act, passed last year, threatens to increase the state’s influence over the media, limiting journalistic freedom and creating the possibility for arbitrary interpretation and enforcement of the legislation. Such incidents, together with violence and judicial harassment of journalists, highlight a growing hostility towards independent journalism.
A similar situation arises in Pakistan, where the media has been under attack for a long time. The conflict is on two fronts: the government and the security establishment both demand control, hoping to influence editorial policy. This censorship continues regardless of whether the party is in power. One such example is the implicit ‘ban’ on media from mentioning PTI founder Imran Khan. This policy, implemented during Shehbaz Sharif’s last term as Prime Minister, remained under the caretaker period and is enforced sporadically.
The opposition parties, despite their calls for media freedom, often use the same restrictive tactics while in power. Whether through direct censorship, advertising suppression, or darker methods such as harassment, legal intimidation, and assault, Pakistan’s press navigates dangerous territory. being pushed aside in favor of compliance. Many media outlets, once bastions of brave reporting, are now succumbing to the aforementioned double pressure.
This surrender is often motivated by financial incentives or coercive force, which leads to media taking risks rather than investigating. Powerful corporate entities put further pressure on media outlets, with some throwing money at them to campaign against specific outlets. The need for unity in Pakistan’s media has never been more important in order to handle pressure more effectively, preserve journalistic integrity, and resist attempts to influence editorial content. On this World Press Freedom Day, let us promise to present a united front, not only to protect our operational independence but also to strengthen the very foundations of press freedom in the country.
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