2014 worst ever for Pakistani media: Freedom Network

JournalismPakistan.com | Published January 26, 2015

Join our WhatsApp channel

2014 worst ever for Pakistani media: Freedom Network

ISLAMABAD: The year 2014 was the worst ever in the history of Pakistan for the media with the highest number of casualties ever – 14 journalists, media assistants and a blogger killed for their work and dozens injured, kidnapped and intimidated, reveals an annual media trends monitoring and analysis report issued by Freedom Network, Pakistan.

A Press Release said the report, available in its entirety on its website – www.fnpk.org – investigates in detail several distinct trends that emerged in various realms of the media over the course of 2014, also predicts a menu of key challenges that the media in Pakistan will face over the course of 2015. This is the first detailed and integrated attempt to do so in Pakistan.

The report, “State of Media in Pakistan: Key Trends of 2014 and Main Challenges in 2015,” says 2014 came to be characterized by a number of troubling developments in the realm of electronic media when laws came to be used formally to browbeat and censure it for the first time, including convicting media houses for treason and blasphemy and punishing them coercively with bans and fines.

Freedom Network [FN], a Pakistani media rights watchdog and an independent advocacy, research and training organization, in its latest yearly report released on January 25, 2015, carries nine articles with in-depth look at issues of media security, impunity against journalists, worsening media ethics and crisis of credibility, outdated media laws, digital freedoms and privacy protections, social media and digitalization of news sources, media ratings and profit motives, and mainstreaming of citizen journalism in Pakistan.

Freedom Network Managing Director Aurangzaib Khan said, “For several years now, Pakistan has consistently figured as the most dangerous of countries for journalists when it comes to the debate around freedom of expression internationally. A lot needs to be done to reduce the risk to human rights defenders, journalists and development practitioners in Pakistan to make defending human rights and practicing journalism safer professions. This report is part of the effort to monitor, protect and advocate for an enabling environment for development and media practitioners.”

The report looks in detail at the relentless challenges the growing Pakistani news media continues to face investigating how the dominant TV news channels are facing a crisis of credibility for growing compromises on ethics. The report also investigates how 2014 came to be the deadliest year ever for Pakistani media for its shockingly high number of fatal casualties.

Each of the nine key media issues discussed by a separate expert on the subject ranging from seasoned journalists, dealing with these issues on a daily basis, to activists who keep a close eye on media developments – each suggesting changes and reforms needed to promote greater media professionalism.

In her article on digital challenges to media in Pakistan, Nighat Daad noted this disturbing trend: “The previous regimes in Pakistan preferred a behind-the-scene approach for controlling internet freedom but the [current] regime in its first 18 months in office has been vocal in the Parliament and on media for using strong measures to censor social media.”

Phyza Jameel, a media and development activist, researcher and analyst, throws light on the fast emerging social media scene in Pakistan by saying “In practice, in 2014 in Pakistan blogging and citizen journalism have been trying to emerge as a parallel form of media, bringing activism and accountability to the existing information mechanisms.”

The report includes the following key themes and contributors: Aurangzaib Khan on Attacks on Media, Iqbal Khattak on Impunity against Journalists, Adnan Rehmat on Roadmap for Media Safety, Haroon Rashid on Media Ethics and Crisis of Credibility, Aftab Alam on Reforming Outdated Media Laws, Nighat Daad on Digital Freedoms and Privacy Protections, Sadaf Khan on Social Media and Digitalization of News Sources, Asad Baig on Media Ratings and Profit Motives, and Phyza Jameel on Mainstreaming Citizen Journalism.

Image courtesy: Freedom Network

Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket

June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.

Journalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude

June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.

Legal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar

May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.

HRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties

May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.

PFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice

May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.

State within a state? Police block reinstated Jang employees from resuming duties

May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.

PFUJ slams Jang Group's 'economic massacre' after mass firing of over 80 workers

May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.

Labor rights trampled: Daily Jang defies court, terminates over 80 employees

May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.

Newsroom

219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, PJS reports

May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.

Pakistan's Flying Horse: How Samiullah Khan changed hockey forever

May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.

Algerian TV channel suspended for 10 days over racist slur against African migrants

May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.

NCHR and MMfD launch Fellowship to Empower Journalists on Digital Rights & Gender Inclusion

May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!

'In A Different Realm' offers a philosophical take on cricket's greatest innings

April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.