JournalismPakistan.com | Published December 31, 2024 at 08:00 pm | JP Staff Report
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD-The year 2024 has ended with alarming challenges for press freedom and media safety in Pakistan. The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) has reported a tightly controlled environment for free expression, compounded by threats to journalists’ safety and widespread internet shutdowns.
Journalists in Pakistan faced a year marked by political turmoil, legislative crackdowns, and increasing online and offline threats. A delayed general election in February, preceded by a caretaker government, set the stage for contested results and waves of opposition protests. These events heightened the risks for journalists, who often found themselves targeted by law enforcement and political activists.
Violence and Harassment: Key Statistics
From January to December 2024, the PPF documented 162 confirmed attacks and censorship attempts targeting journalists and media professionals. The alarming figures include:
Censorship and Restrictions: 31 instances, including:
These incidents reflect a deteriorating environment for free expression, leaving media professionals navigating both physical and digital hazards.
Legislative and Policy Developments
In addition to direct attacks, legislative measures further tightened the noose on free expression. Key developments included:
Internet Shutdowns and Connectivity Issues
Internet shutdowns became a tool for control, with 19 documented cases affecting mobile connectivity and access to social media platforms. Such measures severely hampered the ability of journalists to gather and disseminate information.
A Climate of Fear and Uncertainty
The report highlights an environment where mixed messaging and unclear policies by authorities have left journalists vulnerable. Efforts to regulate online spaces through punitive measures have not only restricted access to information but also increased the risks faced by media professionals.
As the year closes, the PPF underscores the urgent need for protecting journalists’ rights and fostering a climate of free expression. Without practical steps to ensure safety and clear, inclusive policymaking, the future of press freedom in Pakistan remains precarious.
January 17, 2025: In an unprecedented breach of judicial protocol, Pakistani journalists accurately revealed Imran Khan's 14-year sentence in the Al-Qadir case on social media 24 hours before the official verdict, raising serious questions about court independence
January 17, 2025: Geo News faces backlash for insensitive coverage of Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing, airing Bollywood song clips before announcing the tragic news
January 17, 2025: An in-depth analysis of ARY News' false reporting on Imran Khan's verdict and the broader crisis of unverified news in Pakistani electronic media, exploring solutions for responsible journalism.
January 16, 2025: The FIA has registered cases against five individuals, including journalist Imran Riaz Khan and PTI leader Shahbaz Gill, for sharing defamatory AI-generated content targeting the UAE President and Punjab Chief Minister. How does this reflect on Pakistan-UAE relations and the misuse of AI?
January 13, 2025: An analysis of Absar Alam's controversial criticism of successful Pakistani YouTubers in exile, examining the intersection of journalism, digital media success, and political persecution, while questioning the credibility of criticism from a former PEMRA chief whose own appointment was declared illegal.
January 13, 2025: Prominent journalist Asma Shirazi faces relentless online harassment in a coordinated campaign involving gendered disinformation. Press freedom groups demand immediate action to protect female journalists in Pakistan.
January 10, 2025: The FIA Cyber Wing is investigating a social media campaign involving AI-manipulated images of Maryam Nawaz and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. Teams are working to trace the content's origins and identify those involved.
January 05, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com welcomes renowned cricket historian and broadcaster Dr. Nauman Niaz as sports editor, bringing his extensive experience in cricket journalism, broadcasting, and scholarly work to strengthen the platform's sports coverage.
January 16, 2025 Explore the evolution of the ICC Champions Trophy and cricket’s commercialization journey, from a gentleman’s game to a global enterprise. Discover how the ICC balanced tradition with revenue generation.
January 12, 2025 Explore an in-depth analysis of Pakistan cricket's decline in Test matches, examining systemic failures, cultural challenges, and the urgent need for modernization. From mismanagement of talents like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi to resistance against technological advancement, this comprehensive piece investigates how a cricket powerhouse finds itself at a critical crossroads between tradition and progress.
January 09, 2025 Shan Masood's magnificent 145 and a record-breaking opening stand with Babar Azam highlighted Pakistan's valiant fight against South Africa in Cape Town. Despite their resilience, Pakistan fell short, reflecting on deeper cricketing issues.
January 05, 2025 An in-depth analysis of Virat Kohli's recent struggles in Test cricket, examining his technical changes, statistical decline since 2021, and the broader implications for his legacy as one of cricket's greatest batsmen. The article explores whether this is a temporary setback or signals the twilight of an extraordinary career.
January 05, 2025 Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post cartoonist Ann Telnaes resigns after her cartoon depicting media moguls, including Post owner Jeff Bezos, kneeling before Donald Trump was rejected, sparking debate about editorial independence and press freedom.