Censored on air, unstoppable online: Pakistan's outdated model of information control

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published March 01, 2025 at 05:38 pm |  JP Special Report

ISLAMABAD—The recent wave of forced resignations and dismissals in Pakistani media represents a disturbing pattern of censorship that ultimately undermines democratic institutions and the very power structures implementing these measures. When Paras Jahanzaib of Suno TV announced her resignation "due to unavoidable circumstances," she joined a growing list of prominent journalists pushed out for refusing to conform to officially sanctioned narratives.

The message rippling through Pakistani journalism circles could not be clearer: align with preferred narratives or face professional extinction. Yet this heavy-handed approach to media control reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of modern information ecosystems.

Jahanzaib's departure was foreshadowed in one of her final broadcasts when PPP's Nabeel Gabol warned her to "be careful" because she "talked too much." Her response, quoting Quranic wisdom that "Allah gives glory to whom He wills, and brings humiliation to whom He wills," reflects the ethical stance that has cost numerous journalists their mainstream media positions.

The pattern extends well beyond Jahanzaib. Fellow Suno TV presenter Habib Akram was similarly forced out, as were GNN's Samina Pasha, Kashif Abbasi of ARY News, Sami Ibrahim from BOL News, and Khalid Jameel of ABN News. Other prominent voices in Pakistani journalism have faced even more severe consequences, with Dr. Moeed Pirzada, Sabir Shakir, Imran Riaz Khan, and Wajahat S. Khan forced into exile due to threats against their lives.

What authorities fail to recognize is that removing these journalists from traditional broadcasting merely shifts their influence to digital platforms where censorship proves far more difficult. Most of these silenced anchors have established YouTube channels with subscriber counts in the millions—audiences that often exceed their former television viewership. This digital migration of journalism creates a more direct connection between journalists and their audiences, one unmediated by institutional pressures or government intimidation.

The Pakistani media landscape remains compromised by financial dependencies that prevent news organizations from fulfilling their watchdog role. Media houses understandably hesitate to challenge powerful interests when government advertising revenue represents a crucial lifeline. The recent 60-page color supplement celebrating Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's first year in office exemplifies this dynamic, as do the front-page "news articles" purchased by the Punjab Government that amount to self-promotion.

This compromised journalism environment creates precisely the conditions that make independent voices so valuable—and their suppression so counterproductive. When mainstream Pakistani media channels become perceived as mere governmental mouthpieces, audience trust inevitably erodes, driving viewers toward alternative sources perceived as more credible.

The authorities' approach reflects an outdated model of information control more suited to the 20th century than today's interconnected digital landscape. Each journalist removed from television emerges with potentially greater influence online, where geographic and regulatory constraints hold less power. This digital transformation of Pakistani journalism represents not just a shift in medium but a fundamental realignment of power between the press and those who would control it.

For Pakistani democracy to thrive, journalism must be allowed to function without intimidation or manipulation. The current strategy of silencing critical voices not only undermines press freedom but paradoxically amplifies the very perspectives it attempts to suppress. As more journalists build independent platforms beyond traditional control mechanisms, the ineffectiveness of media censorship becomes increasingly apparent.

The future of Pakistani media likely lies in this growing digital ecosystem where journalists connect directly with audiences hungry for perspectives absent from mainstream channels. Rather than silencing critics, authorities would better serve both their interests and the nation's by engaging with legitimate criticism and addressing underlying concerns that fuel public discontent.

Until then, the exodus of talent from Pakistani television will continue strengthening an alternative media landscape beyond institutional control—one where the most effectively "silenced" voices often speak the loudest.

Coordinated or coincidence? Identical tweets by Pakistani journalists raise eyebrows

 April 23, 2025:  Pakistani journalists respond in unison to a post hinting at a possible Indian military strike. Citing the 2019 ‘Swift Retort,’ they warn of a stronger response if provoked again.

Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists after PTI expulsion

 April 21, 2025:  After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.

Journalist Sanaullah Khan alleges FIA blocking accounts of YouTubers and families

 April 21, 2025:  Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.

A launch in style: Dr. Nauman Niaz unveils 'In A Different Realm'

 April 20, 2025:  Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.

Sindhi journalist AD Shar brutally murdered, PFUJ declares three-day mourning

 April 11, 2025:  Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.

AJK government registers case against newspaper and staff

 April 10, 2025:  The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.

Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges FIA threats, possible arrest over reporting

 April 08, 2025:  Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.

Noorani’s missing brothers: Court orders IG to produce individuals

 April 07, 2025:  The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.