JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 22, 2019
Join our WhatsApp channel
Journalists in Pakistan are facing financial instability with reports that some have not been paid for over three months, while others have had their salary cut between 10-40 percent in the past six months.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) stands with its affiliate the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in demanding media houses to pay outstanding wages immediately, and call on the government to take action to resolve the growing financial instability.
The issue of withheld salaries was raised as early as February 2019 and remained an on-going issue. On February 1 journalists from Geo News staged protests in newsrooms across Pakistan demanding unpaid salaries.
They also launched strikes, which came after several months waiting for salary payments. Journalists at Dawn have had their salaries cut between 10-40 percent in the past six months. Similarly, Dawn journalists held countrywide protests against the salary cuts and mass layoffs.
PFUJ President GM Jamali and Secretary-General Rana Azeem have condemned the delayed salaries for the media workers. Also, PFUJ has demanded the government to take this issue seriously and ensure the pending salaries are paid soon.
“As it is the Pakistani media is going through an extremely tough time with increased pressure from anti-democratic forces that are trying to silence the media, financial pressures are only adding to this. If the pending salaries are not resolved immediately, we will be forced to call for a nationwide go-slow protest followed by ‘shutter down’ protest,” PFUJ President GM Jamali said in the statement.
The IFJ said: “We stand in solidarity with PFUJ and our colleagues in Pakistan in demanding action for the ongoing financial instability that they are facing. Journalists must be paid for their work, and we demand those withholding wages to immediately rectify the situation.” – IFJ media release/Photo: PFUJ
March 16, 2025: Senior analyst Imtiaz Gul joins the growing list of journalists and commentators banned from Pakistani television, raising fresh concerns about declining press freedom in the country.
March 14, 2025: Explore how exiled Pakistani journalists are leveraging digital platforms to deliver independent analysis and fill critical information gaps that state-controlled media leaves behind, transforming the country's media landscape from abroad.
March 07, 2025: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has questioned the delay in the Arshad Sharif murder investigation, as the government seeks additional time to finalize a mutual legal assistance agreement with Kenya.
March 07, 2025: Former Suno TV anchor Paras Jahanzaib breaks silence on her sudden removal, exposing government pressure tactics against journalists who refuse to follow official narratives in Pakistan.
March 05, 2025: The Federal and Punjab governments have denied advertisements to Dawn since October 2024, allegedly due to its critical reporting. In an editorial, the paper vowed to uphold journalistic integrity despite pressure tactics.
March 04, 2025: ARY News faces mounting pressure, as top journalist Kashif Abbasi remains off air, exposing the deepening crackdown on free speech in Pakistan. How far will censorship go to silence dissent?
March 01, 2025: Pakistani authorities' efforts to silence critical media voices are backfiring as prominent anchors build massive audiences on alternative platforms. This analysis explores how media suppression undermines democracy while empowering digital journalism.
February 27, 2025: Pakistan's media landscape faces unprecedented restrictions as prominent journalists Habib Akram and Khalid Jamil join the growing list of silenced voices, highlighting the dangerous consequences of state-sanctioned censorship.
March 16, 2025 The Trump administration has ordered furloughs at U.S.-funded broadcasters, including Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia, raising concerns about press freedom and government control over media funding.
March 15, 2025 Explore the dynamic relationship between athletes and sports journalists, examining the challenges, ethical dilemmas, and mutual benefits that shape the sports media landscape.
March 14, 2025 The National Press Foundation is offering a fully funded journalism training workshop in Singapore from June 22 to 25. The workshop will cover sustainable global trade, investment, politics, and more. Apply by April 6.
March 14, 2025 The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urges Maharashtra authorities to ensure their AI-driven media monitoring plan does not undermine press freedom. The initiative, which classifies news as positive or negative, raises concerns over government overreach and self-censorship.
March 13, 2025 The McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism offers up to $15,000 in grants and editorial support for investigative journalists. Apply by April 14, 2025 for the Spring Fellowship.