JournalismPakistan.com | Published September 13, 2019
Join our WhatsApp channelISLAMABAD — Veteran journalist Najam Sethi says things are really bad in the Pakistani media.
Speaking to the Committee to Protect Journalists, he said he had lived through many authoritarian regimes and periods of censorship. “But what is happening now is unprecedented.”
“Every time we ask a question, our credentials are challenged. We are accused of being treasonable. Efforts are afoot to gag us.”
The censorship is such that “we are told we cannot use certain words; we can’t interview certain people. We cannot show demonstrations by a certain political party. One by one, they are taking off anyone who is outspoken.”
Sethi said the channel he worked for — 24 News — was taken off air for four days once, and then three days because of things he said.
“The fact that they can pull the plug on you, the fact that there is nothing you can do is a huge disincentive for freedom of press.”
He said people are wary of criticizing the national security instiutions, and rightly so. But at the end of the day, when these institutions meddle in politics, then they bring themselves into disrepute.
He pointed out that pressure comes from various sources. “One phone call from anyone who is anyone in the organs of the state — to the cable operators to take a channel off and they will do it. It kills you because if your channel is not being shown, the advertisers pull out. There’s no revenue, you can’t pay your salaries, and then you have to layoff staff. That’s what is happening.”
Sethi said that the courts have to protect the media. “If the courts protect us things would be different. International organizations have to raise a hue and cry every time an untoward thing happens. But more than anything else, we have to stand up and resist. It is not going to be easy. There’s a price to be paid for it.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.