Pakistani media in turmoil as job cuts, censorship, and silence from unions deepen crisis

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published last month |  JP Special Report

Pakistan’s media faces closures, job cuts, censorship, and fake news amid weak union response, raising alarm over the worsening state of press freedom nationwide.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s media industry is facing another turbulent phase marked by shutdowns, layoffs, legal harassment, and disinformation, while journalists’ unions remain largely silent.

Over the past two weeks, multiple developments have shaken Pakistan’s media landscape. DawnNews Urdu has reportedly decided to shut down its website, issuing notices to its digital team. NewsOne TV is facing mass layoffs and salary delays, and the digital platform Nukta has laid off 37 employees, exposing the worsening economic crisis across traditional and new media.

High-Profile Departures and Rising Threats

Veteran journalist Javed Chaudhry’s departure from Express News after 18 years on his popular show Kal Tak has fueled speculation about growing editorial pressures. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) reported 137 attacks on journalists in 2025, highlighting a surge in threats, censorship, and legal intimidation.

In another disturbing case, police in Rawalpindi foiled a plot to assassinate DawnNewsTV journalist Tahir Naseer, allegedly targeted over his reporting.

Diplomatic Tensions and Media Accusations

Adding to the diplomatic friction, Russia accused The Frontier Post of spreading anti-Russia narratives — an allegation the paper dismissed, defending its editorial independence.

Amid these mounting challenges, disinformation continues to plague the industry. False news reports claimed broadcaster Ishrat Fatima had died, sparking outrage among colleagues who condemned the spread of fake news. Separately, 92 News issued a public apology to Maryam Nawaz for falsely alleging she bought a Toshakhana watch for Rs45,000, correcting misinformation aired in 2022.

Weak Union Response

Despite this wave of crises, journalist unions such as the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) face criticism for selective responses, issuing occasional condemnations but failing to mobilize meaningful protest or advocacy. PFUJ’s latest statement called for the urgent appointment of an ITNE judge to clear a growing backlog of cases involving media workers, but observers say stronger collective action is needed to address Pakistan’s deepening media crisis.

Journalist Matiullah Jan’s recent ordeal underscores these challenges. Charged with drugs after exposing police violence during PTI protests in Islamabad’s D-Chowk, Jan called the accusations a blatant attempt to silence independent reporting.

From newsroom closures to state intimidation, Pakistan’s media stands at a crossroads, struggling for survival, credibility, and safety in an increasingly hostile environment.

KEY POINTS:

• Several media outlets, including DawnNews Urdu, NewsOne TV, and Nukta, have announced shutdowns, layoffs, or salary delays.
•  Javed Chaudhry’s departure from Express News has intensified concerns about mounting editorial and political pressure on newsrooms.
• The Pakistan Press Foundation has recorded 137 attacks on journalists in 2025, indicating a surge in threats, censorship, and legal harassment.
• Police in Rawalpindi say they foiled an assassination attempt targeting DawnNewsTV journalist Tahir Naseer over his reporting.
• Disinformation incidents, including false claims about broadcaster Ishrat Fatima, underscore the persistent challenges of misinformation.
• Journalist unions, including PFUJ, face criticism for limited action despite escalating crises affecting Pakistan’s media industry.

PHOTO: AI-generated (does not resemble anyone).