PPF calls for media freedom safeguards in human rights plan

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 21 May 2026 |  JP Staff Report

PPF urged inclusion of enforceable safeguards for press freedom, expression and journalists' safety in NAP‑HR 2026, saying the draft lacks a dedicated mechanism and risks leaving journalists exposed without operational protections.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) has called for the inclusion of explicit and enforceable safeguards for press freedom, freedom of expression, and journalists’ safety in the National Action Plan for Human Rights (NAP-HR) 2026, warning that the draft framework lacks a dedicated mechanism to protect media professionals. The organization urged the Ministry of Human Rights to treat media protection as a core pillar of Pakistan’s human rights architecture rather than a symbolic commitment.

The draft NAP-HR 2026, issued by the Ministry of Human Rights, outlines the country’s broader human rights priorities but does not include a specific, measurable framework for journalist safety or media freedom protections, according to PPF.

Concerns over missing journalist safeguards

PPF said the omission is particularly concerning given constitutional guarantees under Article 19 and Article 19-A of Pakistan’s Constitution, as well as international obligations under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It noted that existing protections under the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021, and related provincial legislation are not being adequately integrated into the national human rights planning framework.

The organization emphasized that without enforceable mechanisms, commitments risk remaining declaratory rather than operational, leaving journalists exposed to ongoing risks in both physical and digital environments.

Call for a dedicated media freedom framework

In its submission, PPF recommended the creation of a dedicated thematic section titled “Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom, and Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals,” supported by monitoring tools, accountability measures, and implementation benchmarks. It argued that such a structure is necessary to ensure compliance and tracking of violations affecting journalists.

PPF also highlighted the rising risks faced by women journalists, calling for gender-sensitive protections, stronger workplace safety protocols, and targeted digital security training to address coordinated online harassment campaigns.

The organization further stressed the need for enforceable commitments on digital rights and access to information, warning that internet shutdowns and other digital restrictions continue to undermine reporting, emergency coverage, and public access to information.

PPF’s monitoring data cited at least 233 incidents involving journalists and media professionals between January 2025 and April 2026, including assaults, criminal complaints, threats, arrests, detentions, censorship cases, and connectivity disruptions. The figures underscore what the organization described as persistent and multi-dimensional risks facing the media sector.

WHY THIS MATTERS: The call highlights growing pressure to convert broad human rights commitments into enforceable protections for journalists within national policy frameworks. For newsrooms, it underscores the gap between legal safeguards and on-ground enforcement, particularly in cases involving digital threats and workplace safety. It also signals increasing scrutiny of state accountability mechanisms in protecting press freedom.

PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only.