Freedom Network report accuses PECA and legal and economic pressures of worsening press freedom and journalist safety
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan’s media landscape has witnessed a significant contraction in free expression space over the past year, due to escalating legal, regulatory and economic pressures, among others.
This was revealed in media watchdog Freedom Network’s latest annual report on the state of media freedoms and the safety of journalists.
The report, titled “Regulatory Crackdown on Freedom of Expression – Legal Controls and PECA Undermine Media and Journalism in Pakistan,” identifies the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) as the “most consequential instrument” used to restrict journalists and freedom of expression practitioners.
Originally enacted in 2016 to combat cybercrime, draconian changes to the law’s provisions in 2025 were increasingly used in 2025-2026 to criminalize lawful expression, target dissent, and intimidate journalists, lawyers, and political commentators, the report said.
Freedom Network released the report on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3 globally and in Pakistan.
“The militarization of PECA has created a climate of fear in which journalists are forced to self-censor to avoid legal repercussions,” said Iqbal Khattak, executive director of Freedom Network. “This represents one of the most serious threats to media freedom in Pakistan today.”
The report, according to a press release issued by the organization, highlights high-profile convictions of human rights lawyers, including Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, as examples of how custodial sentences are used to deter dissent.
Additionally, dozens of journalists have been charged under Peca’s expanded provisions, while defamation suits, regulatory suspensions, and internet shutdowns have further limited independent journalism.
“Pakistan’s broader legal and regulatory framework has reinforced these challenges. Although right to information laws exist, their implementation remains inconsistent, with federal institutions particularly reluctant to disclose. The persistence of secrecy through outdated laws continues to weaken transparency and accountability,” reads one of the report’s findings.
The report also notes that states’ efforts to combat disinformation and hate speech are often accompanied by increased surveillance and selective enforcement. Regulatory bodies that monitor online content, coupled with vague definitions of “fabricated information,” blur the line between misinformation and legitimate dissent.
According to the report, the risks associated with disinformation became particularly evident during the brief India-Pakistan war of May 2025, when falsified visuals and recycled images circulated widely across media platforms, distorting the public’s understanding of events.
In terms of journalist safety, the report documented at least 129 verified incidents of violations during the period examined, which spanned between April 2025 and March 2026. Legal threats and physical violence accounted for almost two-thirds of these cases.
Among these violations are two murders, five cases of threats of murder, 58 legal cases (mostly invoked by Peca), 16 cases of assault, 11 cases of death threats and two cases of kidnapping and enforced disappearance.
Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa emerged as the most dangerous regions for journalists, while killings in Sindh and Balochistan highlighted continuing risks. State authorities were suspected of being the main perpetrators of these violations, responsible for more than 60 percent of violations, mainly through legal actions and detentions. Non-state actors, including militant groups and criminal networks, have also contributed to threats, attacks and killings.
The detention of three female journalists in Islamabad who sought to cover Aurat March in March 2026 highlighted the gender dimension of these risks. Across Pakistan, journalists have also faced economic pressures, including salary delays, job insecurity, and reliance on government advertising, which has further undermined their editorial independence.
Women journalists, according to the report, remain particularly marginalized within the media sector. Harassment, online abuse, and workplace discrimination continued to create a hostile environment. Cases involving deepfake abuse and detention further illustrate these challenges.
Despite these constraints, some progress has been noted, including leadership initiatives and the appointment of Ambreen Jan as the first woman to head the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra).
The report also examines the changing role of technology in Pakistani journalism. Although AI adoption remains limited due to infrastructural and language barriers, concerns about misinformation and lack of oversight persist. However, some initiatives indicate first steps towards responsible integration of technology into the country’s media practices.
The report concludes that the cumulative impact of these developments has significantly reduced the space for freedom of expression in Pakistan, with journalists, citizens and rights defenders operating in an increasingly restrictive environment.
The report emphasizes urgent reforms, including reviewing restrictive provisions of Peca, strengthening implementation of journalists’ safety laws and ensuring transparency through effective enforcement of RTI frameworks. It also recommends providing legal and institutional support to journalists and promoting ethical use of emerging technologies.
“Without such measures,” the report warns, “Pakistani media will remain trapped in a cycle of coercion, censorship and economic fragility, with serious implications for democratic accountability and freedom of expression.”
