Pakistan's media freedom sharply deteriorated over the past year as authorities increasingly used the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act to suppress dissent and target journalists, media watchdog Freedom Network said in a report released Tuesday. The annual report was published ahead of World Press Freedom Day, observed globally on May 3, and documented 129 verified violations against journalists between April 2025 and March 2026.
What are Pakistan's PECA amendments and how are they affecting the press?
PECA was originally introduced in 2016 to combat cybercrime. Amendments passed in 2025 broadened its scope to criminalize content deemed to cause "panic or unrest," with penalties of up to three years in prison. Freedom Network's report describes the amended law as the most consequential instrument curbing journalism and free speech in Pakistan today.
How is PECA being used against journalists and lawyers?
Freedom Network Executive Director Iqbal Khattak said the law has created a climate of fear, compelling journalists to self-censor to avoid legal repercussions. The report cited 58 legal cases against media professionals, most linked to PECA provisions. It also pointed to the convictions of human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha as examples of custodial sentences being used to deter dissent.
The report warned that government efforts to counter misinformation have been accompanied by increased surveillance and selective enforcement. Vague definitions of "fabricated news" have blurred the line between disinformation and legitimate criticism. This ambiguity became visible during the brief India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025, when doctored visuals and recycled footage circulated widely and distorted public understanding of events.
What violations against journalists did the Freedom Network report document?
The 129 verified violations recorded between April 2025 and March 2026 included two murders, five murder threats, 58 PECA-linked legal cases, 16 assaults, 11 threats of harm, and two kidnappings or enforced disappearances. Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were identified as the most dangerous regions for journalists. State authorities were suspected in more than 60% of violations, primarily through legal and custodial actions.
What risks do women journalists face in Pakistan?
The detention of three female journalists in Islamabad while covering the Aurat March in March 2026 illustrated the gender-specific risks women in media face. The report also documented widespread online harassment, workplace discrimination and deepfake abuse targeting women journalists. Economic pressures compounded these risks, with delayed salaries, job insecurity and dependence on government advertising revenue affecting journalists broadly.
What does Freedom Network recommend to improve press freedom in Pakistan?
The report urged Pakistan to amend restrictive PECA provisions, strengthen journalist safety laws and improve implementation of right-to-information frameworks. Without such measures, the report warned, Pakistan's media will remain trapped in a cycle of coercion, censorship and economic fragility. The report did acknowledge one positive development: the appointment of Ambreen Jan as the first female chairperson of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.
Comments
See what people are discussing