Press freedom under siege: Pakistan falls to 158th in global rankings
May 03, 2025: Pakistan has dropped sharply to 158th place in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, underscoring what global watchdogs describe as a deepening crisis for journalism in the country.
The index, published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), reflects a growing trend of authoritarianism and a marked decline in freedom of expression. Pakistan now stands just above the lowest category in RSF’s global rankings, a position highlighting escalating repression of the media.
Observers attribute the decline to intensified political interference, financial instability within media organisations, and increasing violence against journalists. Among the most controversial developments is the recent amendment to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), which critics say is being used to suppress dissent and muzzle independent reporting.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has denounced the changes as “black laws,” arguing they are designed to tighten control over the press. According to Geo News, these amendments have sparked outrage among media professionals and civil society groups, who warn of serious threats to constitutional freedoms.
Further concerns were raised in a report by the Freedom Network, Free Speech and Public Interest Journalism Under Siege, which warned that journalism in Pakistan faces an “existential threat.”
A central criticism is the creation of a new regulatory authority with broad powers to take down digital content deemed contrary to the vaguely defined “ideology of Pakistan.” Rights groups fear this could be used to target critics and censor dissenting views.
RSF had previously urged Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments to take urgent action to protect press freedom, citing “an alarming deterioration” as far back as last year, according to Dawn.
The situation paints a grim picture of the state of press freedom in Pakistan, as journalists, civil society, and international organisations continue to call for the restoration of media independence and the protection of free speech.
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