The state of freedom of expression in Pakistan has progressively worsened in the recent years. The year 2023 may have been one of the worst in the country’s history with regard to freedom of expression in Pakistan. Blanket bans on speeches by public representatives and restrictions on citizens making ‘anti-state’ comments on social media are measures to curb the freedom of expression. On the other hand, the squeeze on the media has entered a phase where severe restrictions have forced some media outlets to resort to self-censorship for fear of punitive action.

Not only have many political leaders and workers been arrested in recent months, hundreds have also been forced to change loyalties and join new groups. Several TV presenters have been told to step down or fall in line. Pemra, the state regulator of broadcast media, has slapped a ban on live speeches by a former prime minister. Some media owners are reported to have been directed not to mention his name or show his picture. Several journalists have lost their jobs for resisting such directions. Some have disappeared for various lengths of time.

Pakistani journalism has been witness to harsh restrictions, especially during military regimes. According to the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, Pakistan ranks 150th out of 180 nations, “reflecting dramatic deterioration in freedom of the press in recent years.” International organisations monitoring media freedoms across the globe are aware of reports of Pakistani journalists encountering a variety of problems, including the threats of assault and harassment.

Reporters Without Borders has called the hastily passed amendments to the Pemra laws “draconian,” for opening the way to more censorship. It says that apart from requiring TV channels to not delay salaries of their employees for over two months; preventing the Pemra head from suspending license of a TV channel; and introducing the parliament’s role in the selection of the authority’s chairman, these amendments were a “sly move” that could turn into a “full-blown” censorship tool in the hands of the government.

There seems no end to the coercive measures being taken against the media. Most voices in favour of media freedoms have submitted to the mounting pressure.

Pakistan is going through a phase where democratic forces have lost the space they had managed to regain after Gen Musharraf’s rule. Some political parties are too weak to utter a word against the curbs imposed on the media, arrests and disappearances of journalists and political workers, etc.

The digital media and other social media platforms are also under scrutiny. A single tweet perceived to be against a state policy may land a journalist or a social media user in serious trouble.

The historic political polarisation has paved way for powers that be to exercise unchallenged powers and arm-twisting tactics to get things done. Most of the so-called major political parties have turned a blind eye to what is happening to media freedoms. Their only concern apparently is to get into power. There is hardly a voice left in political parties to raise concerns about the control of the media.

Receive directives to highlight a particular issue or downplay another has become near routine. Every other day the Pemra issues directives to news channels to follow the guidelines it issues with a ‘gentle warning’ against any violation.

Efforts are being made to ensure that a certain political party doesn’t get “too much” coverage for its election campaign. Rumours are being spread through the media that the elections might be delayed on some pretext.

There seems no end to the coercive measures being taken against the media. Most voices in favour of media freedoms have submitted to the mounting pressure. The current situation is going to have a lasting impact on efforts to ensure that citizens enjoy freedom of expression and have access to information. This risks jeopardising the democratic system.

The writer is a senior broadcast journalist. He has worked with several news channels in Pakistan