Democracies function better when they encourage free societies, where exchange of thoughts, ideas and speech is a right guaranteed by the state to every citizen. It then appears as no surprise how Pakistan continues to struggle in making its society one that encourages a culture of free expression. Constitutional limitations aside, which in itself ought to be based on logic and reason, rights to information and expression remain contested in societies that remain chained in oppression and authoritarian rule. One can only wonder how Pakistan fares on this front.

What’s truly sad is the list of challenges that goes on and on. Information garners power. Interests of elements in whose hands are the reins that control information add a whole new dimension to an already complex information ecosphere. These interests are not always fully transparent. At times when they are, the practice is to look the other way. But that is not the only thing that remains at stake here. The collective integrity of a people remains threatened.

Regardless of the principle on which regulating authorities are formed globally, regulation in Pakistan is largely focused on silencing voices that are in contradiction to mainstream narratives. Content that offers diversity of choices is ‘regulated’ paving way for narratives that are intended to be mainstreamed.

What then of journalists, of editors, of reporters, who claim loyalty to their readers or viewers? Do they continue to battle wars of censorship or do they learn to tread carefully? We are still discovering.

Many questions remain unanswered. But in times as tumultuous as the ones we live in, can we as a nation afford to remain un-informed?