Journalists under fire

At least 54 journalists were killed worldwide in 2024. According to a report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Israeli armed forces were responsible for the deaths of 18 journalists this year - 16 in Gaza and two in Lebanon. The number of journalists killed is at a five-year high. While Gaza was the most dangerous place in the world for journalists, other regions also exhibited troubling trends for those reporting the news. According to the RSF report, at least seven were also killed in Pakistan. The country once again emerged as one of the most dangerous spots for journalists. Varied reasons were cited, including political instability, militant violence and suppression of dissenting voices. Journalists in Pakistan face threats not only from extremist groups but also from state actors who often view independent reporting as a threat to their authority. In Pakistan, media outlets have come under increasing pressure in recent years from the government and state authorities, leading to self-censorship and in extreme cases, violence against journalists.

During the last months of the year, we have witnessed journalists arrested for various trumped-up charges. Media persons reporting on sensitive issues in the country are silenced through intimidation, abduction and in some cases and murder. For many reporters in the country, the risk of retaliation by powerful quarters is constant. Due to the prevailing environment of fear and the restricted space available, the media has become less effective in holding the powerful to account. It is the need of the hour for international organisations and the government to take concrete steps to protect journalists in Pakistan. The government must introduce a strong legal framework to protect media workers, ensure accountability for crimes against journalists and help foster an environment where the media is free to report the news without fear of violence or retaliation.