HRCP bemoans shrinking media freedoms in Pakistan

 The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) offered a sobering account of the media freedoms in Pakistan in its latest report titled 'Harsh Sentences: The State of Freedom of Expression (2022-24)' released on Thursday.

The findings of the report authored by journalist Mahim Maher, revealed a troubling landscape. The report examined the shifting dynamics since the removal of former prime minister Imran Khan through a vote of no-confidence in April 2022.

While some sections of the media faced tightening restrictions, the report said, others enjoyed unchecked freedom, creating a fragmented and manipulated narrative.

The report highlighted stark realities, including the assassination of a journalist, enforced disappearances, targeted "press advice", and legislative amendments seemingly designed to curtail digital freedoms.

Despite increasing state censorship, the report said, the digital sphere had become a burgeoning space for alternative voices, challenging traditional power structures. At the same time, the declining trust in legacy media had been capitalised on by corporate interests, far-right groups, and elements within the establishment.

The report said that the act of censorship sparked a broader national debate about free speech, underscoring the resilience of Pakistanis' desire to express themselves. The report issued both, a warning and a call to action, highlighting the urgent need to safeguard freedom of expression in an increasingly controlled environment.