THE growing censorship and restriction on journalists in Pakistan is a serious issue. Recently, two well-known journalists were taken off air under external pressure. As a media student, I am deeply concerned about these events.
Journalists perform the important duty of exposing injustice and corruption, informing the people, questioning those in power, and allowing open discussion. But when news channels fail to support their own journalists and give in to outside pressure, whether from the government or powerful individuals, they damage not only the careers of these journalists, but also the trust the people have in the media.
Why do news organisations not stand with their own journalists and leave them alone in difficult times? This is the main question that we must be asking ourselves. If this trend continues, journalists will begin to censor themselves, fearing punishment for simply telling the truth. This is a dangerous situation for press freedom in Pakistan.
It is time for media organisations to take responsibility and protect their journalists. Freedom of the press should never be compromised.
The people of Pakistan syrely deserve a media that is professionally brave, independent and dedicated to the truth.
Wasif Khaliq Dad
Rawalpindi
Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2025
