HARIPUR: Civic freedom and democratic governance are closely linked to each other but both are unachievable unless there was freedom of press in the country. However, content shared through social media forums should be balanced and as per the ethics of journalism.

This was the gist of the speeches by senior journalists and development experts at a capacity- building workshop titled “empowering media for civic engagement and democracy” jointly organised by Human Development Organisation (HDO), Haripur Union of Journalists (HUJ), Haripur Press Club and Integrated Human Rights Network here on Sunday.

The PFUJ secretary general, Shakil Ahmed, president Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists Tariq Usmani, president HUJ, Sadaqat Hasan, president HPC Zakir Tanoli, director programme HDO, Muhammad Ahsan Khan, , senior journalist Masood Chowdry and joint secretary PFUJ Madni Ijaz Jadoon were prominent among those who spoke to the participants.

The speakers said that freedom of expression, assembly and association were the rights not only guaranteed under the UN’s human rights treaties, but the Constitution of Pakistan also provided assurance for the respect of those civic freedoms.

“But these civic liberties, that are prerequisite for a true liberal democracy, are possible only once the media is free from undue restrictions”, they stressed. Talking about the restrictions on media, the speakers termed the recent amendments in PECA law an attempt not only to muzzle the press but also aimed at harming the civic freedoms of every citizen, and democracy. They demanded revoking of those sections of the PECA law that limit the constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens.

The media men in their presentation also threw light on the challenges of the fast changing media landscape in the country, especially in the face of growing consumption of digital space and social media. They said that journalists using social media platforms for sharing news and footage should not forget that they were supposed to take the role and responsibilities of a reporter, sub-editor, editor and a producer at the same time.

“So all those job descriptions put responsibilities on their shoulders requiring them to ensure that their content qualifies to be shared within the globally accepted standards of verification, responsibility and journalistic ethics”, they advised.

The PFUJ secretary general said that the PFUJ had already moved the Supreme Court against the recent amendment in PECA and would continue its struggle till those were revoked.

The president RIUJ, threw light on the 75-year struggle of the PFUJ for freedom of press and rights of journalists in the country.

In the end, certificates of participation were distributed among the participants of the workshop.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2025