Islamabad, Jan 24 (NationPress) Journalists in Pakistan have faced escalating threats and intimidation in recent years due to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act related to their online reporting. They are also encountering criminal defamation lawsuits initiated by government officials or private individuals. Those reporting on protests, political movements, and sensitive regional topics are particularly vulnerable, facing risks that range from harassment to physical violence, according to a recent report.

The report published in ‘Journalism Pakistan’ indicates that press clubs and journalist unions have documented numerous incidents of reporters being attacked while covering protests or briefly detained during security operations.

“These incidents frequently lack transparent investigations, fostering a sense of impunity,” the report highlighted.

Women journalists, in particular, have reported “additional forms of intimidation, especially online. Coordinated harassment, threats, and efforts to undermine their professional credibility are prevalent, especially for those covering politics, human rights, or religious issues. While digital abuse is a global concern, local journalists indicate that it is often exacerbated by polarized political rhetoric within Pakistan,” the report added.

The report emphasizes that press freedom in Pakistan operates under a restrictive framework influenced by legal controls, security pressures, economic coercion, and digital limitations. As of 2026, journalists continue to function in an environment where constitutional protections for free speech coexist with laws and practices that inhibit reporting on powerful entities, national security, and religious subjects.

“The legal landscape in Pakistan is extensive, including statutes on defamation, anti-terrorism provisions, blasphemy laws, and cybercrime regulations,” the report stated.

Due to legal, security, and economic constraints, self-censorship has become a pervasive practice in Pakistani newsrooms.

“Editors consistently weigh the potential ramifications of publishing specific stories against the public interest of the information. Decisions to moderate language, withhold names, or delay publication are commonly framed as necessary risk management,” the report emphasized.

“This climate has long-standing effects on public dialogue. When sensitive subjects receive limited or cautious coverage, audiences may resort to unverified sources or social media rumors. Journalists caution that ongoing self-censorship diminishes trust in professional media and restricts the space for fact-based discussions,” it noted.

The report also pointed out that conditions for press freedom vary significantly across Pakistan, with journalists in the provinces of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and certain parts of Sindh facing greater risks than their counterparts in major urban areas.

It further explained that these disparities are driven by limited access to legal resources, fewer media organizations, and increased security operations.

“Local reporters in remote districts often operate without formal contracts or institutional support, heightening their vulnerability. When incidents occur, national attention may be sparse, and accountability mechanisms can be sluggish or ineffective. These regional discrepancies underscore the unequal distribution of press protections throughout the nation,” the report concluded.