Press Freedom: Realities, Risks, and the South Asian Struggle

Press Freedom: Realities, Risks, and the South Asian Struggle
By: Asim Siddiqui – Bureau Chief, Washington
May 3 – World Press Freedom Day

“The power of the pen lasts far longer than the power of the gun.”
On World Press Freedom Day, we commemorate the journalists who have sacrificed their safety—and in many cases, their lives—in the pursuit of truth. A free press is the beating heart of any democracy. It informs citizens, exposes wrongdoing, holds the powerful accountable, and fosters transparency.

But around the world, and especially in South Asia, journalism is under siege.
In this region of nearly two billion people, governments, non-state actors, and even legal frameworks are increasingly hostile to media freedom. Censorship, intimidation, economic strangulation, internet blackouts, physical attacks, and imprisonment are routine tactics. In many cases, journalists are forced into exile or silence.
Why Press Freedom Matters
Press freedom is more than a professional ideal—it’s a fundamental human right. According to Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to “seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers.”
A free press:
⦁ Empowers people by providing access to factual, balanced information.
⦁ Promotes justice by exposing abuses of power.
⦁ Defends democracy by holding leaders accountable.
⦁ Gives voice to the marginalized and underrepresented.
When this freedom is suppressed, disinformation thrives, authoritarianism grows, and public trust collapses.
Pakistan: Courage Amidst Crisis
In Pakistan, being a journalist is an increasingly perilous occupation. Though the country has a vibrant media industry, it operates under immense pressure from military, political, and extremist forces.
Notable Cases:
⦁ Arshad Sharif (2022): A leading investigative journalist, Sharif fled the country after threats and multiple sedition charges. He was later killed in Kenya in what was widely condemned as a “targeted assassination.”
⦁ Nasrullah Gadani (2024): Gunned down in Sindh, his killing has been linked to political retaliation, with family members accusing a powerful local politician.
⦁ Khurram Zaki (2016): A vocal critic of sectarianism, Zaki was shot dead in Karachi. The perpetrators remain unknown.
⦁ Athar Mateen (2022): A senior journalist, Mateen was killed while attempting to stop a robbery in Karachi. His death symbolized growing urban insecurity.
⦁ Saleem Shahzad (2011): Abducted and murdered after reporting on links between Pakistani intelligence and militant groups. Many suspect involvement of state elements.
⦁ Hamid Mir: Attacked in 2014 and still under threat, Mir is one of Pakistan’s most renowned journalists. He remains a vocal critic of censorship.
Between 2016 and 2023, dozens of Pakistani journalists faced abductions, threats, cyber harassment, and financial pressure. Media houses too are coerced through advertising blackouts and regulatory sanctions.
India: Democracy at Odds with Dissent
India has long prided itself on its democratic traditions. However, recent years have seen a stark decline in press freedom.
⦁ Gauri Lankesh (2017): An outspoken critic of religious extremism and right-wing nationalism, she was murdered outside her home in Bangalore. The assassination shocked the nation and the world.
⦁ Targeting of independent media: Journalists have been charged with sedition, branded “anti-national,” and arrested for critical reporting.
⦁ Kashmir: After the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, internet shutdowns, press blockades, and surveillance have become common. Local reporters work under near-military control.
⦁ Raids on media houses: Outlets like The Wire, BBC India, and Newsclick have faced tax raids, police action, and defamation lawsuits, all seen as attempts to stifle dissent.
Despite these challenges, Indian journalists continue to resist—with courage and integrity—often at great personal risk.
Bangladesh: Journalism Under Legal Siege
In Bangladesh, the Digital Security Act (DSA)—passed in 2018—has emerged as a powerful weapon against the press.
⦁ Mushtaq Ahmed (2021): The writer and activist was jailed under the DSA for social media posts critical of the government. He died in custody, sparking national and international outrage.
⦁ Blocked websites and censorship: Numerous online portals have been blocked for reporting unfavorably on corruption, governance, or human rights.
⦁ Fear of reprisal: Journalists regularly self-censor, fearing arrest or worse. Investigative journalism has all but vanished in many regions.
While Bangladesh’s economic progress is often praised, it comes at the cost of shrinking civic space and press freedom.
Afghanistan: Journalism on the Brink
Following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, Afghanistan’s media sector has crumbled under repression.
⦁ Women journalists have been barred from working or forced into hiding. Many have fled the country.
⦁ Media outlets have been shut down, and journalists beaten, jailed, or disappeared for reporting on Taliban policies, women’s rights, or social issues.
⦁ RSF ranks Afghanistan near the bottom of the global press freedom index, describing the country as “a nightmare for reporters.”
Afghan journalists who remain are some of the bravest in the world—risking their lives to share the truth.

2024 World Press Freedom Index (Reporters Without Borders):
Country Ranking (out of 180)
Pakistan 150
India 161
Bangladesh 165
Afghanistan 178
These rankings reflect not just numbers—but the invisible walls surrounding free speech in the region.

The Path Forward: What Can Be Done?
⦁ Legal Reform: Repressive laws like the DSA and colonial-era sedition laws must be repealed or amended.
⦁ International Solidarity: Human rights groups, foreign governments, and global media must pressure South Asian states to uphold press freedom.
⦁ Support Independent Media: Citizens must support and subscribe to independent journalism—online and offline.
⦁ Digital Safety & Training: Journalists must be trained in digital security, especially in repressive environments.
⦁ Impunity Must End: Killings and attacks on journalists must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.

In Closing
Journalism is not a crime. It is the backbone of a free society. In South Asia, this profession has become one of the most dangerous, yet most essential.
When a journalist is killed or silenced, society loses a piece of its conscience.
On this World Press Freedom Day, let us reaffirm our commitment:
Stand with journalists. Defend the truth. Protect press freedom—before it becomes history.