Seventy-two documented instances of physical attacks on journalists and media professionals including two killings of journalists, 62 instances of manhandling or injuries, three instances of kidnappings or abductions, three instances of raids, and two detentions have been recorded with the warning that the situation could only worsen as the nation heads for a contentious national election later this year.

This being a review of press freedom, the PPF skips the continuing economic distress that afflicts the media practitioners, predominantly salaried middle-class people who work amidst threats to their families.

Journalists were threatened in at least 20 instances, and the trolling, harassment, and abuse of journalists online also continued.

All governments and their institutions in Pakistan have a record of gagging the media even as the political class polarises them, questioning their neutrality.

Pakistan’s social norms encourage sexism from the highest level, which hurts women practitioners.

In woman TV reporter Sadaf Naeem’s case – she was felled from the platform from where former prime minister Imran Khan was staging his protest – Khan himself accused her of trying to do what he considered “men’s job.” Such attacks also came from his lady political rival, Maryam Nawaz.

The Shehbaz Government used PEMRA, the official media regulator, to ban newspapers and TV channels and to issue gag orders on the coverage of events and individuals. 

PPF says the “political instability and polarisation” have intensified since the Khan government was voted out in April 2022.

“A charged political environment and polarization” has ‘unfortunately’, resulted in attacks on media safety and press freedom. 

Physical attacks at political rallies, the registration of cases and arrests of journalists, loaded rhetoric used to attack critical journalists, and state-mandated regulations cut off the media's ability to cover critical developments, the PPF says.

Journalist Arshad Sharif was killed in Kenya after he fled Pakistan and moved to Dubai.

The Kenyan authorities that called it a road accident, have since refused to cooperate with Pakistan’s investigators.

PPF says this “should serve as a turning point for media safety in Pakistan.”

Those arrested due to their work include anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan, who was arrested twice and Bol News journalist Shahid Aslam, who was arrested in connection with a data leak of information regarding former army chief, Gen. Bajwa. ARY News head Ammad Yousaf was arrested without warrants, and his privacy rights were violated. 

On March 20, the Lahore High Court annulled Section 124-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) concerning sedition.

Media organisations and individual scribes became special targets for harassment and attacks at many rallies and protests held by Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek I Insaf (PTI).

“Multiple journalists were injured in April, and May 2022, and TV vans of various networks were damaged, " the PPF noted.

“The callous attitude of the political leadership at a time when political divisions are rife is dangerous for the safety of the media and press freedom. Such rhetoric is not without impact and is likely to alienate the public from the media, create certain impressions, and undermine the media's credibility. In other cases, it can justify acts of violence or ignite such attacks,” the PPF report says.

In the case of women journalists, rhetoric by key political figures is based on personal attacks and character assassination of women in the media, similar to the online trolling and harassment they face.

Khan’s claim that News One anchor Gharida Farooqi was “asking for abuse by entering male-dominated spaces” is a dangerous statement implying fault lies with a woman when she faces harassment.

The PPF fears that “with general elections expected in 2023, the impact of political polarisation on media safety and press freedom is of grave concern. Media's role is even more vital during a period of political transition, particularly for elections which require rigorous reporting and accountability.

It emphasises that “The media must be able to report on critical developments in the country without the fear of reprisal, including physical attacks, threats or legal proceedings, state-mandated prohibition or the use of political rhetoric focussed on character assassination.”