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CWA # 2140, 11 June 2026
Global Politics Review: WPF Report 2026
Pakistan and Press Freedom:

  Nithin V
Nithin V is a postgraduate student in International Relations, with an interest in geopolitics, international political economy, and climate governance. He is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru. 

On 30 April, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released the World Press Freedom Index on the state of media freedom globally. According to the report, Pakistan has been ranked 153 out of 180 countries. Though the country has improved its 2025 position from 158, it does not indicate positive conditions for press freedom in the country. With nearly 100 television channels and more than 200 radio stations, the country is considered to be one of the most active and diverse media landscapes in South Asia. Though Urdu newspapers enjoy wider public readership among the majority of the population, newspapers published in English are influential among urban and political elites. Digital journalism through social media platforms and independent online news portals is widely popular among younger audiences. 

The following are the four key takeaways of Pakistan’s press freedom environment brought out by the RSF’s assessment.

1. Security institutions continue to strongly influence the media environment
The most important observation of the RSF report underscores the influence of the military and security establishment over journalism and public discourse. Reporting on civil-military relations, notably criticisms of the military, insurgencies, enforced disappearances, terrorism, religious extremism, etc., are met with pressure and intimidation. Enforced disappearances and investigations into military affairs often remain under-reported because state and non-state actors threaten journalists. This reveals a restrictive and fearful atmosphere of press freedom. Further, state authorities restrict media freedom on national security grounds, which weakens both democratic accountability and press freedom.

2. Cyber laws and digital regulations are becoming new tools of media control
The report highlights the wider use of cyber laws and digital regulations to control public discourse. Apart from the media restrictions on newspapers and television channels, there is growing pressure on social media spaces, online platforms, and digital journalism as a whole. The state targets journalists, activists, and political critics under the provisions of the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), justified as legislation to control misinformation and protect national security. On grounds of cyber regulations, journalists and online commentators often face investigations, arrests and harassment alongside internet shutdowns and restrictions on social media platforms during politically sensitive periods. The state strictly surveils digital spaces and persistent internet shutdowns and restrictions on online communications impede press freedom. 

3. Political instability and economic vulnerability continue to weaken media independence
The report identifies a strong correlation between political instability and media restrictions in Pakistan. Journalists and media organizations are often subjected to political pressure and coercion over reports on political protests, elections and confrontation between political actors. Further, economic vulnerability plagues Pakistani media as many media houses depend heavily government advertising. This risks the weakening of editorial independence, particularly for smaller, independent. Considering the above facts and viewpoints, we believe that elections and democratic institutions alone cannot ensure media freedom. 

4. Younger audiences are reshaping Pakistan’s media environment
The report reveals a growing shift among younger audiences toward digital and social media platforms, away from traditional television and print media. This is due to the decline in trust in mainstream media and increased restrictions on conventional news spaces, opening the scope for public debate and access to political information. Digital journalism has become popular especially among the urban youth, due to the opportunity for participation and witnessing of less-controlled and more diverse political discussions. 
The government has also shifted its attention to online spaces and is gradually extending cyber regulations and surveillance of digital journalism. 


References:
“Pakistan,” Reporters Without Borders, 30 April 2026 

“RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025: Economic Fragility a Leading Threat to Press Freedom,” Reporters Without Borders (RSF), 02 May 2025 

“‘Media faced extreme punitive actions in 2025’,” Dawn, 01 January 2026

“2026 already this century’s worst year for the press: RSF report,” Dawn, 02 May 2026

“Pakistan Media Monitor – December 2025,” Freedom Network Pakistan (FNPK), 06 January 2026
  
“Pakistani journalists rally against law regulating social media,” Reuters, 28 January 2025

“Pakistan Media Monitor – November 2025,” Freedom Network Pakistan (FNPK), 04 December 2025 

“The Role of Mobile Media in Political Journalism in Pakistan,” Taylor & Francis Online, 2025 

“Pakistan slides two places in RSF’s press freedom index,” Dawn, 03 May 2024

 

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