RMNP Marks 25th Consecutive World Press Freedom Day Round Table, Raises Alarm Over Growing Curbs on Regional Media

Speakers express concern over PECA cases, media polarization, economic pressure on local newspapers, and complicated registration process for rural press clubs

Rural Media Network Pakistan (RMNP) marked the silver jubilee of its World Press Freedom Day Round Table by holding its 25th consecutive annual dialogue on media freedom, where journalists, media representatives, and political speakers voiced serious concern over increasing restrictions on independent journalism, the growing use of PECA laws, and the deteriorating condition of regional and local media outlets in Pakistan.

The round table, organized by RMNP in collaboration with Daily Nawa-I-Ahmedpur Sharqia and Ahmedpur Union of Journalists Workers (AUJW) at Punjab College AhmedpurEast, brought together representatives of press clubs from AhmedpurEast, Liaquatpur, Uch Sharif, Chani Goth, and Nowshera Jadid along with senior journalists from Bahawalpur and Rahimyarkhan districts. The discussion focused on the theme “Shrinking Space for Independent Journalism in Pakistan” and the sub-theme “Economic Pressures, Changing Media Models, and the Wider Media Crisis.” Key challenges facing independent journalism and evolving media dynamics were deliberated in detail.

Participants observed that, like Pakistani society, the country’s media landscape has also become deeply polarized because of divisions among media unions and media groups, resulting in the unresolved problems of journalists. Speakers stressed that despite repeated demands by media organizations, the government did not withdraw the controversial amendments introduced under Section 26-A of the PECA law.

During the presidential address, RMNP President Ehsan Ahmed Sehar stated that Pakistan’s media environment came under intensified pressure during 2025 due to new legal measures, economic coercion, and targeted actions against journalists, contributing to a measurable decline in press freedom. He said journalists continue to face safety threats, economic insecurity, and increasing restrictions on independent reporting, while impunity for crimes against journalists remains a serious challenge.

Highlighting the misuse of cybercrime legislation, he informed the round table that 187 cases were registered under PECA laws during the previous year, involving 180 men and 21 women. He clarified that journalists do not support irresponsible or unchecked freedom of expression, but regretted that media stakeholders were not taken into confidence before introducing major legislation affecting the press.

Participants of the round table expressed deep concern that regional and local newspapers are increasingly facing self-censorship because of economic and administrative pressures. It was alleged that regulatory mechanisms are being used to remove regional newspapers from central media lists, depriving them of eligibility for government advertisements and threatening their survival. Speakers demanded that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif take immediate notice of the situation.

The forum observed that while local media outlets in Europe, America, and Canada are being encouraged and strengthened, government information departments in Pakistan are allegedly moving in the opposite direction by marginalizing small and rural newspapers.

Another major concern raised during the discussion was the increasingly difficult and complicated registration process for press clubs, which participants said resembles NGO-style scrutiny and procedures. Speakers noted that many small-town and rural press clubs are unable to complete registration formalities, depriving them of official recognition and government support. The round table demanded that the government simplify the registration process so that press clubs in smaller towns may also become eligible for annual grants and institutional assistance, similar to press clubs in major urban centres.

Former Member Punjab Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Qazi Adnan Farid, while addressing the gathering as Key-note Speaker , said media freedom is closely linked with economic stability. He termed it encouraging that Pakistan’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index improved compared to India. He maintained that digital media regulation is being implemented worldwide and Pakistan has also introduced legislation in this context. He added that journalists should not feel threatened by such laws if they are used responsibly.

Guest speaker Makhdoom Syed Nasar Hussain Bukhari senior Vice President Pakistan Muslim league Punjab emphasized that free journalism is indispensable for democracy and praised Pakistani journalists for their courage and commitment, especially regional journalists working under difficult conditions while representing marginalized communities.

PML-Functional Punjab senior leader Makhdoom Syed Nasar Hussain Bukhari speaks at the RMNP World Press Freedom Day Round Table held at Punjab College. Ehsan Ahmed Sehar and Qazi Adnan Farid are also seen on stage.

Earlier, Hamidullah Khan Aziz presented RMNP’s annual press freedom report, while messages received from major international organisations and media experts were also distributed during the session.

Among those who spoke on the occasion included Rashid Aziz Hashmi, Wafa Saleem Taskin, Shahid Bashir Chaudhry, Irshad Ahmad Shad, Malik Asif Awan, Syed Azhar Ali Rizvi, Khadim Hussain Somro, Ahmad Khan Babar, Ahmad Ali Chaudhry, Khadim Hussain Shaheen, Yousaf Ghani Qureshi, Jamshed Iqbal Bhatti, Imran Akbar Khan, Syed Waheed Abbas Bukhari, Shabbir Qureshi, Rashid Mahmood Channar, Zubair Farooqi, Ejaz Ahmad Khan, Abdul Hafeez Anjum,Malik Muhammad Sajjad, Shah Wali Khan and other senior journalists and media representatives.

Qazi Adnan Farid, Makhdoom Syed Nasar Hussain Bukhari and Ehsan Ahmed Sehar address the Silver Jubilee World Press Freedom Day Round Table organized by RMNP in collaboration with AUJ Workers and Digital Nawa-I-Ahmedpur Sharqia.