Midterm Assessment

Group B
3/10/2021

The state of state-controlled media

Pakistani journalist, Mazhar Abbas, says he has never seen a government respect freedom of
expression. “Every regime tries to suppress it – it is just a matter of how much,” he adds.1
Historically, Pakistan has faced media censorship many times. The most prominent era of media
censorship was during the rule of Zia Ul Haq (1977 to 1988). With the implementation of martial
law, the government took an active involvement in what was published in newspapers and what
was shown on television. Provincial governments were asked to enforce the pre-publication and
broadcast censorship through their administrations. 2

Publications were checked for any criticism against the government and were only approved to
be published if such content was not detected. Television network PTV had script editors
checking the scripts of every programme. Religious shows started to replace drama serials and
other entertainment programmes.3

Many journalists were punished under Martial Law regulations number 5 and number 33 for
going against state interests. Fewer female commentators and hosts started to appear on TV, and
the ones who continued their work were made to cloth more modestly for example, as the
famous show host of Apni Baat, Mahtab Rashdi who was told to cover her head when she
refused to do so, the channel had no other choice but to let go of her.

During Pervez Musharraf’s era (1999-2008), the media was given the liberty to practice freedom
of speech through policies that implemented lesser restrictions and manipulation of media.
However, the on-ground experience for the journalist was quite the opposite. Journalists face
violence, intimidation, harassment, and threats by the authorities who abuse their power,
especially from corrupt public servants and terrorist groups. Criticism and opposition leader’s
interviews were also censored by the government.

1
https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/toothless-and-terrified-the-state-of-pakistans-media/
2
https://www.dawn.com/news/1179170
3
https://www.dawn.com/news/1179170
Today, under the rule of Prime Minister Imran Khan, we might think that all these are the tales of
the past and that now we live in a democratic society where freedom of speech and press is
practiced. When Imran Khan met Donald Trump during a visit to Washington, he was asked a
question about media freedom in Pakistan, to which he said that he thinks his country's media is
freer than the British media. But how true is that?

In Pakistan, no matter what era you belong to, being a journalist is a dangerous field of work. We
may claim to be a democratic state, but the leaders have shown to abuse their power when
opposed or criticized. From receiving threat calls from unknown numbers to abduction, the
journalists of Pakistan have experienced it all. Journalist Fakhar Yousafzai said that as time is
passing the media censorship in Pakistan is increasing. Newspapers, televisions, and even social
media face censorship. Many Twitter account owners are pressurized to deactivate their
accounts.

Before the elections, Imran Khan was also very vocal about disappearances and missing people in the
country. He said, "If the agencies pick up any human being, then it's either me or them." Despite this
claim, we see many journalists at risk in Pakistan. Financial regulatory agency employee, Sajid Gondal,
“disappeared” when his name surfaced in a report against the prime minister’s aide Lt. Gen. (retd) Asim
Bajwa’s corruption. Then there were police complaints against journalists Bilal Farooqi, Asad Toor, and
Absar Alam for criticizing “state institutions” in social media posts. 4 In the very recent case of the gang
rape on the motorway of Lahore, the authorities banned media coverage.

According to Freedom Network report 7 journalists and a blogger were murdered, 6 went missing, and 15
were sued with legal cases, among a total of 135 "violations against media practitioners."
Pakistani Journalist Sabin Agha in an interview talks about the threats faced by Journalists. She says
"Being a journalist is dangerous. You have to decide whether you want to go missing or you want to be
alive. Then you make a compromise and you make red lines and tell yourself not to cross these red lines."
5

Financial pressure is also put on media companies by the government in an attempt of enforcing
censorship has led to extensive self-censorship by journalists and editors. This pressure has put the press

4
https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/toothless-and-terrified-the-state-of-pakistans-media/
5
https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/toothless-and-terrified-the-state-of-pakistans-media/
in chains. Media houses have become concussion about not offending the authorities or it may result in
financial loss. Journalist Shahzeb Jillani says by cutting down the government's media spending,
withholding newsprints, and pulling out official tenders, notices, and advertisements, the government has
severely bruised the media houses. That eventually has led to downsizing and pay cuts across media
companies and shutting down of publications such as the Herald and news channels like Waqt. The
Karachi Union of Journalists estimates that over 3,000 media workers lost their jobs in 2019. 6

The founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam said, "I expect media for complete fearless." Unfortunately, the
media in Pakistan has been unsuccessful in appreciating the aim of Quaid-e-Azam. The leaders of
Pakistan today. Unfortunately, the leaders of Pakistan have spent more time and effort in eliminating the
critics than eliminating the problem. In a democratic society, a Pakistani should be able to point out where
the government is lacking fearlessly. A journalist works for the interest of the public, broadcasts the
concerns of the citizens, and holds the government accountable. They provide a bridge between the
leaders and their people and help convey their voices. The state needs to stop taking every criticism as
"you're either with us or against us" and start working for the interest of the people of Pakistan.

The Government of Pakistan should invest more money into the media so Pakistani have a better
representation worldwide and are able to convey first handed narrative of Pakistan just like Qatar and
Turkey have invested in media giants AlJazeera and TRT.

6
https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/toothless-and-terrified-the-state-of-pakistans-media/