Call to safeguard ethical journalism in changing threat landscape at event to mark World Press Freedom Day
Dawn Editor Zaffar Abbas speaks during the final session: “Surrender is not an option”, in conversation with IBA-CEJ Director Shahzeb Jillani. Photo: CEJ-IBA
Journalists and media staff warned Saturday that threats to journalism were increasingly moving from physical violence to legal, regulatory and economic pressures.
At an event organized by the Center for Excellence in Journalism (IBA-CEJ) at the Institute of Business Administration Karachi ahead of World Press Freedom Day, speakers said that in an era marked by misinformation and self-censorship, public interest journalism was more vital than ever to promote accountability and ensure an informed society.
Opening the event, IBA-CEJ director Shahzeb Jillani said the meeting was taking place at a “critical time for press freedom globally”, a concern also highlighted by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in its Press Freedom Index, which described 2026 as the worst year since records began.
Read: Press freedom in Pakistan faces sharp decline
“We celebrate this event at a critical time, when press freedom is at its lowest point around the world. However, we are here to renew our commitment to public interest journalism, to report the truth boldly, but also to keep each other safe while holding power to account,” he said.
In the closing session titled “Surrender is not an option”, Zaffar Abbas, editor of Dawn Media Group, spoke about the need to defend editorial independence despite increasing pressures.
“I still believe that giving up is not an option. If you are not able to stand up for what you believe in, then it would be better to resign and return home,” he said.
“Serving society through writing, broadcasting and filming is a powerful way to let people know what is wrong, so they can make informed decisions. If we continue to do that, we can make a difference,” he added.
He also highlighted that true editorial independence required reducing dependence on government and private advertising.
During a roundtable on journalist safety titled “Shooting the Messenger: The Price We Pay,” Iqbal Khattak, CEO of Freedom Network, identified regulatory repression as a major emerging threat.
Speakers Iqbal Khattak, Adil Jawad and PFUJ President Shahzada Zulfiqar speak during the panel “Shooting the Messenger: The Price We Pay”, moderated by Nadia Naqi. Photo: CEJ-IBA
“Economic strangulation and abuse of cyber laws have emerged as a tactic to silence dissent and punish critics,” he said.
Panelist Adil Jawad highlighted the growing vulnerability of digital journalists and noted an increasing focus on controlling narratives on online platforms.
“There is an increasing focus on controlling the narrative on social and digital media. More and more digital journalists are being targeted by PECA, often because they lack training on how to stay safe,” he said.
Journalists Sidra Dar, Kiran Khan and Yusra Askari speak during the panel “Reporting from the field? Navigating everyday trolling, pressures and restrictions”, moderated by Shahzeb Ahmed. Photo: CEJ-IBA
The panel also featured former Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists president Shahzada Zulfiqar, who spoke about the challenges of reporting from Balochistan and described the province as an information “black hole.” The session was moderated by Nadia Naqi.
In the main session, Osama Bin Javaid, senior correspondent of Al Jazeerapaid tribute to journalists working in conflict zones.
“Press freedom around the world is owed to Gaza’s journalists on World Press Freedom Day,” he said during his talk titled “History’s Eyewitness: Reporting on War and Genocide.”
In a separate panel on the challenges faced by women journalists, titled “Reporting from the field? Navigating everyday trolling, pressures and restrictions”, reporters Sidra Dar, Kiran Khan and Yusra Askari participated. The session was moderated by Shahzeb Ahmed.
Panelists speak during the session on journalist safety, titled “Shooting the Messenger: The Price We Pay,” moderated by Nadia Naqi. Photo: CEJ-IBA
Offering advice on how to deal with online abuse, the moderator said: “Develop a thick skin to not let the trolling get to you, move on, but also know when to pause and take a step back.”
Reflecting on the impact of journalism, Kiran said, “Your voice can be so powerful that their pain reaches people and compels them to take meaningful action.”
Speakers throughout the event emphasized that as methods of suppressing journalism become more sophisticated, defending ethical, independent, public interest journalism has become more urgent than ever.
