The President and Prime Minister reaffirm their commitment to press freedom on World Press Freedom Day

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to press freedom on World Press Freedom Day, highlighting the importance of responsible journalism, truth and media ethics.

In his message, President Zardari said that Pakistan, as a State, remained firmly committed to freedom of the press as a constitutional guarantee and democratic necessity.

He extended his greetings to journalists, editors, media workers and media professionals in Pakistan and around the world, noting that this year’s theme, “Shaping a Peaceful Future”, underlined that peace cannot be built without truth, and that truth depends on those who have the courage and integrity to seek, verify and present it.

He said the challenges facing press freedom were immense, adding that misinformation eroded public trust while disinformation distorted democratic discourse. He said artificial intelligence held both promise and risk, while journalists around the world continued to face harassment, legal intimidation, economic pressure and physical danger.

Read: Prime Minister renews commitment to the protection, security and independence of media and journalists on World Press Freedom Day

He further said that powerful global media, especially social media, with the help of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology, were promoting jingoistic, xenophobic, racist, populist, fascist and “might is right” agendas. He said tech giants that owned social media platforms looked down on nation states and attempted to manufacture consent, often against workers and oppressed nations, through algorithmic interventions. He added that the free press was increasingly threatened by non-state actors, including technology giants and large companies.

President Zardari said that Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan guaranteed the right to freedom of the press subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law, while Article 19-A, added under the 18th Amendment, guaranteed the right of the people to know. He said a free, independent and diverse media was not a threat to a secure nation, but proof of it.

He said accountability, transparency and open investigation were the foundation of democracy, adding that freedom also comes with responsibility. He stressed that accuracy should not be sacrificed for speed and that balance should not give way to partisanship, while public trust must be earned and protected.

He also said that deliberate campaigns of falsehood directed at Pakistan sought to sow division and weaken national cohesion. Referring to May 2025, he said that when aggression was directed against Pakistan, the nation stood united during Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, the Unbreakable Wall. He said Pakistani media also stood firm against misinformation, responding with facts and clarity, and helping to maintain a credible information environment.

He paid tribute to journalists who lost their lives in search of the truth, especially in conflict zones, and urged the federal and provincial governments to ensure enabling laws and a safe environment for journalists. He also called on media institutions to respect ethical standards and urged citizens to reject falsehood and support credible journalism.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Shehbaz, in his message, reaffirmed his government’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting freedom of the press, while ensuring a conducive environment for the functioning of the media.

Read more: Prime Minister promises to defend press freedom

He expressed gratitude to journalists, columnists, reporters, editors, broadcasters and all media workers for their services, saying that conscientious professionalism was essential for an informed society.

He said the timely dissemination of accurate, unbiased and unbiased information remained the cornerstone of credible journalism. He added that journalists had a responsibility to uphold professional ethics by countering propaganda, fake news and unverified information, and said they were custodians of professional standards and social values.

The Prime Minister said this year’s theme, “Shaping a Peaceful Future,” reflects the importance of credible reporting and responsible journalism in building sustainable peace. He said the media had immense potential to promote constructive engagement and strengthen diplomatic, economic and social ties between nations.

He said Pakistan is a peace-loving country that prioritizes dialogue and negotiation to resolve differences and conflicts. He added that Pakistan continued to play a positive role in promoting de-escalation, dialogue and stability, and said its constructive efforts had been recognized by the international media.

He noted that during critical moments including Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, national media demonstrated responsibility by contributing to unity, countering misinformation and presenting Pakistan’s position clearly and accurately.

He paid tribute to journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty and described freedom of the press as a precious and invaluable asset.

He said the media landscape was evolving rapidly and digital platforms were shaping public opinion globally. He stressed that media institutions must adapt to digital transformation quickly and responsibly.

Also read: Free press is vital for democracy: Shafi Jan

He warned that fake news and coordinated disinformation campaigns posed a threat to national cohesion and global credibility, and urged journalists to uphold verification, integrity and professionalism so that speed never came at the cost of truth.

He said the media played a vital role in promoting national unity and highlighting public issues, adding that the government would continue to support freedom of the press so that the media could fulfill its responsibilities with truth and integrity.