Parliament Approves Stronger Journalist Protection Law Amid Growing Press Freedom Concerns

Islamabad: In a significant development for media freedom in Pakistan, Parliament has approved amendments to the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021, strengthening legal safeguards for journalists and media professionals across the country. The amended law aims to provide greater protection against threats, intimidation, harassment and violence faced by journalists while performing their professional duties. The legislation comes at a time when Pakistan continues to face growing concerns over press freedom and the safety of media workers.

The Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, first enacted in 2021, was designed to establish a legal and institutional framework for protecting journalists and promoting their right to work independently and safely. The latest amendments further strengthen this framework by expanding the powers and responsibilities of the Independent Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals, which will receive complaints, investigate attacks on journalists, monitor cases of harassment and intimidation, and recommend legal action against those responsible.

Under the amended law, any person who threatens, intimidates, coerces, harasses or commits violence against a journalist because of his or her professional work can face criminal proceedings. The legislation specifically states that threatening, coercive, abusive or violent acts intended to undermine the integrity and independence of journalists will be investigated by the Commission. Following investigations, the Commission will ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted while aggrieved journalists have access to effective legal remedies. The law also seeks to combat the long-standing culture of impunity by requiring prompt, impartial and effective investigations into attacks on journalists.

Another important safeguard introduced by the legislation is the protection of journalists’ confidential sources. The law prohibits compelling journalists to disclose information about their sources except in circumstances permitted under the law. This provision is considered particularly important for investigative journalism, where confidential sources often play a key role in exposing corruption, abuse of authority and matters of public interest.

The amended law also provides legal assistance for journalists who cannot afford representation. Where necessary, the Commission may refer an aggrieved journalist’s case to the relevant authority to ensure free legal aid is provided. In addition, the Commission has been empowered to monitor patterns of violence against journalists, coordinate with relevant institutions and recommend policy measures aimed at improving media safety throughout the country.

The amendments come at a critical time for Pakistan’s media landscape. Journalists across the country continue to report facing physical attacks, arbitrary arrests, legal harassment, online abuse, censorship and intimidation while covering issues related to politics, governance, human rights, corruption and security. According to Freedom Network’s Impunity Report 2025, at least 142 attacks and violations against journalists and media professionals were documented between November 2024 and September 2025, representing an increase of nearly 60 percent compared with the previous reporting period. The report states that the environment for journalists has become increasingly hostile since the 2024 general elections, with incidents reported from all provinces and territories.

The violations documented by Freedom Network include physical assaults, arrests, legal cases, threats, online harassment, censorship, restrictions on media organizations and attacks on press freedom. The report also highlights that accountability for crimes against journalists remains limited, with many cases failing to result in timely investigations or convictions, contributing to a persistent culture of impunity.

Pakistan’s international standing on press freedom also reflects these challenges. According to the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Pakistan ranks 153rd out of 180 countries, improving slightly from 158th position in 2025. Despite this improvement, Pakistan continues to fall within the category of countries facing a “very serious” press freedom situation. The index cites intimidation, violence, arbitrary detention, legal restrictions and increasing pressure on independent journalism as major factors affecting media freedom in the country.

Against this backdrop, the passage of the amended Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act represents one of the most significant legislative efforts in recent years to improve the safety of journalists and strengthen institutional accountability for attacks against media professionals. By reinforcing legal protections, safeguarding confidential sources, expanding access to legal assistance and empowering an independent commission to investigate violations, the legislation seeks to create a safer environment for journalists to perform their constitutional role without fear of threats or violence.

While the passage of the law marks an important milestone, its effectiveness will ultimately depend on implementation. The real test will be whether attacks on journalists are investigated promptly, perpetrators are held accountable and the legal protections provided under the Act are translated into meaningful safety and security for media professionals across Pakistan. If effectively enforced, the amendments could become a significant step towards strengthening press freedom, protecting journalists and upholding the public’s right to information in Pakistan.