Pakistan’s first media impunity index highlights rising threats to journalists

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first-ever Media Impunity Index — a comprehensive analysis of federal and provincial measures to counter crimes against journalists — was launched in line with the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI), highlighting the ongoing threats media professionals faced in Pakistan in 2024.

The index assesses legislative and policy initiatives aimed at enhancing journalist safety. Despite some legislative progress at the federal and Sindh levels, the report, released by Freedom Network, reveals a significant implementation gap as key safety commissions remain inactive.

In this inaugural ranking, Sindh leads with a commendable nine out of ten points for its advancements in journalist protection, followed by the federal government with eight points. In contrast, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan scored only two points each, reflecting limited efforts, mainly in drafting safety laws and initiating consultations. Punjab ranks at the bottom, earning just one point for its minimal actions.

Escalating Dangers for Journalists in 2024

Freedom Network’s impunity report 2024 highlights a troubling increase in violence against journalists, with six fatalities — including one YouTuber — and 57 recorded violations across the country. In response to some of these cases, courts provided relief to journalists facing legal persecution, often at the behest of state actors.

While safety laws like the Sindh Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners Bill (2021) and the federal Protection of Journalist and Media Professional Act (2021) are steps toward safeguarding journalists, weak implementation leaves them vulnerable.

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“The lack of political commitment and resources has left journalists unprotected,” said Freedom Network Executive Director Iqbal Khattak at the report launch.

The report breaks down the regional distribution of violations: Sindh reported the highest incidence, with 37 percent (21 out of 57 cases, including three murders), followed by Punjab at 23 percent (13 cases). Islamabad ranked third with 21 percent of violations (12 cases), while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported seven cases (12 percent), and Balochistan recorded the lowest with 3.5 percent (two cases).

TV journalists were the most frequently targeted, accounting for 53 percent of incidents, followed by print journalists (35 percent), digital journalists (10 percent), and radio journalists (2 percent). Women made up 9 percent of the journalists affected.

The report also identified key threat actors, with government officials allegedly responsible for 47 percent of the violations, followed by political parties at 12 percent, with other incidents involving various known and unknown entities.