Pakistan reaffirms press freedom commitment as global rankings improve

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan marked World Press Freedom Day on Sunday with renewed official commitments to safeguarding journalists and strengthening responsible journalism, as the latest global press freedom rankings showed the country moving ahead of India in the annual index released by Reporters Without Borders.

In its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, RSF ranked Pakistan at 153rd out of 180 countries, placing it four spots ahead of neighboring India, which slipped to 157th, down six places from last year.

The annual index evaluates media freedom across political, legal, economic, socio-cultural and safety indicators.

The latest ranking comes as Pakistan observes World Press Freedom Day under the global theme, “Shaping a Future at Peace,” with the country’s top leadership reaffirming constitutional protections for free expression and pledging stronger safeguards for media professionals.

President Asif Ali Zardari said press freedom remains central to democratic governance and national stability, stressing that peace and truth are deeply interconnected.

“Peace cannot be built without truth and in the modern world, truth depends on those who have the courage and integrity to seek it, verify it and bring it to light,” the president said in his message issued on World Press Freedom Day.

He acknowledged the growing pressures facing journalists globally, including misinformation, disinformation, economic coercion and physical threats, while warning that digital platforms and artificial intelligence have intensified challenges to factual reporting.

'Firmly committed'

The president said Pakistan remained “firmly committed” to press freedom as both a constitutional guarantee and democratic necessity, citing Article 19 and Article 19-A of the Constitution as legal foundations protecting freedom of expression and the public’s right to information.

“A free, independent and diverse media is not a threat to a confident nation, rather a proof of one,” he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his separate message, described journalists as “custodians of professional standards” and called for stronger resistance against propaganda and fake news in an increasingly fast-moving digital environment.

“Timely dissemination of accurate, impartial, and unbiased information remains the cornerstone of credible journalism,” the prime minister said.

He said responsible journalism remains essential for peacebuilding, informed public discourse and democratic accountability, adding that media professionals must be allowed to work in a secure and dignified environment.

Both the president and prime minister also linked responsible journalism to Pakistan’s national resilience, particularly during periods of conflict and disinformation campaigns.

Countering misinformation

Referring to the 2025 Pakistan-India military confrontation and “Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos,” President Zardari said Pakistan’s media had played a critical role in countering misinformation and preserving national cohesion.

“It responded not with force, but with facts. Not with noise, but with clarity,” he said.

PM Sharif similarly praised the national media’s role during critical moments, including “Marka-e-Haq” and “Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos,” saying journalists helped maintain public awareness and national unity.

The RSF report noted that India’s decline was linked to the “increasing use of national security laws” and growing legal pressure on journalists, creating a more difficult environment for media workers.

While Pakistan’s position remains in the lower tier of the global rankings, officials said the comparative improvement reflects continued progress in strengthening media freedoms while maintaining professional standards.

Tribute to journalists 

Both leaders paid tribute to journalists who lost their lives in pursuit of truth, particularly in conflict zones, and called for stronger protections and ethical standards across the profession.

“Public trust, the most valuable asset of free press, must be earned, protected and never taken for granted,” President Zardari said.

PM Sharif reaffirmed that the government would continue to support media freedom and institutional reforms aimed at ensuring a safe, responsible and independent press.

“The government will continue to play its role in this regard, enabling the media to fulfil its responsibilities with truth and integrity,” he said.