A monthly report on trends relating to state of journalism and media rights, policies and practices
Tracking:
Media related laws, policies and regulations
The state of media professionalisms
The state of media economy
Threats and attacks against journalists and information practitioners
Vol. 6, No. 6 – JUNE 2026 Edition
Produced by Freedom Network – www.fnpk.org
SECTION 1: Media related laws, policies, regulations, mechanisms
- Freedom of expression (FOE)
- Right to information (RTI), access to information (ATI)
- Federal and provincial governments (relevant ministries and departments)
- Media related regulators (PPC, PEMRA, PTA)
- Regulatory issues related to print, electronic and digital media
FAFEN calls for overhaul of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s RTI legislation
Date: June 15, 2026 – Source 1: Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), Source 2: Dawn
Twelve years after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa became Pakistan’s first province to enact a Right to Information (RTI) law, Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) observed that the framework remained underutilized and vulnerable to disinformation due to weak enforcement and structural gaps.
FAFEN urges reform to fix Balochistan’s RTI legislation
Date: June 17, 2026 – Source 1: Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), Source 2: Dawn
Five years after its enactment, the Balochistan Right to Information Act, 2021, requires legislative reforms to strengthen enforcement, ensure institutional independence, and enhance accountability, according to the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
PIC orders disclosure of state helicopter use costs since 2017
Date: June 18, 2026 – Source: The News
The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) directed the Cabinet Division to disclose records relating to the use of prime minister’s helicopter by successive governments since 2017, ruling that the information cannot be withheld on grounds of national security or statutory exemptions claimed by the government.
FAFEN for strengthening enforcement of RTI law in Punjab
Date: June 19, 2026 – Source 1: Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), Source 2: The News
Despite having one of Pakistan’s stronger Right to Information (RTI) laws, Punjab faces major implementation gaps, with only 52 percent of mandated information available on government websites, according to the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
When RTI requests fail to deliver
Date: June 29, 2026 – Source: The News
Who used the Punjab Assembly’s luxury cars, joined the chief minister in Brazil, or runs the internet monitoring system? Geo Fact Check sought answers through right to information (RTI) requests over two years. None brought full disclosure – only delays, partial replies, and appeals to Information Commissions meant to uphold the public’s right to know.
SECTION 2: The state of media professionalisms
- Media independence issues
- Public interest journalism practices and challenges
- Ethical journalism issues
- The state of thematic journalism
- Community-focused media
- Misinformation / disinformation / fake news
Date: June 5, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune
The Punjab government’s decision to relax operating-hour restrictions for cinemas was welcomed by Pakistan’s film industry, with actor and producer Fahad Mustafa emerging as a vocal supporter of the move after publicly campaigning for an extension in screening hours.
Journalism’s future is human-AI partnership
Date: June 5, 2026 – Source: Journalism Pakistan (JP)
Amar Guriro, founder of Pakistan’s first AI-powered news platform, said artificial intelligence (AI) should enhance – not replace – journalism, stressing that the future of the profession lies in human-machine collaboration.
Date: June 7, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Films flop when audiences aren’t interested, regardless of big television backing. In Pakistan, limited genres confine viewership to families – often reluctant to attend – while regular cinema-goers prefer international releases.
Three films do not make a revival
Date: June 7, 2026 – Source: The News
The release of just three films on Eid underscored the fragile state of Pakistan’s film industry. Despite years of promised revival, only Zombied drew real attention, while the other two struggled for visibility. Even if all three had performed well, such a limited output hardly signals an industry revival.
Media persons tender apology in response to NCCIA notice
Date: June 11, 2026 – Source: Dawn
Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Zaman filed a cybercrime case against media persons and vloggers Anwar Sumra, Salman Haider, and Irshad Bhatti over alleged false claims of Rs225 million spent on his official residence; Sumra and Bhatti later issued unconditional apologies.
All journalists having valid documents allowed access to Supreme Court
Date: June 13, 2026 – Source: The News
The Supreme Court ruled that all journalists with valid press accreditation cards from any press club or the Press Information Department (PID) will be allowed access to its premises for reporting, expanding beyond the previously limited access for accredited court reporters.
Economy of fake news: When a lie travels faster than the truth
Date: June 15, 2026 – Source: The News
Truth moves slower than lies, but each journalist who refuses to publish the unverified helps it along. In a world where falsehoods spread fast, this quiet work of verification is among journalism’s most vital duties.
Eid release earns Rs350 million within days
Date: June 17, 2026 – Source: The News
Pakistani film Zombied captivated audiences since its release on Eid in cinemas nationwide, raking in over Rs350 million within days and cementing its place as one of the season’s biggest box office hits.
Non-bailable warrants issued against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister in PECA case
Date: June 19, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News
A local court in Islamabad issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for his continued absence despite being summoned in a case of allegedly making misleading allegations against state institutions and damaging their reputation.
UK trial set in PTI activist’s defamation case against TV executives
Date: June 24, 2026 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today
A defamation claim filed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) activist Shayan Ali against the heads of a private Pakistani television channel moved towards trial in the High Court in London, with a hearing due within days of filing this report.
SECTION 3: The state of media economy
- Economic landscape of media industry
- Impact of Covid-19 on media resilience and sustainability
- Government and private advertising for media industry
- Advertising sector and its interface with media industry
- Business viability and sustainability of media
- Wages, salaries and arrears of journalists and media practitioners
KUJ condemns Aik News layoffs, seeks reinstatement
Date: June 6, 2026 – Source: Journalism Pakistan (JP)
The Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) condemned the dismissal of journalists and media workers at private outlet Aik News, calling for their immediate reinstatement and urging authorities to intervene over what it described as worsening job insecurity in Pakistan’s media industry.
Government plans to fully digitize PTV, Radio Pakistan networks
Date: June 13, 2026 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Pakistan Today
The government outlined plans to fully digitize its state-run broadcasting infrastructure, including Pakistan Television (PTV) and Radio Pakistan, and establish new institutions aimed at strengthening national branding and the creative industries under its development agenda for fiscal year 2026-27.
The end of ATV signals more than a shutdown
Date: June 20, 2026 – Source: Journalism Pakistan (JP)
Private broadcaster ATV went off air in June 2026, ending a 52-year run as its owner entered court-supervised liquidation after prolonged financial troubles. With revival efforts failing, hundreds of journalists and staff now face job losses.
SECTION 4: Threats and attacks against media and information practitioners, including online
- Murders and killings
- Kidnappings and abductions
- Arrests and detentions
- Threats – verbal and written
- Harassment and intimidation – offline and online
- Surveillance, hacking and data breaches
- Legal cases for journalism-related work or free speech
- Impunity of crimes against journalists
- Censorship
Journalist killed in Musakhail
Date: June 8, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Lala Israfeel, a local journalist, was shot dead in a drive-by attack in Balochistan’s Musakhail area. Police said he was outside his shop when assailants on a motorcycle opened fire, killing him instantly.
CJP urged to order review of steps affecting media access
Date: June 16, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Journalism Pakistan (JP)
The Press Association of the Supreme Court (PAS) requested Chief Justice Yahya Afridi to order a review of steps taken by the court administration, including taking over the possession of a room dedicated for media personnel as well as restricting their easy access to enter the premises.
APNS condemns NCCIA notice to newspaper as misuse of PECA
Date: June 18, 2026 – Source: The News
The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) condemned a notice from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) against Daily Nayi Baat allegedly over a column phrase, calling it an overreach of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and a threat to press freedom.
Date: June 18, 2026 – Source: Journalism Pakistan (JP)
Journalist Sohrab Barkat was released on bail after spending 10 days in custody following his latest arrest under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), a development that renewed concerns among press freedom advocates about the continued use of cybercrime use against journalists.
Date: June 23, 2026 – Source: Dawn
The lifting of a ban on broadcasting opposition speeches in the National Assembly by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq is no act of generosity – the scandal is that such curbs existed and were tolerated. Lawmakers are elected to speak for the people, not to have their voices treated as privileges.
PEMRA suspends Geo News license for a fortnight
Date: June 29, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today, Source 3: Reuters Connect
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) suspended the license of Geo News for 15 days over the airing of a “religious visualization” that the watchdog said was “liable to hurt the religious sentiments of viewers”.
Controversial bill to be last nail in coffin of freedom of expression: opposition
Date: June 30, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune
The Punjab Assembly witnessed a heated exchange on the proposed Punjab Control of Habitual Offenders and Anti-Social Behavior Bill, 2026 with the opposition describing the legislation as an assault on fundamental rights and freedom of expression.
OBJECTIVES: This series of monthly report aims to:
- Monitor the state of policies, regulations and mechanisms governing the media sector in Pakistan; the state of freedom of expression and right to information environment in the country and how these interfaces with media freedoms allowed or restricted via media regulations governed by the print, electronic and internet regulators.
- Track the state of media professionalisms in the country including ethical and public interest journalism practices and challenges, and the challenges of misinformation, disinformation and fake news phenomena.
- Follow the changing economic dynamics of the media industry and how they impact the business viability and sustainability of media and exploitation of media staff in lieu of their wages and arrears.
- Scrutinize threats and attacks against media and information practitioners, the state of impunity of crimes against journalists and efforts to provide justice for those aggrieved and distressed.
INFORMATION SOURCES: This report monitors, among others, the following sources of information:
- Government: Federal and provincial cabinets
- Ministries: Related ministries, including Information and Broadcasting, Information Technology (IT) and Telecom, Human Rights, Science and Technology, Commerce and Industry, etc.
- Legislatures: Senate, National Assembly, provincial assemblies, relevant standing committees
- Regulators: Pakistan telecommunications Authority (PTA), Pakistan Electronic Media regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Press Council of Pakistan (PPC), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), etc.
- Global organizations: UN/Unesco, International Media Support (IMS), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Amnesty International (AI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), etc.
- National organizations: Digital Rights Foundation (DRF), BoloBhi, Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD), Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development (IRADA), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), etc.
- Media: Dawn, The News, Express Tribune, The Nation, Pakistan Today, The Friday Times, etc.
- Social Media:Facebook, Twitter, etc.
- Local networks: Journalists Safety Hubs Network, Alliance on Diversity & Pluralism in Media, etc.
- Any other open public information sources.
