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. 7, No. 7 – JULY 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  

PIC issues show cause notice to Islamabad Club

Date: July 22, 2026 – Source: The News

Escalating its action against Islamabad Club, the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) issued a show-cause notice to the secretary for ignoring its order under the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017, warning that penalties may follow for blocking public information.

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

Religious council wants robust oversight across all media platforms

Date: July 1, 2026 – Source: The News

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) passed a resolution urging electronic, print, and digital media platforms to adopt strong editorial oversight to prevent content that could offend public religious sentiments.

Religious scholars praise Geo News for apologizing over objectionable content

Date: July 10, 2026 – Source: The News

Private broadcaster Geo News aired the religious documentary Safar-e-Ishq, reportedly breaching its editorial oversight. The channel later apologized for the allegedly sensitive content, a step some religious scholars deemed acceptable and commendable.  

The dilemma of underage social media use

Date: July 10, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune

Social media has shifted into an algorithm-driven system that captures attention. For children, it now raises concerns over mental health, exploitation, misinformation, and addiction – prompting governments to reconsider the balance between digital freedom and protection.

‘Politics, not quality, keeps Pakistani content off Netflix’

Date: July 12, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune

Director Mehreen Jabbar argued that politics, not quality, remained the main barrier keeping Pakistani content off global platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and HBO, with commercial and regional factors driving their decisions.

Abbottabad Press club elections face legal hurdles

Date: July 19, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune

The Abbottabad District Bar Association informed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government that the incumbent office-bearers of the Abbottabad Press Club (APC) had secured a court extension to their tenure and were reportedly reluctant to hold annual elections.

FIA partners with Meta to expedite cybercrime investigation

Date: July 23, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) set up a direct communication channel with Meta’s Asia-Pacific office to speed up investigation into organized cybercrime, online fraud, and hate speech.

Sindh plans body to counter ‘negative propaganda’ on social media

Date: July 23, 2026 – Source: Dawn

Sindh Minister for Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Memon said that a provincial-level cell should be established to prevent the spread of ‘false and misleading’ information on social media and ensure accountability for those responsible.

‘Foreign’ network’s bid to hire Pakistani journalist exposed

Date: July 23, 2026 – Source: The News

An eight-month investigation by The News Investigation Cell documented an alleged attempt by a foreign network to recruit a correspondent to publish externally prepared political articles and provide access to unpublished information in return for long-term financial incentives and future guarantees.

Pakistan’s film industry gets much needed shot in the arm

Date: July 25, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune

Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Iqra Aziz teamed up on the big screen for the first time in a feature film directed by Murtaza Chaudhry, with production already under way. Developed under a Sindh government-funded initiative to support local cinema, the project is produced by Maida Azmat.

India-funded social media campaign suspect arrested

Date: July 27, 2026 – Source: Dawn

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced that security forces had arrested a man accused of spreading anti-state content on social media in exchange for ‘Indian funding’. He said the suspect, who ran digital marketing services, was found to have business links with India.

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 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa unveils journalist welfare package

Date: July 1, 2026 – Source: Journalism Pakistan (JP)

According to Freedom Network (FN), the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government announced a series of welfare and development measures aimed at supporting journalists, including an interest-free loan scheme, funding for media infrastructure, and expanded financial support for welfare initiatives.

Aaj News strike halts key bulletin amid salary crisis

Date: July 1, 2026 – Source: Journalism Pakistan (JP)

Employees of private broadcaster Aaj News went on a strike, alleging non-payment of salaries for the past three months. The walkout disrupted regular programming and forced the cancellation of a scheduled news bulletin.

Rohi TV sacks 36 staff as Pakistan media layoffs deepen

Date: July 7, 2026 – Source: Journalism Pakistan (JP)

A round of layoffs at private broadcaster Rohi TV left at least 36 media workers jobless, heightening concerns over employment security in Pakistan’s struggling broadcast industry. The dismissals spanned editorial and production teams, including five non-linear editors.

APNS highlights the financial difficulties of print media

Date: July 14, 2026 – Source: Business Recorder (BR)

At its meeting in Islamabad, the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) noted that newspapers – especially regional ones – were facing severe financial strain due to delays in direct client payments and prolonged outstanding dues from federal departments.

Information ministry-APNS panel to address print media issues

Date: July 15, 2026 – Source: The News

Representatives of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) met Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar to discuss industry issues, advertising policy, and regulatory reforms. The minister agreed in principle to include newspapers’ digital platforms in federal advertising campaigns.

Fellowship for Pakistan’s emerging women documentary filmmakers announced

Date: July 16, 2026 – Source: Express Tribune

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy announced the eight fellows selected for the latest edition of Patakha Pictures’ Claim the Fame program, which will support four documentary films by emerging women filmmakers from across Pakistan.  

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa announces Rs1 billion journalists’ package

Date: July 28, 2026 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Pakistan Today

Provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan announced a series of welfare measures for journalists, including a Rs1 billion allocation for their welfare, while highlighting the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s development agenda during visits to the Haripur and Abbottabad Press Clubs. 

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

Maker and previewer of sensitive documentary sacked, complaints council told

Date: July 1, 2026 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today, Source 3: Arab News

At a hearing before the Council of Complaints (COC), private broadcaster Geo News admitted fault, offered an unconditional apology, and submitted documents confirming it had dismissed both the producer of the controversial documentary and the editor who approved it.

Global watchdog presses Pakistan to restore Geo News

Date: July 2, 2026 – Source 1: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Source 2: Journalism Pakistan (JP)

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged Pakistan’s media regulator to reverse its 15-day suspension of Geo News’ broadcast license, calling the action an escalation of official interference in the country’s news media.

‘No arrests, no accountability’: Slain journalist’s widow reacts to Kenya court ruling

Date: July 3, 2026 – Source: Journalism Pakistan (JP)

Javeria Siddiqui, the widow of slain Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif, said that justice remained out of reach nearly four years after her husband’s killing near Nairobi, despite a ruling by Kenya’s Supreme Court declaring the shooting an unlawful violation of his right to life.

Pakistan’s court reporters face growing risks

Date: July 3, 2026 – Source: Journalism Pakistan (JP)

For generations, court reporters have served as the public’s eyes and ears in courtrooms, documenting proceedings that shape politics, governance, and citizens’ rights. Journalists covering Pakistan’s courts say that role had grown far more difficult and dangerous.

NCCIA granted six-day remand of podcast host

Date: July 9, 2026 – Source: Dawn

A judicial magistrate in Lahore granted the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) a six-day physical remand of podcast host Rehan Tariq in a case registered under the provisions of blasphemy law and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

NCCIA asked to seek religious scholar’s views on podcast host’s remarks

Date: July 10, 2026 – Source: Dawn

A judicial magistrate in Lahore directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to seek, if necessary, the opinion of a recognized religious scholar regarding the alleged offensive remarks uttered by podcast host Rehan Tariq.

Geo News back on air as PEMRA upholds decision

Date: July 12, 2026 – Source: Dawn

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) upheld its decision to suspend Geo News for airing content depicting religious figures, warning that future violations could cost the channel its license. The transmission resumed broadcast after the suspension period ended.  

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa committee dissatisfied over police report on Radio Pakistan attack

Date: July 21, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Pakistan Today

A committee of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly expressed displeasure over a police report about investigation into the cases related to a 2023 attack on the Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar. The building was ransacked and torched following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

Punjab leads tally for cases involving threats to journalists

Date: July 22, 2026 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Freedom Network (FN)

Between April and June 2026, Punjab accounted for 15 of 22 reported threats against journalists nationwide, according to the Freedom Network’s (FN) quarterly review. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw cases drop from five to three, while Sindh and Balochistan logged one each in both quarters.

PECA not to be used against media platforms, Senate panel informed

Date: July 24, 2026 – Source: The News

A Senate standing committee met officials from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to review media-related concerns. The agency assured lawmakers that the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) would not be enforced against media platforms.

Widespread legal actions against press workers recorded in 2025

Date: July 26, 2026 – Source: The News

Widespread regulatory and legal actions against press workers were recorded in 2025, led by 137 primary documented incidents against journalists, 30 police FIRs, 789 state inquiries into social media content hostile to state institutions and 365 national cybercrime cases.

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.