Press freedom

• Long way to go

Nothing typified Pakistan’s standing on the World Press Freedom Day as police brutally beating journalists marching towards parliament to present their charter of demands. News media has, after all, just come under a wave of a forced censorship that is unusually blunt and obvious even by Pakistan’s standards. And considering how seriously our political elite takes democracy and everything it implies, the group of protesting journalists should be forgiven for assuming that the government might take serious note of the forced gag, in some cases, on the media.

Of course, it is not just the occasional suggestion, from outside, against carrying certain news items. A far more concerning factor is the ‘self-censorship’ that such outright control, and certain instances where certain journalists have gone too far, has forced upon the industry. After all, no manner of official promises and supreme court cases has been able to help journalists who are harassed or made to suddenly disappear just for doing their work. The situation in the periphery, especially the tribal area where the war against terrorism has dominated everything for the past few years, is much worse and journalists routinely fear for their lives — with good reason.

That is not to say that Pakistan’s media industry has not grown. Its growth has, in fact, been exponential. But that it is still so easily controlled and manipulated, especially at moments of possibly monumental social change, ought to raise red flags among our celebrated defenders of democracy in parliament. Of course, media must display a great sense of professionalism and integrity, especially in this day and age, but those attempting to control it must also remember that progressive debate is the essence of a functioning democracy. As things stand, though, there’s still a long way to go before we can celebrate the World Press Freedom Day with any fanfare.