About this Event
Join the Free Speech Centre (FSC) for an important evening of discussion on press freedom in Pakistan and the growing challenges facing independent journalism.
Pakistan has one of South Asia’s largest and most influential media landscapes. Yet journalists and media organizations continue to face significant political, legal, economic, and security pressures. Restrictions on reporting and internet access, censorship, arrests, intimidation, and violence have made independent journalism increasingly difficult.
These challenges are not limited to one political party or region. Across Pakistan, journalists face pressure from political actors, powerful institutions, and security agencies, often forcing journalists and newsrooms to practise self-censorship.
The situation in Balochistan deserves particular attention, where journalists face threats from multiple actors, including state institutions, security agencies, militant groups, and separatist organizations. In Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, journalists also face serious challenges, including political interference, harassment, censorship, and threats to their safety.
Event Highlights
Welcome Remarks: Najib Asil, Founder and Executive Director of the Free Speech Centre (FSC)
Panel Discussion: Press Freedom in Pakistan: Journalism Under Pressure and the Future of Independent Media
Moderator: Sonya Fatah, Associate Professor, School of Journalism, TMU
Featuring:
Anam Zakaria : Oral Historian, Author, and Co-Founder of Qissa Stories
Abdul Razaque: Investigative Journalist, Sindh TV News
Salman Haidar: Poet, Human Rights, Activis
Lateef Jouhar Baloch: Master of Journalism Student, Rights Activist, Balochistan
Join us for an evening of insight, discussion, and solidarity. This is an opportunity to hear diverse perspectives, learn more about the realities facing journalists in Pakistan, engage with others who care about press freedom, and explore how we can collectively support independent journalism and the right to report freely.
Be part of this important conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!
Event venue & nearby stays
Rogers Communication Centre, 80 Gould Street, Toronto, Canada
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