President, PM vow to defend press freedom, urge truth over speed in digital age

• President Zardari and PM Shehbaz reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to protecting media freedom on World Press Freedom Day

• Both leaders stress credible, impartial and verified journalism as pillar of democracy

• Zardari warns disinformation campaigns and tech giants pose growing threat to free press

• Shehbaz urges journalists to counter fake news and uphold professional ethics

• Pakistan Press Foundation report records 233 attacks on journalists since January 2025

 ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting press freedom and underscored the importance of credible journalism, stressing that the timely dissemination of accurate, impartial and unbiased information remains the bedrock of responsible media.

In separate messages on World Press Freedom Day, both leaders reiterated that Pakistan remained firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting freedom of the press while highlighting the growing challenges posed by misinformation and technological disruption.

In his message, President Zardari said this year’s theme, “Shaping a Future at Peace,” underscored the principle that peace could not be secured without truth.

Pakistan remains firmly committed to freedom of the press as both a constitutional guarantee and a democratic necessity. A free, independent and diverse media is not a threat to a confident nation, rather a proof of one. pic.twitter.com/SnfaVNgFie

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) May 2, 2026

Referring to Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of the press subject to reasonable legal restrictions, the president said a free, independent and diverse media was not a threat to a confident nation but evidence of one.

“At the same time, freedom brings responsibility. Accuracy must not be sacrificed for speed and balance must not give way to partisanship. Public trust — the most valuable asset of a free press — must be earned, protected and never taken for granted,” he said.

President Zardari warned that Pakistan was facing a moment of “particular urgency,” saying deliberate campaigns of falsehood targeting the country sought to create divisions and weaken national cohesion.

“The challenges confronting press freedom today are immense. Misinformation erodes public trust. Disinformation distorts democratic discourse. Artificial intelligence offers immense promise, yet it also carries significant risk.” pic.twitter.com/8hOULPEbZZ

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) May 3, 2026

He praised the Pakistani media for “standing firm like a wall against the wave of disinformation” during the conflict with India last year.

“It responded not with force, but with facts. Not with noise, but with clarity. A nation that aspires to be a trusted voice in the world needs a credible information environment at home,” he said.

The president called on both federal and provincial governments to ensure enabling laws and a safe working environment for journalists.

He also urged media institutions to uphold rigorous ethical standards and called on citizens to reject falsehood and support credible journalism.

Highlighting modern-day threats to media freedom, President Zardari pointed to the growing risks posed by disinformation, misinformation and artificial intelligence, noting that journalists worldwide continued to face harassment, legal intimidation, economic pressure and physical danger.

He said powerful global media platforms, particularly social media aided by artificial intelligence and deepfake technology, were increasingly promoting jingoistic, xenophobic, racist, populist and fascist narratives.

The president observed that tech giants controlling social media platforms often viewed nation-states “with disdain” and attempted to manufacture consent through algorithmic interventions, sometimes at the expense of working people and oppressed nations.

“Today, the free press is threatened more by non-state actors, and that includes tech giants and big business,” he said.

 

Responsibility Of Every Journalist To Uphold Professional Ethics

In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the timely dissemination of accurate, impartial and unbiased information remained the cornerstone of credible journalism.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کا عالمی یومِ آزادیِ صحافت 3 مئی 2026 پر پیغام.

عالمی یومِ آزادیِ صحافت پر میں پاکستان اور دنیا بھر کے صحافی، کالم نویس، رپورٹرز، مدیران، براڈکاسٹنگ اورصحافت سے وابستہ تمام افراد کو انکی بے لوث خدمات پر خراج تحسین پیش کرتا ہوں۔

صحافت سے وابستہ افراد کی… pic.twitter.com/xvNlxO7Jxs

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) May 3, 2026

He stressed that it was the responsibility of every journalist to uphold professional ethics by countering propaganda, fake news and discouraging the spread of unverified information.

“Journalists are not only custodians of professional standards but also guardians of societal values,” the prime minister said.

He warned that fake news and coordinated disinformation campaigns posed a real threat to national cohesion and global credibility.

“Ensuring both speed and credibility in news dissemination is imperative. I urge all journalists to uphold the highest standards of verification, integrity and professionalism, so that in this fast-paced digital era, competition never comes at the cost of truth,” he added.

The premier also lauded the national media for demonstrating “commendable responsibility” during critical moments, including the May 2025 conflict with India, saying the media contributed to a coordinated national response, reinforced unity and presented Pakistan’s position with clarity and accuracy while countering misinformation.

Referring to this year’s World Press Freedom Day theme, “Shaping a Peaceful Future,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said credible information, responsible journalism and informed public discourse played a decisive role in building sustainable peace globally.

He said the media had immense potential to promote constructive engagement and strengthen diplomatic, economic and social ties among nations, adding that accurate representation of perspectives could help resolve complex issues.

Highlighting the rapidly changing media environment, the prime minister said digital platforms now played a central role in shaping both national and global public opinion.

“In this changing environment, the media has an important responsibility to effectively project Pakistan’s national identity and perspective on the global stage. Media institutions must adapt to digital transformation with both speed and a strong sense of responsibility,” he said.

Meanwhile, a recent report by the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) said Pakistan’s media landscape remained under mounting pressure, caught between legal constraints, physical violence, digital harassment and financial coercion.

The report documented at least 233 incidents of journalists being targeted between January 2025 and April 2026, including 67 assaults, 67 criminal complaints, 11 arrests, 11 detentions and three abductions.