Zardari reiterates Pakistan’s commitment to freedom of press

President Asif Ali Zardari remarked that Pakistan as a state remained firmly committed to freedom of the press both as a constitutional promise and as a democratic need.

In his statement on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day observed on May 3, the president stated, “I extend my warmest greetings to the journalists, editors, media workers and media professionals in Pakistan and across the world. The topic for this year’s commemoration, “Shaping a Future at Peace,” spotlights a basic truth that peace cannot be established without truth, and in today’s world, truth depends on individuals who have the bravery and integrity to seek it, verify it and bring it to light.”

“The challenges to press freedom today are immense. Misinformation undermines public trust. Disinformation corrupts democratic debate. The promise of artificial intelligence is great, but so is the risk. “Journalists continue to face harassment, legal intimidation, economic pressure and, in far too many cases, physical danger around the world,” he continued.

Sadly, strong global media, especially social media with the help of artificial intelligence, deep fake, nowadays is propagating jingoistic, xenophobic, racist, populist, fascist and might is right agendas. Today’s social media is owned by tech companies who look down on nation states with contempt and strive to manufacture consent, many a times against the working people and oppressed nations by their algorithmic manipulations. “The free press is now more threatened by non-state actors – such as the tech giants and big business,” he continued.

He said: “Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan provides for the right to freedom of the press subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law. A free, independent and diversified media is not a threat to a confident nation, but a sign of it. The nuts and bolts to operationalise and secure the peoples’ right to know, which is also the role of the free press, are inserted under 18th amendment as Article 19-A. “Accountability, transparency and open inquiry are the bedrock of a healthy democracy, and a strong press is critical to each,” he said.

“At the same time, freedom carries with it responsibility. Speed should not come at the expense of accuracy, and partisanship should not replace balance. “The most valuable asset of free press is public trust, which must be earned, protected and never taken for granted,” he said.

We are in a time of particular urgency. “There are organised campaigns of lies against Pakistan to create discord and destabilise our national fabric,” he stated adding, “When the attack was launched on our homeland in May 2025, the nation stood together. Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, the Unbreakable Wall, was a statement not merely of military resolve but a reassertion of sovereignty. Pakistan’s media too, rose to the occasion and stood like a wall against the torrent of misinformation aimed against the country. It answered, not with force, but with fact. Not in noise, but in clearness. A country that wants to be a trusted voice in the world must have an information environment that it can trust at home.

“We also honour those journalists who have laid down their lives in pursuit of the truth specially in the conflict zones,” the President remarked. I urge the federal and provincial governments to enact enabling laws and create a safe environment for journalists. I also urge the media institutions to maintain high ethical standards and the citizens to shun deception and promote reliable journalism.”

“I am confident that together we can build an information ecosystem that is resilient, responsible and rooted in truth. “This is vital for democracy, for peace and stability and for Pakistan to get its rightful place in the world,” he continued.