By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
PESHAWAR: Media rights organizations and civil society representatives on Wednesday stressed the need for a joint national platform to strengthen freedom of expression, protect journalists and address legislative, policy and administrative gaps affecting media freedom in Pakistan.
Freedom Network head and senior journalist Iqbal Khattak told Lead Pakistan that the need for establishing a National Forum for Freedom of Expression was discussed during a strategic meeting hosted by Peace and Justice Network Pakistan at its national secretariat in collaboration with the Institute of Research, Advocacy and Development (IRADA), the Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR), Freedom Network and Bytes for All.
He said the meeting brought together stakeholders to deliberate on the challenges facing freedom of expression and the safety and security of journalists, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts to protect fundamental freedoms and promote an enabling environment for independent journalism in the country.
Iqbal Khattak said participants discussed the need to bring relevant organizations and stakeholders onto a common platform to strengthen collective advocacy, facilitate sustained dialogue and develop collaborative strategies for addressing challenges confronting media freedom.
The deliberations focused on existing legislative, policy and administrative gaps that affect the exercise of freedom of expression in Pakistan. The participants underscored the importance of addressing these challenges through coordinated engagement, institutional cooperation and sustained efforts to safeguard fundamental rights.
Iqbal Khattak said the proposed national forum for freedom of expression aims to provide a collective space for dialogue and cooperation among organizations working on media freedom, human rights and journalists’ safety. He said such a platform could help stakeholders identify common priorities, coordinate advocacy initiatives and work towards practical measures to protect journalists and promote freedom of expression.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation among civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders to address issues that could be effectively tackled through isolated efforts, he said.
Freedom of expression and journalists’ safety remain central to the functioning of a democratic society, as journalists and media organizations play a vital role in informing the public, highlighting issues of public interest and holding institutions accountable.
Participants’ deliberations reflected the need for collective action to address challenges that undermine these functions.
Iqbal Khattak said the meeting marked an important step towards developing a coordinated national platform for sustained engagement, joint advocacy and collaborative action on freedom of expression, media freedom and journalists’ safety.
The participating organizations expressed their shared commitment to advancing efforts in this direction, with the proposed forum expected to serve as a basis for continued dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders working to protect fundamental freedoms in Pakistan.
Iqbal Khattak said the meeting’s outcome signals an effort by media rights and civil society organizations to consolidate their initiatives and pursue a collective approach to promoting freedom of expression and safeguarding journalists in the country.
