The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed “serious concern” on Wednesday over the government’s decision to withhold public sector advertisements from newspapers critical of its policies, including Dawn.
During a three-day meeting in Islamabad on February 25, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the government’s efforts to introduce anti-media laws and suppress dissenting voices under the pretext of combating “fake news.”
The PFUJ highlighted that for over seven decades, successive military and civilian governments have used government advertisements as a tool to manipulate the media, rewarding favorable coverage while punishing critical reporting. It cited Dawn as an example, noting that the federal, Punjab, and Sindh governments had denied it ads due to its independent editorial stance.
Meanwhile, the PFUJ criticized the government for declaring state-run media outlets—such as Pakistan Television, Radio Pakistan, and the Associated Press of Pakistan—as “strategic institutions,” despite their long-standing role in promoting pro-government narratives.
In a statement posted on X, the HRCP echoed these concerns, emphasizing that certain newspapers had been “favored” with substantial government advertisements, including content presented as news in violation of journalistic ethics.
The HRCP reminded the government that it is “constitutionally bound” to uphold press freedom and the public’s right to information.
“Tacit censorship through financial pressure must not be used to control narratives or undermine independent journalism. By threatening the survival of critical voices, the government is ultimately harming itself—and the people it claims to represent,” the statement read.
