Jeddah:. On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Pakistan Journalists Forum (PJF) — the oldest platform representing Pakistani journalists in Jeddah — organized a special session under the chairmanship of Forum President Maroof Hussain. The event was attended by prominent journalists and PJF office bearers.
Speakers noted that while the United Nations officially designated May 3rd as World Press Freedom Day in 1993, Pakistan’s history of journalistic struggle predates this. As early as the 1970s and 1978, Pakistani journalists raised their voices for media freedom and job security, enduring hardships, imprisonment, and political pressure to uphold the integrity of the press.
Participants expressed concern over the infiltration of unscrupulous elements into the field of journalism in Pakistan, which they said has adversely affected the credibility of the profession. However, they also expressed pride in using their pens voluntarily from Saudi Arabia — a close and trusted ally of Pakistan — to contribute positively to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting journalistic values.
The speakers emphasized that press freedom is essential to democracy, accountability, and the public’s right to information. A free and independent press exposes corruption, misuse of power, and administrative failures, playing a key role in preventing authoritarianism. Journalists have a duty to highlight human rights violations, amplify the voices of marginalized communities, and pressure authorities into action.
Addressing the spread of misinformation, the attendees welcomed the recent remarks by Pakistan’s Army Chief on the need to curb fake news. They reaffirmed their commitment to upholding ethical journalism and pledged to work collectively to counter disinformation. The session concluded with a vow to continue efforts toward strengthening the Pakistan-Saudi friendship and maintaining high standards of press integrity.
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