Global press freedom group slams Pak’s new foreign media guidelines, warns of censorship on PoK unrest reporting

New York:’ Leading international press freedom group the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Pakistani authorities to withdraw the country’s new Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026, describing the rules as “draconian” and warning that it is likely to censor coverage of unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The remarks came in the wake of newly issued Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines, which require all foreign journalists to secure a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MOIB) to travel to any city outside Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi for news reporting.

The newly issued guidelines outlined procedures for the registration and accreditation of “foreign media houses, organisations and outlets working in Pakistan and all eligible journalists, media owners, media professionals, sources, freelancers, sponsors, fixers, attached persons, assignees etc, of Pakistan working or contributing for them”, Pakistani daily Dawn reported.

Criticising the measures, Waliullah Rahmani, CPJ Afghanistan and Pakistan Representative, said, “The Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines open the door for Pakistani authorities to further restrict international media coverage, prevent journalists from reporting freely outside Pakistan’s three main cities, and risk exposing them to administrative retaliation.”

He said that these guidelines mark yet another “appalling blow to press freedom in Pakistan, where journalists are already facing an intense crackdown”, particularly those reporting on unrest in PoK.

According to CPJ, the newly issued guidelines were introduced days after the Pakistani government criticised international reporting on elections and protests in PoK and accused international media outlet Al Jazeera of engaging in “yellow journalism,” a term for sensational reporting. Subsequently, access to Al Jazeera’s website has been restricted in Pakistan.

The CPJ alleged that Pakistani authorities have banned coverage of protests demanding electoral reform in PoK, after international outlets reported on police brutality during clashes with demonstrators, and suspended mobile and internet services.

These latest guidelines come against the backdrop of escalating unrest in PoK that has claimed more than 50 lives and left hundreds injured over the last few days. The actual death toll is expected to be significantly higher.

The crackdown on peaceful protesters by the Pakistani forces drew international condemnation over the human rights abuses by Pakistani forces and the deteriorating state of media freedom in the occupied territory.

Earlier this week, several local and international civil society organisations urged the Pakistani authorities to end the escalating restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, including press freedom, access to information, and human rights advocacy.

The organisations said that internet services in PoK have remained suspended since June 5, with broadband only partially restored on July 29, while mobile data disruption continues.

IANS