Rubina Khalid stresses unfettered press freedom, responsible journalism

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd May, 2026) Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Senator Rubina Khalid on Sunday said that freedom of the press is the cornerstone of democracy and any curbs on it are unacceptable.

In her message on World Press Freedom Day, she warned that restrictions on freedom of expression are detrimental to societal progress and democratic continuity.

She reaffirmed that the Pakistan Peoples Party has always championed press freedom and democratic values.

Rubina Khalid emphasized that it is the state’s responsibility to ensure a safe, pressure-free, and censorship-free environment for journalists.

She noted that unnecessary restrictions on media amount to suppressing the truth.

Highlighting the challenges of the digital era, she said the importance of responsible, credible, and verified journalism has increased significantly with the rise of artificial intelligence.

She added that professional journalism remains the most effective defense against fake news and deep fakes.

The BISP chairperson underscored that while freedom is essential, safeguarding national interest and the state’s image is equally important.

She urged the media to play its role in projecting a positive image of Pakistan globally.

She called for a shift from sensationalism to research-based, balanced, and fact-driven reporting, terming it the need of the hour. “Without press freedom, transparent accountability and a strong democracy are not possible,” she said.

Rubina Khalid further stressed that dissent should be tolerated rather than suppressed as part of democratic traditions, cautioning that the spread of unverified information on digital and social media can cause national harm.

She reiterated that protection of journalists’ rights and press freedom remains a top priority of her party, adding that silencing truth-tellers does not resolve issues but rather creates deeper crises.