By: Asmat Shah Garwaki
Every year, November Journalism Day is observed to celebrate the tireless efforts, courage, and dedication of journalists around the world who continue to uphold the values of truth, transparency, and accountability. This day reminds us of the vital role journalism plays in shaping societies, strengthening democracies, and ensuring the free flow of information.
A free and independent press is often described as the fourth pillar of the state a cornerstone of democracy that keeps power in check and amplifies the voices of the people. Journalists, whether reporting from bustling cities or remote regions, act as watchdogs of society. They investigate injustice, expose corruption, highlight human-rights violations, and provide citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.
In today’s rapidly changing digital landscape, journalism faces both unprecedented opportunities and daunting challenges. The rise of social media has revolutionized the way news is produced and consumed, yet it has also blurred the line between fact and misinformation. Fake news, censorship, and economic pressures on media organizations have made it increasingly difficult for journalists to operate freely and ethically.
According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), 122 media professionals were killed globally in 2024, making it one of the deadliest years on record. The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) documented 54 journalists killed that same year while performing their duties, including 7 in Pakistan, 5 in Bangladesh, and 5 in Mexico. UNESCO reported that between 2022 and 2023, a journalist was killed every four days on average. Within Pakistan, the Freedom Network recorded 57 cases of violations against journalists including threats, assaults, and legal harassment between November 2023 and August 2024, and confirmed six murders or assassination attempts during that period. The IFJ also reported 520 journalists imprisoned worldwide by December 2024, a sharp increase from 427 the previous year. These numbers underline a grim truth: journalism is a dangerous profession, and freedom of expression is under growing threat across the world.
Good journalism, however, stands firm on the principles of accuracy, fairness, and integrity. The credibility of the media depends on journalists’ commitment to verify facts, avoid bias, and present balanced perspectives. As technology evolves and citizen journalism expands, maintaining professional ethics has become even more crucial. Many journalists continue to work in hostile environments risking intimidation, imprisonment, or even death in their pursuit of truth. November Journalism Day serves as a time to remember and honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of press freedom.
Reports from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) paint a deeply troubling picture. From 1992 to October 2025, around 1,960 journalists across the world have been killed while performing their professional duties. Iraq has recorded 282 journalist killings, Syria 166, the Philippines 159, Mexico 156, while Pakistan has lost 96 journalists and media workers in the line of duty. Within Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the former FATA regions accounted for 32 deaths, Balochistan for 23, Sindh for 19, Punjab for 11, Islamabad/Rawalpindi for 7, and Gilgit-Baltistan/Azad Kashmir for 4. These figures illustrate the high cost paid by those who dare to tell the truth.
In a recent incident that once again exposed the rising threats to journalists in Pakistan, unidentified assailants opened fire at the residence of Shahroom, a senior broadcaster associated with multiple media outlets including FM radio channels, in Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This was the second targeted attack on him within two months. Earlier, on June 5, he had survived a life-threatening assault in which he sustained serious injuries. Known for his outspoken programs that often criticized extremism and lawlessness, Shahroom has become a symbol of courage and resilience in the media community. Journalists’ unions and rights organizations have strongly condemned the repeated attacks, calling them part of a disturbing pattern of violence against media professionals and their families. The incident has renewed concern over the safety of journalists, particularly in conflict-prone regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the media fraternity continues to urge the government to take strict action against those attempting to silence critical voices.
Across the world, November Journalism Day is marked by seminars, workshops, and award ceremonies recognizing excellence in journalism. Media professionals, educators, and policymakers come together to discuss the future of the profession from digital transformation to media literacy and freedom of expression. It is also a day for society to express gratitude to journalists the unsung heroes who work behind the headlines, often under immense pressure, to bring truth to light.
On November Journalism Day, we celebrate more than a profession we celebrate a mission. Journalism is not merely about reporting events; it is about defending truth, amplifying marginalized voices, and holding the powerful accountable. As citizens, supporting a free and responsible press is our collective duty, for without truth, democracy cannot thrive. Let this day serve as a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to honesty, courage, and the unwavering pursuit of facts the very essence of journalism.
The Author is associated with Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Peshawar.
asmat.journalist@gmail.com
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