Media Matters for Democracy’s Investigating Disinformation Fellowship Program An Initiative to Help Journalism Community Go Beyond the Traditional Fact-Checking and Investigate Organised Mis/Disinformation …
Media Matters for Democracy is hosting a four-day hackathon, titled #ChallengingHate, aimed at offering technological solutions for combatting…
Are you an entrepreneurial journalist looking for an opportunity to expand your outlet or business idea? Or do you have…
Media Matters for Democracy’s Digital Media Fellowship Program Aimed at Creating Inclusive Digital Media Community Spaces The information ecosystem…
Islamabad, 22nd October 2021: UNESCO Pakistan and research partner Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD) have launched the Pakistan National Assessment…
October 16, 2021 – Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD), finds the recently notified draft of Removal and Blocking of Unlawful…
IMPORTANT Please find the full Terms and Conditions for the project “Local Voices Global Exchange” linked here. Participation in the application…
May 28, 2021, Islamabad: In the wake of Israel’s recent actions against Palestine and the subsequent online resistance from Palestinians…
We believe that press freedom is crucial not only for the production and distribution of verified and reliable news, but…
8 March 2021 — Media Matters for Democracy expresses serious concern over the continued acts of online intimidation and harassment…
Islamabad, 23 February 2021 — Media Matters for Democracy strongly condemns the attack on the head office of Geo News…
Highlights: – 7 out of 10 respondents say the can not always identify misinformation – 3 in 10 respondents feel…
ISLAMABAD (1 Feb, 2020) – Around 90 percent of journalists in Pakistan believe that misinformation has had an impact on…
ISLAMABAD, 19 January 2021: Pakistani women journalists most frequently identified online violence, including harassment, trolling, and coordinated abusive campaigns, as…
Islamabad, January 15, 2021: Six in ten women internet users who took part in a study face some kind of…
Media Matters for Democracy expresses concern on the new privacy policy brought forth by the messaging application WhatsApp, and the…
We, the undersigned, express our unequivocal support to women who spoke out against sexual harassment and those who supported the…
The Pakistani public has expressed its trust in the mainstream media’s coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new…
Islamabad, Pakistan EU Disinfo Lab, a European NGO has uncovered a ‘massive operation targeting international institutions and serving Indian interests’,…
(Islamabad, Pakistan) Recently, a new set of ‘Rules’ were notified by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MOITT) to…
(Islamabad, Pakistan) Leading with a section that deems any content capable of creating “hatred, contempt or disaffection” against the government…
(Islamabad, Pakistan) Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD) endorses the demands of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) — to ensure…
The Fehem programme will include fact-checking training for journalists and anti-disinformation public awareness campaigns in Pakistan ISLAMABAD (27 Oct 2020)…
The Fehem programme will include fact-checking training for journalists and anti-disinformation public awareness campaigns in Pakistan ISLAMABAD (27 Oct 2020)…
Islamabad, 24 October 2020: Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD) finds the disappearance of Geo News reporter Ali Imran deeply concerning…
Islamabad, October 13, 2020 – We, the undersigned, are concerned over the continued lack of transparency regarding the social media…
Islamabad, 2 October 2020 Media Matters for Democracy has published a White Paper on Reforms for the Prevention of Electronic…
Islamabad, Pakistan. Media Matters for Democracy, Pakistan’s leading media development organisation, announces the launch of a national Media and Information…
September 29, 2020 In the Quetta Declaration issued by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) FEC on 27 September,…
Islamabad, 8th September 2020: Media Matters for Democracy stands in solidarity with women journalists who have released a statement highlighting…
Islamabad, 12 August 2020 Media Matters for Democracy expresses solidarity with the women journalists who have called out online violence…
Islamabad, Pakistan Media Matters for Democracy expresses concern over the continued attempts to overregulate the Internet, and arbitrarily block platforms…
21 July 2020, Islamabad: Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD) urges the government to launch a prompt and thorough investigation into…
Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD) strongly condemns the decision by the Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (PEMRA) to suspend the broadcast…
Islamabad, Pakistan Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD) is deeply concerned at the situation where students, particularly from the non-mainstream areas…
(Islamabad, 30 June 2020) – A new service titled Dastgir will provide as many as 150 Pakistani journalists and their…
Media Matters for Democracy is all set to launch Dastgir, an online mental health counseling service for Pakistani journalists. The…
Islamabad, 3rd June 2020 Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD) has submitted the formal review, comments, and recommendations in response to…
Islamabad, 2nd June 2020 Members of the Consultation Committee on Citizen Protection Rules (Against Online Harm) 2020, And Chairman, Pakistan…
Islamabad, 10th May 2020 Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD) has recently announced legal aid and support for women in media…
Islamabad, Pakistan Media Matters for Democracy is deeply concerned about reports of journalists in Pakistan forced to cover the Covid-19…
Islamabad, Pakistan Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD), in March 2020, published its annual report which highlights policy advocacy, litigation, community…
Islamabad, 5th May 2020 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the European Union Delegation to Pakistan, the Embassies…
Islamabad, Pakistan Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD) made a submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women…
Islamabad, 3rd May 2020 Media Matters for Democracy, the World Press Freedom Day 2020, expresses solidarity with journalists across the…
Islamabad, 27th April Media Matters for Democracy announces the creation of an informal network of supporters who are interested to…
Islamabad, 22 April 2020: Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD) is concerned about the insertion of draconian and anti-democratic sections in…
Islamabad, 9th April 2020 Joint Statement to the Federal and Provincial Government(s) of Pakistan on Our Concerns Regarding the Excessive…
Islamabad, 27th March 2020 Media Matters for Democracy highlights the increasing digital divide during Covid-19 through its news website the…
Islamabad, 20th March 2020 Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD) gets the websites of popular online magazines ‘State’ and ‘Gizmodo’ unblocked…
Islamabad, 5th March 2020 Journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers, and Parliamentarians declared their resolve on Wednesday to resist the government’s…
Islamabad, 20th February 2020 Journalist unions, lawyers, and civil society organisations on Thursday declared the recently notified Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm)…
PUBLIC STATEMENT, CONDEMNING CITIZENS PROTECTION (AGAINST ONLINE HARM) RULES 2020 Islamabad, 13 FEBRUARY 2020: Given the current governments’ successive attempts…
Islamabad, 10th February 2020 The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights on Monday unanimously found that the Pakistan Electronic Media…
Islamabad, 5th February 2020 Media Matters for Democracy expresses solidarity with Kashmiris locked down in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and…
Islamabad, 29 January 2020 PUBLIC STATEMENT BY DIGITAL MEDIA OUTLETS, DIGITAL AND MEDIA RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, PROMINENT JOURNALISTS AND OPINION…
Islamabad, 14th December 2019 Yes, as incredible as it may seem, we turn five today! Five years of hard work,…
Image Courtesy: Living Resiliently Blog Islamabad, 10th December 2019 Media Matters for Democracy contributes to the global campaign #WhyIDidn’tReport by…
A report launched by Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD) shows that all women journalists within the country face some type…
Islamabad, 25h October 2020 Media Matters for Democracy through its initiative Report Digital Rights has initiated a program to engage…
Two-day national conference on Media and Information Literacy for Prevention of Violent Extremism recommends engagement with education system, teachers, and…
‘Media and Information Literacy’ Crucial for Peace and Tolerance National Conference on Media and Information Literacy for Prevention of Violent…
Islamabad, 12th September 2019 The co-founder of Media Matters for Democracy and the editor of Digital Rights Monitor, Sadaf Khan,…
Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD) is launching a campaign titled ‘Privacy Hum Sab Ke’ (Urdu for ‘Privacy for All’) to…
The petition first of many initiatives for legal protections for privacy under MMfD’s campaign #PrivacyHumSabKe Islamabad, 5th September 2019 – Responding…
This guidebook has been prepared to help journalists in Pakistan attain a basic understanding of the laws that criminalize and…
Published: August 2019 The Association for Progressive Communications condemns the prolonged and intentional disruption of communications services in Jammu and…
The general understanding in Pakistan is that there are differences between the ways men and women access and use the…
Media workers, press clubs, and trade unions of journalists across Pakistan observed a “Black Day” on Tuesday to protest against…
Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD) expresses concerns over increased censorship of opposing political voices in Pakistan. In less than a…
2 July 2019, Islamabad: The broadcast of an interview of the former president (now) MNA Asif Ali Zardari conducted by…
Media Matters for Democracy, MMfD, has launched a fact checking initiative to counter rising instances of online disinformation and misinformation.…
![Media Matters for Democracy’s submission to the Federal Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in response to the first draft of Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority [PMRA]](https://mediamatters.pk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Media-managementv2_herobanner-880x570_c.jpg)
Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority [PMRA] is a recently proposed structure for digital and traditional media regulation, that aims to merge…
Media Matters for Democracy has recently launched a report that takes a critical assessment of Pakistan’s cybercrime law. The report…
November 17, 2018: Media Matters for Democracy hosted a multi-stakeholder consultation with the representative of service providers, policy makers, civil…
Image Courtesy: UNESCO ISLAMABAD, 2 November 2018: Since January 2018, four journalists have been killed in Pakistan, with two being…
Islamabad: Media Matters for Democracy is proud to introduce ‘Charahgar’, a legal aid centre aimed at providing legal advice, support, and…
We are saddened to share that another journalist from the District Haripur of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa was shot dead today. He…
Islamabad, 25 September 2018: Media Matters for Democracy is extremely concerned on Lahore High Court’s decision to issue a non-bailable…
Mr. Khalid Maqbool, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications Dear Minister IT, Sir, welcome to the Cabinet. In the 21st century,…
Read the full report here. 13 August 2018: In three months leading to General Elections 2018 in Pakistan, 28 cases of…
![An open-letter to our fellow journalists and the Pakistani news media, to help push back on online misinformation and disinformation [which many of us refer to as fake news]](https://mediamatters.pk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/misinformation-word-cloud-abstract-background-concept-51126778-880x570_c.jpg)
Dear fellow journalists, We write to you at a critical moment in Pakistan’s political history. The 2018 general elections are…
Islamabad, 17 July 2018: Media Matters for Democracy has launched the research series Trends Monitor, a unique study that assesses…
FOREWARD Women, no matter in which region, field or context they are in, are no stranger to self-censorship. The social…
Islamabad, 5th July 2017: Keeping in view the rising cases of deliberate online misinformation and incitement to political and religious…
Dear Bilawal, It is with pleasure that we read the Manifesto of Pakistan Peoples Party. To tell you the truth,…
The Global Risks Report by the World Economic Forum lists digital misinformation as a growing global risk. This risk is…
Dear Mark and Jack, Excuse the informality – we might not know you well, but you know us pretty intimately,…
ISLAMABAD, 6 June 2018: Journalist and columnist Gul Bukhari was abducted by unknown persons on Tuesday 5th June 2018. After…
Islamabad, 3rd June 2018: Media Matters for Democracy expresses grave concern on the blocking of Awami Worker’s Party official website weeks…
Image Courtesy: Dawn Islamabad, 14 May 2018 – In an unprecedented and bizarre move, Pakistan’s state broadcaster, the Pakistan Television…
On April 07, 2018, on a tip-off provided by a group of ethical hackers, multiple news outlets including Pro Pakistani…
Islamabad, 2 May 2018: As many as 88% of Pakistani journalists, who participated in a new research on self-censorship, were most…
Islamabad, 2 May 2018: In a roundtable hosted by Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ)…
ISLAMABAD, May 2018: MMfD offers its deepest condolences and stands in solidarity with Afghanistan’s journalism community, which lost some of…
Islamabad, 25 April 2018: Media Matters for Democracy is deeply concerned about the recent data breach at Careem that we fear…
Islamabad, 14 April 2018: Media Matters for Democracy and Code for Pakistan jointly organized an Open Data Scrapathon on the…
We are extremely concerned about the rising incidents of political violence against journalists, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. In…
We are extremely concerned about the news of violence against Asad Khan Betini, a broadcast journalist of prominence reporting from Balochistan.…
Media Matters for Democracy strongly condemns the murder of journalist Zeeshan Ashraf Butt and is extremely concerned at the alleged…
Media Matters for Democracy strongly condemns the suspension of Geo News and other channels of the Geo network by cable…
Media Matters for Democracy expresses grave concern on government’s move to shut down mobile phone services in parts of Islamabad…
On 25th November last year, in an attempt to contain the hate spewed during a violent protest in the heart…
Media Matters for Democracy and Omar Asghar Khan Foundation host another session under ‘Report Your News’, an initiative aimed at equipping communities…
We are deeply saddened by the sudden death of leading Pakistani lawyer and activist Asma Jahangir, who died of cardiac…
Owners of news organisations and media groups should be encouraged to be transparent in their funding sources and ownership, in order…
We are happy to report to our community that on the recommendations of Media Matters for Democracy, Digital Rights Foundation…
Ten journalists from different Pakistani news organisations studied investigative reporting strategies, multimedia journalism skills, and advanced data analysis techniques during…
ISLAMABAD, 22nd January 2018: Media Matters for Democracy condemns the manhandling of journalist Fawad Hasan, who was reportedly picked up…
ISLAMABAD, 10 January 2018: Media Matters for Democracy strongly condemns the attack and attempted abduction of journalist Taha Siddiqui. The attack,…
Islamabad, 9 January 2017: Media Matters for Democracy, Digital Rights Foundation and Pakistan Press Foundation have filed a public petition…
Islamabad, 30 December 2017: Media Matters for Democracy marks the launch of Awam, a citizen journalism portal for reporting of governance issues especially in pre and post-election(s) scenario.
‘Awam’ is a digital tool to facilitate citizens to generate multimedia journalism content, particularly on the local governance issues of their communities, and interface this content with the mainstream media outlets.
Media Matters for Democracy and Omar Asghar Khan Foundation initiates ‘Report Your News’ — a series of orientation sessions — aimed at…
ISLAMABAD, 25 November 2017: PML-N government’s move to block citizen’s access to all information channels, including TV news and social…
Islamabad, 5 November 2017: Media Matters for Democracy under its initiative #MediaForTransparency completed a series of extensive data journalism training…
Sindh and its provincial capital Karachi, are known for highest target-killing of media workers. Nearly 30% of total journalists died in…
Islamabad, 1 November 2017: National and international media rights groups call upon the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi,…
ISLAMABAD, 27 OCTOBER 2017: Media Matters for Democracy condemns the cowardly attack on senior journalist Ahmed Noorani, associated with The…
ISLAMABAD, 21 October 2017: The recovery of Zeenat Shehzadi, a journalist missing for over two years is a step in…
Islamabad, 18 October 2017: Media Matters for Democracy under its initiative ‘Report for Digital Rights’ launches ‘Digital Rights Monitor’, Pakistan’s…
Image Courtesy: Express Tribune ISLAMABAD, 13 October 2017: Haroon Khan, a journalist associated with Mashriq TV and a publication Akhbar…
ISLAMABAD, 13 October 2017: Media Matters for Democracy is extremely concerned at the threat of a new wave of violence…
In 2013, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan became the first to pass a second generation information law – the…
We are happy to start a Twitter-based helpline for answering questions regarding digital rights and other Internet governance issues in Pakistan.…
Islamabad, Pakistan, 29th September 2017: Media Matters for Democracy is extremely concerned about another suspension in cellular services in Pakistan around…
Islamabad, 26 September 2017: Media Matters for Democracy joined the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union…
Islamabad, 25 September 2017: Media Matters for Democracy is extremely concerned over an attack on tjhe vehicle of Matiullah Jan,…
Islamabad, 10 August 2017: Media Matters for Democracy hosts specialised orientation sessions for journalists and anchorpersons to assist them in…
We are super excited to announce the launch of ‘Understanding Internet Rights’ which is an excellent resource for journalists to…
Islamabad, Pakistan, 12 June 2017: Pakistan remains extremely perilous for media practitioners. According to Media Matters for Democracy’s statistics, a…
To commemorate the international Open Data Day, Media Matters for Democracy and Code for Pakistan hosted a hack-day in an…
Islamabad, 9 January 2017: Media Matters for Democracy, voices grave concerns regarding the recent wave of abductions and disappearances of bloggers…
Media Matters for Democracy and Code for Pakistan brought together a dynamic group of civil society, corporate and technical stakeholders…
Islamabad, 24 October 2016: Media Matters for Democracy hosts talks in three public/private universities to inform students of the dangers…
Islamabad, Pakistan, 21 October 2016: ARTICLE 19 and Media Matters for Democracy are concerned about a government decision to place…
Islamabad, 26 September 2016: Media Matters for Democracy is proud to announce our latest initiative Muavin, an open source digital…
Islamabad, 12 August 2016: Muhafiz, Pakistan’s first digital threat reporting system for journalists and bloggers is live in Peshawar. Developed…
Islamabad, 11 August 2016: Pakistan’s new and controversial cybercrime bill is poised to become a law after the National Assembly passed…
Islamabad, 27 July 2017: Members of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and Media Matters for Democracy called upon the…
Islamabad, 27 July 2016: Media Matters for Democracy, as a last resort, takes to lobbying with opposition senators and legislators…
Islamabad, 26 July 2017: The leadership of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, National Press Club and civil society members…
Islamabad, 26 July 2016: Media Matters for Democracy’s representatives Sadaf Khan, Asad Baig and Mohsin Saleem participated in a consultation…
Islamabad, 3 July 2017: Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill 2016 is to undergo another set of amendments following meetings of…
Islamabad, 22 June 2017: A Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom called Media Matters for Democracy’s Executive Director Asad…
Islamabad 10th June: Senior journalists, anchorpersons and activists co-sign an online petition initiated by Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and…
Islamabad, 1 June 2016: Media Matters for Democracy, Bytes for All, the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists and National Press…
Executive summary Every 3rd May, UNESCO and the UN commemorates the World Press Freedom Day with the aim to advance…
The sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Broadcasting and National Heritage tacked to ensure the protection of journalists…
Islamabad, 17 April 2017: The Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Broadcasting and National Heritage on Friday recommended…
Islamabad, 14 April 2016: Bytes for All, Pakistan, Media Matters for Democracy and the Association for Progressive Communications express grave…
Islamabad, 12 April 2016: Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill 2016 has been passed by National Assembly of Pakistan today. The…
ISLAMABAD – 16 April 2015: The draft of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2015 leaked to activists includes various clauses that…
Islamabad, 10th April 2016: High level judicial commission formed to inquire into the attack on Hamid Mir on 19th April…
April 10, 2016: The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill (PECB) has been on the Orders of the Day twice during…
Photo Credit: Najia Ashar Following the hanging and the funeral of Salman Taseer’s murderer, Mumtaz Qadri, various religious political parties…
Islamabad, 23 February 2016: A nationwide consultative process with media stakeholders, for drafting of Media Workers Safety and Welfare Bill…
Islamabad, 1 February 2016: Media Matters for Democracy, with support from Rozan and Coalition for Ethical Journalism launches a series of…
Dera Ismail Khan, 2 January 2016: Another journalist has been shot dead in Dera Ismail Khan. Muhammad Umer was targeted…
Islamabad, 7 January 2016: Members of a specialised voluntary forum, ‘working group on PEMRA reforms’ met with the newly appointed…
Islamabad, 5 December 2015: The team members of Media Matters for Democracy facilitated the formation of a specialised group comprising…
Islamabad November 25 2015: Muhafiz, a digital solution for the protection of journalists has been initiated by Media Matters for…
Islamabad, 21 November 2015: A design workshop to help conceptualise Muhafiz, a digital solution for the protection of journalists was…
ISLAMABAD, 18 November 2015: Media Matters for Democracy launches Humara Media, a series of web-shows, discussing various policy and practice issues of…
Islamabad, 8 November 2015: Media Matters for Democracy and Code for Pakistan join hands to develop Muhafiz, Pakistan’s first semi crowdsourced, digital…
ISLAMABAD, 18 November 2015: Humara Media, a web-show, looking at various policy and practice issues that plague the Pakistani media…
Islamabad, 13 November 2015: We are very happy to welcome Sahar Habib Ghazi, the newest member of MMfD’s Governing Board.…
Islamabad, 11 November 2015: Media Matters for Democracy writes a letter to Pakistan’s electronic media regulator PEMRA to inquire about…
Via Dawn.com TANK: Tribal journalist and human rights activist Mohammad Zaman Mehsud was gunned down in an ambush in Tank,…
Islamabad, 2nd November 2015: The lack of consequences for those who target journalists in Pakistan is resulting in…
Via Dawn.com PESHAWAR/LANDI KOTAL: A tribal journalist hailing from Khyber Agency sustained injuries when an unidentified person opened firing on…
KARACHI, 9 September 2015: Senior journalist Aftab Alam was shot dead by two armed assailants in North Karachi. Aftab Alam…
KARACHI, 8th September 2015: Geo News’s satellite engineer succumbed to injuries after receiving seven bullets in an attack on Geo’s…
Via Dawn.com QUETTA: Security agencies and police have arrested two high-profile ‘target killers’ involved in the murder of two journalists…
Islamabad, 21 August 2015: Speaking on the occasion of certificate distribution among the participants, Ms. Vibeke Jensen, UNESCO Representative highlighted the…
Islamabad, 21 August 2015: A digital safety helpdesk to assist women in media dealing with issues of digital security or…
Islamabad, 19 August 2015: MMfD announces the setting up of a virtual help-desk for women in media facing digital security…
Two day digital security workshop for women journalists and bloggers Connected and Safe started at Media Matters for Democracy today…
Islamabad, August 12: A meeting of the subcommittee of the NA Standing Committee on IT has been called on August…
Media Matters for Democracy urges government for serious action in cases of two missing journalists Karachi, 28 Jan 2015: Media Matters…
Islamabad, 17 June 2015: A joint statement was signed by Media Matters for Democracy which was submitted to the 29th Session…
Islamabad, 19 June 2015: Media Matters for Democracy signs an open letter titled ‘ Implications of Internet.org on Privacy, Access…
Islamabad, 25 May 2015: Media Matters for Democracy along with a group of national civil society organizations was called to…
Ahmed Qureshi, a current affairs show host on Express TV “Q @ With Ahmed Qureshi”, hosted a show, focusing on…
ISLAMABAD, 27 April 2015: MMfD strongly condemns rising violence against civil-society representatives and demands the government and law enforcement agencies…
Islamabad, 27 April 2015: Media Matters for Democracy and Bytes for All hosted a joint consultative meeting bringing together various…
Islamabad, 27 April 2015: Media Matters for Democracy co-hosts Peace Tech Exchange, an initiative to bring together civic actors to brainstorm…
MMfD and Bytes For All calls for more transparency around the proposed legislation and calls upon the legislators to review the draft in accordance to international standards of human rights.