Opening welcome remarks from the founder and executive director of the Free Speech Centre at our annual event.

The Free Speech Centre hosted an event about press freedom in Pakistan and the future of independent media. The event brought together Pakistani journalists, activists, and researchers in Toronto on October 20, 2026. Pakistan has one of South Asia’s largest and most influential media landscapes. Yet journalists and media organizations continue to face political, legal, economic, and security pressures that threaten their ability to report freely. According to the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by @RSF_inter Pak ranks 153rd out of 180 countries. The Committee to Protect Journalists @CPJAsia also documents a long history of lethal violence against journalists in the country, with its database listing 106 journalists killed in Pakistan between 1992 and 2025. Abdul Razaq, an investigative journalist from Sindh, emphasized the importance of protecting journalists and their families from threats and retaliation. He called for the release of journalists he described as unjustly imprisoned. @LateefJoharB , a journalist and human rights advocate, discussed the challenges of documenting events in Baluchistan. He discussed the long history of political mobilization in Balochistan and the difficulties of reporting in an environment marked by militarization, surveillance, and allegations of enforced disappearances. He added about the Baloch movement and the efforts of local communities to document their experiences and make their voices heard. He spoke about Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, whose activism has drawn attention to enforced disappearances and human rights concerns in the province. In June 2026, she was sentenced to life imprisonment in a terrorism-related case; her appeal against the conviction remains pending. Poet and activist Salman Haider reflected on the role of literature and satire in challenging injustice and questioning dominant narratives in Pakistan. Haider forcibly disappeared in January 2017 and remained missing for more than 20 days before reappearing. His experience brought international attention to concerns about the safety of activists and critics in Pakistan. Drawing on his work in poetry, plays, and activism, he discussed the conditions under which satire can survive and find an audience in a restrictive environment. Writer and researcher @AnamZakaria1 shared insights from her work examining state narratives, intergenerational memory, and the lasting effects of major events in South Asian history. Through oral storytelling, she has explored how historical experiences are remembered, transmitted, and understood across generations. Her work highlights the importance of listening to individual accounts and preserving perspectives that may be overlooked in official versions of history. Zakaria’s contribution broadened the discussion beyond immediate restrictions on journalism, emphasizing the role of storytelling in examining the past, understanding the present, and challenging simplified narratives about the region. The panelists’ experiences demonstrated that protecting press freedom requires more than defending individual journalists. It also means safeguarding the right of communities to tell their own stories, question those in power, and participate in public life without fear. The event forms part of the Free Speech Centre’s ongoing work to create platforms for journalists, activists, and researchers to share their experiences, examine threats to freedom of expression. “In the coming months, the FSC plans to host further discussions focused on Ukraine, Iran, and Gaza, bringing attention to the challenges facing journalists and communities in different parts of the world says @Najib_Asil, founder and executive director of Free Speech Centre. The Centre thanks moderator Sonya Fatah and panelists Anam Zakaria, Abdul Razaq, Salman Haider, and Lateef Jouhar Baloch for sharing their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives.

Get to Know Our Moderator: Sonya Fatah is an associate professor at the School of Journalism at the Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is also the founder and director of stitched! studio, a community-based, live journalism organization based in Tkaronto (Toronto), which centres storytelling in response to epistemic violence. Her teaching, research and creative practice focus on participatory, decolonial works of performance journalism, on newsroom culture and practice, international news coverage, and press freedom violations. She is also the co-lead of the Canada Press Freedom Project, which qualitatively and quantitatively tracks press freedom issues in Canada. Join us today, at 6PM at Rogers Communication Centre, TMU, 80 Gould St. Toronto.

Meet Our Speaker: Lateef Johar Baloch is a writer, rights campaigner, and master’s student in journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University. His work focuses on human rights, community capacity building, international reporting and accountability mechanisms, and the barriers marginalized communities face in accessing them. He reported on and campaigned to highlight the Pakistani state’s crackdowns on human rights defenders, political workers, journalists and community and civil society organizations and their leadership in Balochistan and the wider region. Join us tomorrow evening at 6Pm Rogers Communication Centre, TMU 80 Gould St. Toronto!

Meet our speaker: Abdul Razaque is a Pakistani-Canadian investigative journalist, and current-affairs presenter with more than a decade of experience in journalism and broadcasting. He has worked with Sindh TV News as an investigative reporter, presenter, and documentary producer, covering public-interest issues, accountability, Sindhi culture, and the challenges facing journalists in Sindh. He also hosted The Investigation, a program focused on evidence-based reporting and public accountability. Abdul currently produces and reports Canada Time from Canada, covering Canadian politics, immigration, international affairs, and multicultural communities. His work includes documentary production, field reporting, and cultural storytelling. Through his journalism, he remains committed to promoting independent media, protecting Sindhi language and identity, and bringing the concerns of Sindh and its diaspora to a wider international audience.

Meet our Speaker: Salman Haider is a prominent Pakistani poet, playwright, blogger, human rights activist, and former university professor. Known for his progressive writing, political satire, and advocacy against enforced disappearances, he now lives in exile in Canada after facing political persecution in Pakistan. In January 2017, Haider was kidnapped in Islamabad along with fellow activists and was held and tortured for 21 days. He later sought safety in Canada. As a columnist, Haider regularly published political satire in a national daily newspaper in Pakistan. He was also an editor of the progressive journal Tanqeed (“Criticism”), which focused on religious and ethnic minority rights. Haider believes that Canadian media can play a vital role in advancing human rights by promoting Canadian values and supporting human rights causes both within Canada and internationally.

Meet our speakers! Anam Zakaria is an award-winning writer, oral historian, author, and Co-Founder and Strategic Director of Qissa. She is the author of three books, including The Footprints of Partition, published by HarperCollins, which won the 2017 KLF–German Peace Prize and was later adapted for theatre. Her other work includes 1971: A People’s History from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. Anam is also a freelance journalist with more than 14 years of experience. Throughout her career, she has worked with and interviewed survivors of genocide, war, and violence, as well as refugees, immigrants, and youth. Her articles, opinion pieces, interviews, and political commentary have been published in a range of leading publications, including The Walrus, CBC, The Toronto Star, The New York Times, Al Jazeera, The Hill Times, Scroll.in, The Wire, and Dawn.com. She holds a B.A. in International Development from McGill University, an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Toronto. Anam is currently based in Toronto, where she continues her work documenting the oral histories and experiences of immigrants to Canada. Join us: 📍 Rogers Communications Centre, 80 Gould st. Toronto. 🗓️ October 20 at 5:30 PM

Join the Free Speech Centre (FSC) for an important evening of discussion on press freedom in Pakistan and the growing challenges facing independent journalism. Pakistan has one of South Asia’s largest and most influential media landscapes. Yet journalists and media organizations continue to face significant political, legal, and security pressures. Restrictions on reporting and internet access, censorship, arrests and intimidation have made independent journalism increasingly difficult. These challenges are not limited to one political party or region. Across Pakistan, journalists face pressure from political actors, powerful institutions, and security agencies, often forcing journalists and newsrooms to practise self-censorship. The situation in Balochistan deserves particular attention, where journalists face threats from multiple actors, including state institutions, security agencies, militant groups, and separatist organizations. In Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, journalists also face serious challenges, including political interference, harassment, censorship, and threats to their safety. #Event Highlights Opening Remarks: Najib Asil, Founder and Executive Director of the Free Speech Centre (FSC) #Panel Discussion: Press Freedom in Pakistan: Journalism Under Pressure and the Future of Independent Media Moderator: Sonya Fatah, Associate Professor, School of Journalism, TMU #Featuring: Anam Zakaria: Oral Historian, Author, and Co-Founder of Qissa Stories Abdul Razaque: Investigative Journalist, Sindh TV News Salman Haidar: Poet, Human Rights, Activis Lateef Jouhar Baloch: Master of Journalism Student, Rights Activist, Balochistan. Join us for an evening of insight, discussion, and solidarity. This is an opportunity to hear diverse perspectives, learn more about the realities facing journalists in Pakistan, engage with others who care about press freedom, and explore how we can collectively support independent journalism and the right to report freely. Be part of this important conversation. Get your tickets👇🏻 Link: eventbrite.ca/e/press-freedo… @sonyafatah @LateefJoharB @RSF_inter @CPJAsia @IMSforfreemedia @caj @CJFE

Press Freedom in Pakistan: Journalism Under Pressure and the Future of Independent Media Join the Free Speech Centre for an important evening of discussion with journalists and advocates on the challenges facing independent media in Pakistan. Tuesday, October 20 5:30 PM 📍 80 Gould ST. Rogers Communication Centre Get your tickets Below👇👇 eventbrite.ca/e/press-freedo… @eventbritehelp

The Free Speech Centre is deeply saddened by the passing of journalist Alem Kabiri after a courageous battle with cancer. His work and dedication leave behind a legacy that will continue to inspire journalists and advocates for press freedom. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the wider journalism community during this difficult time. May he rest in peace, and may his contributions never be forgotten.

Afghan journalists in exile across Pakistan, Iran & Turkey have waited years for UNHCR responses on their cases. Last week, we had a productive conversation with @UNHCR’s Levon Sevunts and connecting with the Protection & Durable Solutions Units. Hoping this leads to real pathways for resettlement for these journalists.

در نزدیک به پنج سال گذشته، شماری از خبرنگاران و کارمندان رسانه‌ای افغانستان هنوز هم در کشورهای پاکستان، ایران و ترکیه به سر می‌برند. برخی از این خبرنگاران پرونده‌های فعال نزد دفتر کمیساریای عالی سازمان ملل متحد در امور پناهندگان (UNHCR) دارند. در بسیاری از موارد، روند بررسی این پرونده‌ها سال‌ها طول می‌کشد. با توجه به افزایش فشارهای سیاسی و برخورد کشورهای میزبان با پناهجویان، خبرنگاران و همکاران رسانه‌ای با چالش‌های جدی روبه‌رو هستند. در مرکز آزادی بیان، ما یک سری جلسات را با اعضای رهبری UNHCR آغاز کرده‌ایم و امیدواریم از طریق این گفت‌وگوها بتوانیم دادخواهی موثری برای تسهیل روند رسیدگی به پرونده‌های این خبرنگاران انجام دهیم.

اعلامیه مرکز آزادی بیان به مناسبت بیستمین سال فعالیت روزنامه «هشت صبح» به مناسبت فرارسیدن بیستمین سالروز تاسیس روزنامه معتبر واثرگذار «هشت صبح»، مرکز آزادی بیان صمیمانه‌ترین تبریکات خود را به تمامی همکاران، مسوولان ومخاطبان خوب این رسانه ابراز می‌دارد. روزنامه «هشت صبح» با حفظ استقلال حرفه‌ای وپایبندی به اصول روزنامه‌نگاری توانسته است در دو دهه پسین نقش اساسی را در میان مخاطبان این رسانه در داخل وخارج از افغانستان کسب کند. این روزنامه، با وجود تمامی فراز ونشیب‌ها، نقش برجسته‌ای را در راستای اطلاع‌رسانی، روشنگری وایجاد گفتمان ملی میان نخبگان ومردم افغانستان بازی کرده است. «هشت صبح» در این سال‌ها همواره تلاش کرده است صدای مردم باشد وبا تکیه بر روزنامه‌نگاری تحقیقی وگزارش‌گری میدانی، تصویر دقیق‌تری از واقعیت‌های افغانستان، منطقه وجهان ارائه دهد. در شرایطی که آزادی بیان وفعالیت رسانه‌ای مستقل در افغانستان با چالش‌های جدی ومحدودیت‌های گسترده روبه‌رو بوده است، ادامه فعالیت این رسانه در تبعید، با وجود همه دشواری‌ها، شایسته ستایش وقدردانی است. مرکز آزادی بیان باور دارد که نقش رسانه‌های مستقل، به‌ویژه رسانه‌هایی همچون «هشت صبح»، در پاسداری از آزادی بیان، حق دسترسی مردم به اطلاعات وحمایت از ارزش‌های انسانی، حیاتی وغیرقابل انکار است. درنهایت امیدواریم این رسانه همچنان با پایداری وتعهد حرفه‌ای، نقش مهم واثرگذار خود را با تمام قوت وقدرت ادامه دهد وبرای همه همکاران که در این مسیر دشوار تلاش می‌کنند، آرزوی موفقیت، استواری ودستاوردهای هرچه بیشتر داریم.

Full interview: Lyse Doucet in conversation with Nahlah Ayed, host of CBC Ideas. @bbclysedoucet @NahlahAyed Lyse Doucet & Nahlah Ayed on Press Freedom | Free Speech Centre Annual E... youtu.be/JtxbB_X9uJs?si=HcNm… via @YouTube

On behalf of the Afghan Journalists’ Caucus, the Free Speech Centre (FSC) was truly honoured to present a Certificate of Appreciation to the all time great @bbclysedoucet in recognition of her exceptional contributions to global journalism and her courageous reporting from some of the world’s most challenging frontlines, including Afghanistan, at the Free Speech Centre Annual Event in Toronto. @globeandmail @cjffjc @caj @jhrnews @CJFE @thewalrus @BBCWorld @natalieturvey @sayedsalahuddin