Pakistan Peoples Party Senator and President of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society Sarmad Ali has stressed the critical importance of credible journalism, warning that the role of legacy media is more vital than ever in an era dominated by misinformation.
In a message shared on social media on World Press Freedom Day, Ali said a free, responsible and independent press was not just a pillar of democracy but its conscience.
He highlighted that established media institutions remained a key line of defense against the rapid spread of false information across digital platforms.
Ali noted that while technology had transformed the media landscape, it had also accelerated the spread of misinformation and disinformation, making editorial standards, verification and accountability more essential than ever.
“Supporting legacy media is not about resisting change; it is about preserving truth,” he said, emphasising that journalism must continue to be guided by ethics, professionalism and public interest rather than algorithms.
He stressed that those who valued facts over falsehoods must invest in and protect credible media institutions, adding that press freedom must go hand in hand with a responsibility to safeguard the integrity of public discourse.
Ali called for a renewed collective commitment to strengthening independent journalism, warning that without credible media, the foundation of informed decision-making and democratic accountability could be at risk.
