ISLAMABAD [Pakistan], Media freedom in Pakistan faced significant challenges last year, with more than 200 journalists and bloggers targeted through legal notices, according to a Freedom Network report released ahead of World Press Freedom Day. , Dawn reported from the 'headline'. The erosion of freedom of expression: The silencing of citizens, political parties and the media', the annual report covers the period from May 2023 to April 2024, highlighting an increase in state-driven intimidation and predatory actions by non-state actors Is. The report highlights a worrying trend of decline. Tolerance for online dissent, as well as attacks and harassment against journalists and bloggers, including the tragic murder of four journalists. These incidents not only eroded the boundaries of freedom of expression but also increased the risks to media freedom in Pakistan, as Dawn reported that over 70 legal notices were sent to media professionals."A 'Joint Investigation Team' of various government departments resulted in a number of people who were tasked to identify persons allegedly running defamation campaigns against certain judges. However, the Chief Justice later said that he would not listen to the complainant. and the judiciary was being used to target free speech. Four journalists lost their lives during the period under review, with a total of 104 cases registered against media personnel, including murders. , including injuries, kidnappings, and legal proceedings. The three ruling regimes expressed through their actions "a year between May 2023 and April 2024." Freedom has developed a dangerous consensus among its most powerful political and state figures to reduce the limits of tolerance for dissent, especially online.The report underlined that amid the crackdown on journalists and bloggers, political activists themselves were also targeted, indicating a broader attack on freedom of expression. This action coincided with warnings and actions from high-ranking officials, leading to a climate of fear "Political activists also fell into the net. All this happened against the backdrop of warnings of action by high officials, including top government functionaries, Following which online expression has been regularly targeted. The report also raised concerns over government efforts to pass the 'E-Safety Bill and Personal Data Protection Bill', which aims to regulate online content and punish social media users. The report warns that the state's intention to weaponize regulations on online content, especially journalism and social expression, will not only institutionalize coercive censorship. It will also put Pakistan's growing digital economy in danger.