Syed Saadat Jehan, Deputy Director Communication at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission (KPIC), said Right to Information not only enhances journalists’ credibility but also protects them from defamation cases by providing a legal framework to access accurate data and records.
Mr. Jehan explained that the Right to Information empowers reporters to uncover facts, expose corruption and hold authorities accountable, actions he described as essential both for journalists’ protection and for a functioning democracy. He stressed that access to verified information reduces reliance on unverified sources and strengthens lawful reporting.
The remarks came during a workshop titled “Effective Use of Right to Information (RTI) Mechanism and Media Safety” arranged by Press Freedom of Pakistan at a local hotel in Peshawar. The session brought together journalists, media professionals, legal experts and advocacy groups to explore how the Right to Information and media safety intersect in the province.
The event formed part of Pakistan Press Foundation’s ongoing efforts to equip journalists with the knowledge and tools to make effective use of RTI laws while creating space for dialogue with relevant stakeholders. Participants discussed practical steps reporters can take under the Right to Information to obtain primary records and evidence to support their reporting.
Responding to participants’ queries, Mr. Jehan said KPIC has been using every available platform to raise public awareness of the KP RTI Act and has introduced an online complaint facility where journalists and ordinary citizens can easily lodge complaints with the commission when public bodies fail to comply with RTI requests. He encouraged media professionals to familiarise themselves with the RTI mechanism to strengthen both accountability and personal legal protection.
