According to the Pakistan Press Freedom Report 2020-2021 released by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), while murder, physical assaults, extra-legal abductions as well as threats and arrests of media personnel continued unabated, the past year also saw a focus on attempts to directly control the very content being produced by the media. Directives issued by the media regulatory bodies, bans on entire platforms and efforts to create rules that enhance legal repercussions have created an environment where the media is censored, and journalists are pushed towards self-censorship. The report notes that the new challenge was added to the mix with the spread of COVID-19 which has taken the lives of several journalists and media practitioners. In addition to the safety of journalists from the virus itself, the pandemic has created new challenges in terms of press freedom. In view of the role of journalists on the frontline and the increased risk of exposure to the coronavirus the report calls for media practitioners be considered as frontline workers and should be given priority in getting protective vaccinations.