Pakistan, April 16 -- In recent years, the boundaries between different public roles in Pakistan have grown increasingly blurred. One of the most troubling trends is the confusion between activists, academics, and journalists. While each has a vital role in society, their responsibilities and ethical standards differ-and this difference matters, perhaps more now than ever before.

An academic is someone who teaches, researches, and contributes to the development of knowledge. Their work is built on critical thinking, fact-based analysis, and an openness to multiple perspectives. Academics are expected to challenge ideas, not push them. Their authority lies in the quality of their scholarship, not in the volume of their voice.

A journalis...