Veteran journalist Hussain Naqi, who edited the South Asian Media Monitor 2004, said the report was a trustworthy, which would hopefully open a debate.
Editor of daily 'Dawn' Tahir Mirza in his message said: "There are problems with the media. In Pakistan, we have not still quite managed to break free from the old mindset on issues of nationalism and religion, and in India some of the grand design attitude of government in New Delhi has also been reflected in the press.
Bangladesh has had a history of political ups and downs, but its media has remained resilient". As Pakistan and India moved closer to a relationship, the media too would gain from greater interaction. This in turn would have a liberalising influence throughout the region, he added.
Safma secretary-general, Imtiaz Alam cited some recent attacks on the media in Nepal and said his organisation would send a select team to probe media situation in the Himalayan country after King Gyanendra seized control of the country two weeks ago.
Maldives, he said, was a nightmare for journalists. Three journalists of an online newsletter are behind the bars since 2002 for writing against the authoritarian rule of President and advocating democracy and human rights, the report said.
Imtiaz Alam said: "No state in South Asia is ready to accept the adversarial role of media as a watchdog of civil society. However, journalists remained steadfast in asserting their rights in the face of adversity. Most remarkable was, and is, the struggle of Nepalese journalists against the curbs imposed on them both by the security forces and the Maoist insurgents". He said the media must encourage open debate and dialogue to create room for flexibility and compromise, rather than becoming instrumental in the hands of officialdoms or a prisoner of respective rigid national standpoints.
Secretary-General Safma India, Vinod Sharma said establishments tended to promote stereotypes. He said media should highlight and debate issues that concern people. "Journalists in India are hired on a three-year contract and this has weakened trade unionism. They are sought to be isolated in a subtle way. You don't need to kill them now," Sharma, who works for India's Hindustan Times newspaper, said. He said the days of journalistic activism were over. Now it is time for guerrilla warfare. Hit when it is opportune. Survive in the pursuit of truth.
President Safma India, K.K. Katyal said that the journalists have to face the odds of coercive laws and threats to their lives and indignity.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Director, I.A. Rehman called the Media Monitor report a truthful mirror of the state of the media in South Asia. The report shows media people's capacity and courage to standby their rights, he said. The media in South Asian states, especially in India and Pakistan, have identical tormenters, he said.