Today’s Globe and Mail editorial on the death of Pakistani journalist Saleem Shahzad calls on democratic countries, including Canada, to stand up for freedom of the press by first standing up to Pakistan.

Shahzad’s body was recently found with 17 wounds, including deep cuts from a beating that caused his ribs to pierce his lungs. His abduction and murder happened scant days after Shahzad’s story about an al-Qaeda raid on a Karachi naval base was published in Asia Times Online. The story reported that the terrorist group was helped by sympathizers within the base.

“If journalists are going to stand up to this form of censorship,” reads the Globe, “they will need the support of Pakistani government authorities in investigating and prosecuting those responsible for the abduction and death of Mr. Shahzad.”

They’ll also need to help of other countries, who, according to the paper, “should impress on Pakistan the importance of upholding the freedom of the press to report without fear of death.”

In other words, it’s time to put the pressure on.