Increasing Role of Media in Pakistan

Date and Venue: April 21st, 2014, IPRI Conference Hall

Presented by: Saira Rehman, Assistant Editor.

Introduction

Peoples perceptions on issues are based on medias perceptions and medias perceptions are based
mostly on non-investigated assumptions. More information than ever is being produced on more
subjects/themes and consumed now than in ever in Pakistans history. In 2002, there was only one TV
channel and one radio station in the country. Now there are nearly 100 TV channels with 42 being 24/7
current affairs channels (14 of them in regional languages). There are about 120m TV consumers, of
which 60m consume private TV channels. There are about 140m radio consumers and the newspaper
circulation figure is barely 6m with about 5 readers to a paper making about 30m daily newspaper
readers.

Over the past decade media has been most influential in impacting peoples thinking on political and
social issues. The uprising against a military ruler (Musharraf) by lawyers and judges wasnt the first time
in the countrys history. It also happened during Ziaul Haq and Ayub Khans time. However, this time the
difference was a visual medium that brought real-time information, making it possible to sustain the
momentum of a growing resistance movement. On social issues also the media has helped change the
perception on issues such as domestic violence, child rights, education and health.

However, its the states responsibility to maintain its writ in letter and spirit and deal with the issues like
terrorism, security, law and order and citizens rights.

Types of Media

Electronic

Print

Interactive ( refers to products and services on digital computer-based systems which respond to
the users actions by presenting content such as text, graphics, animation, video, audio, games,
etc.)

Print Media

Print media in Pakistan is divided linguistically into three major categories: Urdu, English and
other local/regional languages.

The English media targets the urban and the elite readership, and has great leverage among
opinion makers, politicians, the business community and the wealthy sections of society, but it
has limited circulation when compared to Urdu and other vernacular press.

There are three major players on the print media market and in the media market in general.
 The Jang Group of Newspapers is Pakistans largest media group and publishes the Urdu
language Daily Jang, The News International, Mag Weekly, and Awam. The group has a
moderate conservative perspective.

The Dawn Group of newspapers is Pakistans second largest media group and produces an array
of publications with that include the Star, Herald and the newspaper Dawn, which is its flagship.
Dawn is considered a liberal, secular paper with moderate views. The Star is Pakistans most
popular evening newspaper, and the Herald, is a current affairs monthly.

Nawa-i-Waqt is an Urdu language daily newspaper and has one of the largest readerships in the
country. It belongs to the Nawa-Waqt group, which also publishes the English newspaper, The
Nation. Like The Nation, the Nawa-i-Waqt is a right wing, conservative paper. According to Javid
Siddiq, resident editor, the paper stands for democracy and for an Islamic welfare state.

Source: (International Media Support, July 2009)

Electronic Media

The booming electronic media is powerful, but young, and needs to find a greater balance in its coverage
of political and conflict-related issues. Many journalists need training.

Which media is more effective, electronic or print?

For policymakers print media is most influential because it is urban-centric, news is backed by editorials in
which newspapers take positions on issues. For the ordinary people TV is most important as information
is backed by visuals and provides real-time information and news. However, increasingly radio is proving
great community medium as FM radio stations can talk about local issues and promote local voices,
dialects and local priorities. Radio is also almost non-sensationalist making it more reliable for local
listeners.

Functions of Media

Reporting of the things that are happening

Providing information to the public

Higher role is promoting awareness among general public about socio-political economic
problems,about weaknesses of governance, giving them critique of policies being pursued.

Importantly, creating an enlightened polity.

Media Houses of Pakistan

The three main media groups that are still active to date have their origins in the Muslim
independence movement of British India and were closely associated to some of its most
prominent political figures. However, as the politics of the newly-born Pakistan turned into a harsh
competition for power, those same media groups chose to carve their own space for survival by
taking sides in the ongoing struggle.

Weaknesses and Strengths of Media of Pakistan

Strength of electronic media is that it can make it difficult for govts and authorities to cover up
misgovernance and abuse of power. It can also mobilize public opinion quickly in favour of reformist
initiatives.

The weaknessis that its nature of real-time operations can dilute the filtration process of verifying
information. Real-time media can get sucked into a race for ratings which can result in sensationalist and
hysterical media that can end up distorting perceptions about issues.

Current Scenario of Media

Pakistani media is facing a serious crisis of credibility by having embraced sensationalism as a

substitute for ethical journalism.

It has become a statement-driven news operation in which facts and opinion are mixed while the
line between opinion and analysis is also being deliberately blurred.

Also, media being itself targeted and under threat seems to be left in limbo to take any clear cut
stance on hard core issues like terrorism, extremism, civil-military relations and national security.

Legal framework for Editorial Policy

Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan

1) Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression , and there shall be freedom
of the press , subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by the law in the interest of the glory of Islam
or the integrity , security or defense of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States ,
public order , decency or morality , or in relation to contempt of court or incitement to an offence

International covenant on civil and political rights ;

Article 19 ( 1 ) : every one shall have the right to hold opinions without interference

Article 19 ( 2 ) : every one shall have the right to freedom of expression ; This right shall include
freedom to seek receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds regardless of frontiers ,
either orally , in writing or in print , in the form of art or through any other media of his choice

Article 19 ( 3 ) : the exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph two carries with it special
duties and responsibility . It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions , but these shall only
be such as are provided by law and are necessary

Challenges of Private Media

The TV channels in Pakistan seem to have wilfully abandoned the concept of gatekeeping, which
was supposed to filter out hysteria and sensationalism.

Big Private TV Channels seem to be divided on major issues and particularly regarding civil-
military relations. Open war of words between ARY and GEO shows vested interest of Media
giants.

Extremist influence on media has been growing due to mushroom growth of TV channels that are
more interested in ratings and resort to sensationalism instead of objectivity.
Media and the State

Medias role is in creating awareness and in acting as a watchdog with regard to disputed
governance-related issues such as corruption, violence and terrorism, and the rule of law.

Medias role has been increased due to fast shrinking writ of the state and lack of consensus
among the major institutions of the state.

According to the Journalist Shahid Masood, There are no clear instructions or briefing from the
government side to the media on major, sensitive issues and incidents. Its one example is
incident of Laal Majid.

Recommendations

Strengthen investigative journalism through training and through funding that can subsidise
journalists wishing to undertake larger investigative projects.

Promote the establishment of a self-regulatory mechanism that can improve standards for
Pakistani journalism.

Media in order to report on national security issues should adopt mature, balanced and objective
policy.

Currently, gatekeeping is missing in journalism and media houses are running after ratings and
sensationalism which is not in favour of national security and countrys image.

The media does not by definition contribute positively to the development of responsive
governance and substantive democracy. It needs to work on it.

It should refuse to allow itself to be used to provide the oxygen of publicity to terror groups or to
give airtime to persons with extremist views. Eg of Afghan Media.

Areas within the country suffer from lack of access to media. Journalists reporting from conflict
areas face security problems that in turn hamper their ability to provide a free flow of information.
Government, PEMRA and Media themselves should formulate a policy to address the safety and
security of journalists.

Economically backward areas are disproportionately projected. They must get due attention as
they comprise greater area of the area than the glittering cities which remain in focus.

Question and Answer Session

Following comments and suggestions were made by the IPRI scholars after the presentation:

Role of Radio which according to quantitative analysis is more than other medias should be
highlighted and used more vigorously to disseminate information and for communication.

Electronic media has become very important and has become source of reference for a common
man. TV Talk shows especially on current affairs and politics are playing important role in making
public perception.
 Media should be very careful regarding the accuracy of facts and figures. Repetition of same
faces be it politicians, analysts or experts should be revisited and other new and knowledgeable
people should be given chance to appear on media.

There should be a regulatory authority to keep check and balances on media pertaining to
following of the PEMRAs rules for media and code of ethics.

National media has reduced the influence of and reliance on foreign media in the country.

However, to some extent media is also being used as a tool for vested interests. Influential
political people and other big fishes are using media for their interests by siphoning off funds and
favours to the media houses and persons.

Foreign funding into media is also a crucial matter and should be checked.

Conclusion

An informed citizenry and an enlightened society cannot be brought about in the absence of a
professional and public-interest media. As a multi-national, multi-ethnic, multi-sectarian, multi-religious,
multi-linguist state, Pakistan will remain confused if Pakistani media remains confused about its
missionary objective of being a public-interest, ethical profession.