By Sheraz Khan, London
Under the auspices of the Pakistan Press Club UK, a seminar was organized in Birmingham, hosted by Central Vice President Sajid Yousaf. Special guests included PFUJ’s Central President Afzal Butt, President Arshad Rachyal of PPCUK, alongside former editor Daily Jang Zahoor Niazi, Mazhar Abbass, Nasir Zaidi, Shabir Shah,Yaqoob Niazmi, Azhar Sajjad, and others who discussed the topic from various perspectives from Pakistan and around the world. This event shed light on the challenges faced by Pakistani journalism and channels.
*My perspective on this matter is as follows:
Journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion, holding those in power accountable, and fostering an informed society. However, like many countries, it faces its own set of responsibilities and challenges. Here, we delve into the key aspects of Pakistani journalism, its responsibilities, and the hurdles it encounters.
Responsibilities;
- Informing the Public: The foremost responsibility of Pakistani journalism is to provide accurate and timely information to the public, enabling citizens to make informed decisions about their lives and their country.
- Upholding Democratic Values: Pakistani journalists are tasked with upholding democratic principles, such as freedom of speech and the press, and ensuring that the voices of all segments of society are heard.
3.Fostering Accountability: Journalists serve as watchdogs, holding government officials, public figures, and institutions accountable for their actions and decisions.This involves investigative reporting to uncover corruption, inefficiency, and wrongdoing.
- Promoting Diversity: journalism should reflect the diversity of its society, including various ethnicities, religions, and cultural backgrounds, to foster inclusivity and understanding among its citizens.
- Championing Human Rights: Journalists have a responsibility to shed light on human rights abuses, advocate for marginalized communities, and amplify their voices to effect positive change.
*Challenges Facing Pakistani Journalism:
- Threats to Press Freedom: Journalists in Pakistan often face threats, harassment, and violence, both from state actors and non-state actors, leading to self-censorship and a chilling effect on free speech.
- Censorship and Control:
3.The government and powerful interest groups exert control over media outlets through censorship, advertising revenue, and legal intimidation, limiting the scope of independent reporting. - Safety Concerns: Journalists in Pakistan risk their lives to report on sensitive issues such as terrorism, religious extremism, and political corruption, leading to targeted attacks, kidnappings, and even assassinations.
- Lack of Training and Resources: Many journalists in Pakistan lack proper training, resources, and support systems, hindering their ability to produce high-quality, investigative journalism.
- Ethical Dilemmas: In the pursuit of sensationalism and ratings, some media outlets in Pakistan prioritize entertainment over informative content, compromising journalistic ethics and integrity.
Conclusion:
Pakistani journalism shoulders the weighty responsibility of informing, engaging, and empowering the public, despite facing numerous challenges. To overcome these hurdles and fulfill its mandate, Pakistani journalists require greater support from the government, civil society, and the international community to safeguard press freedom, enhance professionalism, and uphold the highest ethical standards. Only then can Pakistani journalism truly serve as a beacon of democracy and accountability in the nation.
