Business Management Model of Private and Public News Channels in Pakistan: A Case Study of GEO News and PTV News

Abstract

Purpose: The chief purpose of this study was designed to explore the phenomenal changes of business management models of the private and public news channels in Pakistan. The rationale behind this objective was to explore changing business approaches as adopted by the private news channel like Geo News and the public news channel like PTV News. The advent of the social media has altogether changed the landscape for the traditional media including newspapers and news channels, therefore, it seemed quite appropriate to explore new strategies for enhancing business for news channels in Pakistan. 
 Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employed in-depth interviews qualitative method to collect qualitative data from different patterns of data for major themes. Qualitative Content Analysis was partially employed to minimize large stream of data into small chunk and analyze data accordingly.
 Findings: The study found out that the state-run news channel like PTV News was solely relying for financial support on the federal and provincial governments. Accordingly, the PTV News was providing absolute coverage to public departments and enhancing image of the ministers of the ruling political party and their ministries to enhance their public trust. However, the private news channel like GEO News has to make all-out efforts on advertising agencies, real estate sectors, multi-national companies, national and international corporations to meet its financial besides enhancing business of the Channel. Reciprocally, the private sector providing huge funding to GEO News has some sort of influence on its editorial content and news coverage thus compromising freedom of express to some extent. 
 Implications/Originality/Value: The study has drawn a visible line between financial expenditure and its impact on news coverage and editorial policy. PTV News was providing absolute coverage to public departments due to financial dependency, whereas the GEO News was providing coverage to all political parties and other public and private sector with slight difference. However, the freedom of expression of the GEO News was compromised to some extent because of financial dependency.