Judicial Movement and Civil Society: A Sociological Perspective on Media's Role as Watchdog in Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan has a vibrant media landscape. In spite of political pressure and direct bans, the media is sometimes subject to the state. Media is independent to a large extent. After having been liberalized in 2002, the television sector experienced a media boom. In the fiercely competitive environment that followed commercial interests became paramount and quality journalism gave way to sensationalism. The Pakistani media landscape reflects a multilinguistic, multi-ethnic and class-divided society. Media gives the public a platform for discussion and analyzing matters of interest. This research analyzed the role of media through qualitative content analysis. This study includes electronic journalists from Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Concerning the qualitative content, it also includes five senior print and electronic journalists' interviews. This research had taken social responsibility theory back to this study. Media executed judicial movements and further media played its role in the erosion of military involvement in political institutions,Educating masses and endowment of human rights.