Media In Pakistan Research Articles

A Systematic Investigation of Tobacco Industry Sourced Data Relating to Illicit Tobacco Trade Featured in Pakistan's Media Coverage (2015-2020).

Previous evidence suggests the tobacco industry uses media to disseminate misleading narratives relating to illicit tobacco trade (ITT) as part of efforts to influence policy outcomes. Such evidence is largely high-income countries (HIC) focused, resulting in a literature gap for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Pakistan and its annual budget cycle are used as a case study for addressing this gap. Electronic English-language articles from newspapers in Pakistan (328) were sourced from LexisNexis and a sub-sample of Urdu-language electronic articles (12) were identified through internet searches. The articles were published between 2015 and 2020 and included claims/estimates relating to ITT, which were coded to identify cited data sources. Changes in media coverage before and after Pakistan's annual budget announcements were explored via Wilcoxon signed rank and Poisson regression tests. Of the 357 claims/estimates analyzed, 66 (20%) were industry-funded. The most prevalent sources were national government bodies (36.6%) and tobacco companies or their representatives (15.1%). Wilcoxon signed-rank and Poisson regression tests on the frequency of English-language articles both created a p-value of < .05 for the frequency of relevant articles between the months of April and May, compared to the other months, indicating statistical significance. There was a statistically significant increase in the number of English-language articles featuring claims/estimates relating to Pakistan's ITT in the months leading up to the annual budget each year. The government should consider measures to improve transparency standards within media coverage and promote factcheck journalism to safeguard against industry tactics to manipulate public discourses. This paper is, to the best of our knowledge, the largest exploration of the use of data sourced from the tobacco industry within a country's media that has been undertaken to date, utilizing a team of seven coders across the United Kingdom and Pakistan. Our findings reveal weaknesses within media coverage of ITT in Pakistan, both in English and Urdu language publications. We encourage the government to consider new standards to enhance transparency and promote factcheck journalism within media coverage in the country.

Political Unfriending on Social Media: A Survey Study

Political unfriending on social media in Pakistan refers to the increasing usage of social media platforms for political discourse and activism in the country. This research purpose is to explore the extent to which individuals are influenced by political differences and how this influence ultimately provokes them to unfriend other users from their social networks, this was observed under the umbrella of cognitive dissonance theory. In order to study this, a Survey was adopted as the research methodology to observe the viewpoints of individuals with respect to their political preferences on social media by employing a quantitative research design with the help of university students, a sample of 300 respondents was selected who responded over a questionnaire based upon closed-ended questions along with systematic sampling technique which is used for analyzing and interpreting data which helped us to draw a valid conclusion.

Algorithmic Bias and Political Polarization: Analyzing the Role of News Aggregators and Social Media in Pakistan

Algorithmic Bias and Political Polarization: Analyzing the Role of News Aggregators and Social Media in Pakistan

Climate Displacement in Pakistan: (under) reported Frame in Media Discourse on Climate Change in Pakistan

Climate disruption has brought irreversible damage to the world. Since global communities are being widely affected by these changes, masses of the populations are facing climate induced displacement. Such displacements involve internal as well as cross border migration. Climate change is marginalized issue in the hand of media in Pakistan, making climate induced displacement doubly underreported. This study focuses on the media coverage of climate change displacement in Pakistani media discourse. The key research objectives include; to find frequency of climate related news during flood coverage in Pakistan, to assess the nature of themes covered while reporting flood related news during defined period of time and to find climate change induced displacement in media coverage of floods in Pakistan. This study uses content analysis as a research method. Time frame focused in the current study involves 15th June 2022 to 15th September 2022, when flood hit major part of Pakistan. Findings of the study reveal that during defined period of time climate change induced displacement remained under reported in Pakistani newspapers (Dawn, The Nation and The Express Tribune). Moreover, while covering irregular weather events pertaining to climate change, main focus remained on damage, government criticism and aid related process.

Crisis risk communication and public behavior: Analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan

This study underpins the crisis risk communication (CRC) theory, investigating the integral role of social media in Pakistan towards COVID-19, its influence on cognitive priming processes, and behavior regulation. Empirical findings reveal predominantly positive public sentiment toward preventive behaviors, with mask-wearing and sanitizer use widely embraced. However, the inclination to avoid gatherings with risk groups is comparatively lower. This collective adherence to preventive measures suggests a shared effort to curb COVID-19, influenced by factors like the perceived helpfulness of social media. The populace exhibits a predominantly favorable attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination, signifying widespread acceptance of vaccines within the country. Additionally, the study assesses public satisfaction with the government’s pandemic management, revealing an overall positive sentiment. Nonetheless, concerns emerge regarding essential needs, including food, shelter, and treatment. Enhancing our insight, this study sheds light on the intricate interplay between CRC, social media, and public behavior amidst a health crisis. The insights gleaned from this study provide valuable guidance for policymakers and public health practitioners to refine future communication strategies and address societal concerns effectively during pandemics.

Legal Framework for Socially Responsible Social Media Platforms in Pakistan

ABSTRACT This research is aimed to investigate wider phenomenon of possible need for legislation for regulation of social media in Pakistan. In-depth interview research method was applied under Qualitative study to investigate this phenomenon. Overall, 10 respondents from law and media departments from public as well as private sector universities of five main cities were chosen to collect their opinion with the help of 15 structured questionnaire with open ended approach. The study found out that there was no legislation existent for regulation of social media in Pakistan. The study revealed voices were raised from different corners of society including journalistic bodies labelling restriction and embargo on freedom of speech. The study concluded that the government should introduce such legislation after having detailed discussion with relevant stakeholders including public sector media organizations, information departments, law and media departments and other relevant stakeholders. The study concluded that socially responsible legislation was required for socially responsible social media in Pakistan. Purpose: The basic objective of this study was to unearth existing legal framework for regulation of social media in the country at par with the international best standards for regulation of social media. This study was tasked to ascertain the opinion of the relevant stakeholders of social media of public and private sector and recommend socially responsible social media in the country. However, the legislation should equally be acceptable for all the relevant stakeholders to make social media effective with its positive use in the long run. Design/Methodology/Approach: Qualitative study was employed along with in-depth interviews having 15 structured questions with open approach to collect data from 10 respondents from five media and law departments from public and private sector universities. Findings: The results showcased the findings that there was no existent legal framework for regulation of social media in hand. However, in recent past, the federal government has constituted a separate department called National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to regulate social media as well as investigate online crimes being committed on social media. However, the legislation was unavailable in this regard. The results revealed all the stakeholders can assemble at one point and draw an effective legislation in this regard to make social media socially reasonable. Implications/Originality/Value: This study seems valuable to the extent as it provides a ray of hope to the depressed consumers of social media especially the parents and teachers as the socially responsible legislation may turn social media as positive platforms. This study may also provide guidelines for the future researchers to investigate the phenome at provincial and district level in the country.

Analyzing the Pivotal Role of Mass Media in Shaping Economic Policies and Perceptions in Pakistan

The impact of mass media on society is undeniable. Its effective influence on reporting an issue in hand can make or break the story. Free media is not an extravagance. It is the foundation of impartial development in society. Media can monitor government actions and so serve as a check on public policy. Similarly, corruption can be exposed by the media. It provides a forum for a range of viewpoints on reform and governance and aids in fostering a consensus among the populace in favour of change. These media improve the efficiency of markets. This study examines the role of mass media in Pakistan's economic development. To meet the aim of the study, this research uses the interview method. The findings of the study suggest that the media has the power to play its part in handling Pakistan's economic crisis with objective and responsible coverage. However, corporate media in Pakistan is lacking in representing actual issues or possible reasons for economic decline in the country. There is a need for more responsible reporting by mass media in Pakistan.

THE PARALLELISM OF ENGLISH AND URDU PRESS IN PAKISTAN: CHALLENGES AND OUTCOMES

This paper examines Urdu and English press in Pakistan to identify the differences between the two. Linguistically, both Urdu and English mass media function as the leading media of Pakistan; however, the differences of news and views in presentation, style, and focus refer to an information chasm that we call ‘information segregation.’ In our study, that spans over the period of one-year, i.e., January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, we essentially engage in a critical discourse analysis of front-page news stories and op-ed articles (mostly editorials) of four national broadsheet newspapers, especially for two important incidents in 2023, i.e., (i) the May 9 riots, and (ii) the Jaranwala incident. Our analysis demonstrates that there is a difference of focus and presentation style especially in issues related to disputing the status quo and having a bold/critical stance on religiously controversial and sensitive issues such as blasphemy law. In this difference, English media appears to have an audacious approach as compared to Urdu media. With Walter Lipmann, we argue that news and views in media are subject to journalistic and editorial choices. Although studying the reasons of these choices is beyond the scope of this study, we contend that a linguistically different mass media in Pakistan creates (and perpetuates) different worldview for its audience, which is unaligned with inclusive and egalitarian norms of a democratic society.

Government 2.0: Government-Citizen Engagement through Social Media in Pakistan

This study aims to analyze how the Pakistani public engages with e-government, particularly at the local government level. The research focuses on the social media tools utilized by selected institutions, their social media management practices, institutional policies, and the impact of their initiatives. The study highlights the limited responsiveness of Pakistanis towards e-government adoption. The study shows that Pakistani government institutions are increasingly using social media platforms to engage with the public, establish connections, and receive feedback. However, certain departments need to transition to online platforms, necessitating more digital integration. Government social media administrators include CEOs, regional directors, information officers, and media officers, highlighting the complexity of public sector social media management. The study indicates that numerous social media management departments use data to highlight teamwork but have fewer senior female officers. The most commonly used social media platforms by government agencies are Facebook, official websites, and WhatsApp. Meeting citizens' expectations requires addressing issues, responding to queries, and maximizing the potential of social media. However, despite the popularity of social media, residents still prefer contacting government entities by phone and in person. Therefore, the study emphasizes the importance of clear social media policies for government bodies. The study underscores the need for government institutions to adapt their social media strategies based on public preferences. The report suggests that standard operating procedures (SOPs), varied social media teams, and explicit government social media laws can help improve the situation. The study provides a reliable framework for future research and legislation on government-citizen social media engagement, although it primarily reflects government officials' viewpoints.&#x0D;

Analyzing the News Coverage of the Marginalized Group of Transgender People in Pakistani Media

The researchers analyzed how Pakistani media report issues relating to transgender people in their routine news coverage. After selecting the reputed English-language newspapers Dawn and The News, the researchers employed content analysis to examine the media approach toward transgender people thoroughly. The findings of the study revealed a 'soft approach' of media toward this marginalized group, as both newspapers highlighted their issue more favorably, supporting the stances of transgender people, especially regarding the security or threats being faced by them. According to Gillig et al. (2018), watching stories about transgender people decreased the [negative] impact of political ideology on the opinions of viewers. As a result, the main findings of this study reflect the supportive attitude toward transgender people in Pakistani media. This approach of media in Pakistan will help to reduce negative perceptions about transgender people because more conservative viewers' perceptions have changed as a result of seeing more positive media representations of these individuals. Nonetheless, there is a need for more positive news coverage because transgender related issues received a minimal amount of coverage—106 news stories over a year in both of the selected newspapers—which appears to be an insufficient amount of coverage of this population.

Polio vaccine misinformation on social media: challenges, efforts, and recommendations

On April 22, 2019, false rumors regarding the side effects of the polio vaccine quickly spread across various social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), WhatsApp, and YouTube. This rapid spread of misinformation had a detrimental impact on Pakistan's efforts to eradicate polio. This essay sheds lights on two critical aspects related to polio vaccine misinformation on social media in Pakistan. First, it examines the current state of polio vaccine misinformation on social media and finds it a significant threat to public health, resulting in vaccine refusals, erosion of trust in public health institutions, distrust in science, and providing opportunities for anti-vaccination groups and individual advocates to target healthcare workers involved in polio eradication efforts nationwide. Second, it highlights the collaborative initiatives undertaken by relevant government institutions and social media companies, which have proven inadequate in effectively addressing the persistent dissemination of mis/disinformation, particularly on Facebook. Lastly, we suggest Pakistan should adopt a more inclusive approach of engaging all stakeholders, promote independent fact-checking initiatives, and increase health literacy among the target population about the risks and benefits associated with the polio vaccine.

The Evolution of Broadcast Media in Pakistan: Data Analysis of Trends, Challenges, and Future Prospects

This study tackles the challenge of understanding the evolution of broadcast media in Pakistan, a rapidly transforming sector influenced by diverse factors. Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and drawing on responses from industry professionals and stakeholders, the research investigates the impact of technological advancements, government regulations, economic factors, social trends, cultural influences, and digital literacy on media evolution. Key findings include the significant role of technological advancements in driving media evolution, necessitating ongoing innovation in the sector. Government regulations are found to have a dual impact - essential for maintaining standards, yet potentially restrictive, calling for more adaptable policy frameworks. Economic factors, particularly advertising revenue, are closely linked to media evolution, underscoring the sector's financial dynamics. Social trends significantly influence media content and engagement strategies, highlighting the importance of audience-centric approaches. Cultural influences moderate the relationship between technology and media evolution, emphasizing the need for cultural sensitivity in media practices. Digital literacy emerges as a crucial mediator, suggesting that enhancing digital skills is key to leveraging economic and technological advancements. The study's contributions extend to understanding media dynamics in emerging economies, offering a detailed analysis of the factors shaping broadcast media in Pakistan. The implications for each hypothesis underscore the necessity for a nuanced approach to media development, balancing technological growth with socio-cultural and regulatory considerations. Policy implications emphasize the importance of fostering an environment that supports technological innovation, economic sustainability, regulatory flexibility, social responsiveness, and cultural inclusivity. Such an approach is vital for the robust and sustainable evolution of broadcast media in Pakistan, aligning with both domestic needs and global trends.

Analyzing the Effects of Twitter on Electronic Media A Study of By-Elections 2022 in Pakistan

This research examines the impact of Twitter on electronic media in Pakistan during the by-elections of 2022. The study specifically focuses on the strategies utilized by political personalities, such as Imran Khan and Maryam Nawaz, to shape public conversation. Twitter, a highly influential social media tool, exerts significant influence in shaping public opinion and setting the agenda. This study uses agenda-setting theory to examine the impact of Twitter debates during the by-elections on the public's perception of prominent themes. This study explores eleven main themes, which include political issues and socio-economic factors. These themes contain topics such as "Lifafa Journalism," "Imported Government," "Lawlessness," and "Inflation." This study conducts a thorough examination of Twitter engagement, uncovering discrepancies in the frequency of tweets and accompanying media coverage received by Imran Khan and Maryam Nawaz on four prominent news networks. It is worth mentioning that Maryam Nawaz's tweets have a notable prevalence, particularly about topics such as "Harsh Language" and "Incompetent Government." On the other hand, Imran Khan's influence is evident in thematic domains such as "Imported Government," "Inflation," "Regime Change," and "Haqeeqi Azadi." The analysis of media coverage reveals that Imran Khan's tweets garnered significant visibility across many thematic categories, particularly on prominent news channels like as ARY News, Geo News, Sama News, and Dunya News. In contrast, the tweets of Maryam Nawaz received considerable attention, namely from Geo News and Dunya News, illustrating the varied media strategies utilized by each leader.

THE ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND CHALLENGES JOURNALISTS FACE IN PRACTICING PEACE JOURNALISM IN ENGLISH AND URDU NEWSPAPERS DURING PAKISTAN'S CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE

Pakistan's media landscape can be easily divided into Urdu and English streams. Since Urdu is Pakistan’s national language and is spoken throughout the country, so Urdu journalism finds a wide readership. Meanwhile, the readers of English journalism are limited to upper-middle and resourceful circles. Both streams appear to follow different foci and working styles. During the past few years (2018-2023), in the polarized situation of Pakistani politics, both media streams performed differently, which has caused ethical considerations and challenges for journalists in practicing peace journalism. The study focuses on the ethical challenges faced by Pakistani journalists engaged in peace journalism, particularly within the context of the political climate prevalent in the country for the selected period (2018-2023). Drawing from Lynch and McGoldrick (2005), this study explores how language barriers and cultural differences shape journalists' approaches to peace journalism in Pakistan. By employing in-depth interviews with journalists of Urdu and English journalistic streams, we also seek to understand the ethical considerations and challenges journalists face practicing peace journalism in English and Urdu newspapers in Pakistan's current political climate.

Exploring The Social Responsibilities Of Pakistan's Media, Perceptions Of The Audience

Exploring The Social Responsibilities Of Pakistan's Media, Perceptions Of The Audience

The Impact of the Digital Environment on Consumer Satisfaction in Pakistan's Media Industry: A Quantitative Analysis

The impact of the digital environment on customer satisfaction in Pakistan's media industry is investigated in this research. Customer engagement, content marketing, and perceived content quality are the three aspects of the digital environment that affect customer satisfaction. A self-administered questionnaire has been adapted to collect the data using a quantitative approach from TV channel viewers who regularly watch different channels and are found to be keen observers of the quality of online content. Through an online survey, 348 valid questionnaires were gathered. Descriptive and inferential data analyses were performed, including reliability tests, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and hypotheses testing using AMOS structural equation modeling. According to the researchers, consumer satisfaction is greatly impacted by the three factors related to the digital environment. This study also emphasizes the critical impact of TV show content in forming society's perception. It highlights the necessity for a detailed comprehension of how these contents impact the public's access to information. However, by focusing on customer engagement, implementing effective content marketing strategies, and ensuring high perceived quality of content, the media industry can enhance viewer satisfaction. This can enhance viewer loyalty and a competitive advantage in the digital landscape.

Effects of TV Dramas on Pakistani Culture: A Case Study of Bahria University Islamabad

The study was conducted to explore the influencing role of media in Pakistan because if the media of any nation is fascinated by the evolution of the multinational media, then the watchers are willing to embrace those transformations. The main goals of the analysis were to investigate the effects of TV dramas on clothing, food, language and living style, customs, traditions, social norms and values of Pakistani society by applying cultivation theory as a model for this research. For this purpose, a survey method was utilized. The sample population of the analysis consisted of 190 members including students and faculty members from Bahria University Islamabad. A questionnaire consisting of closed ended questions was utilized as a research tool. The outcomes show that Multinational media deeply affect youths in a negative direction. The expected results of the investigation prove a negative impact on Pakistani lifestyle and individuality. Some recommendations are being mentioned to highlight and deliver the TV media that nurture our moral values, customs, and traditions in civilization.

Photographic Reportage of War on Terror: A Perspective of Mainstream Print Media in Pakistan

The current study focuses on the depiction of ‘war on terror’ in Pakistan's mainstream print media in 2014-15. After the APS (Army Public School, Peshawar) assault in December 2014, there was a large number of sensitive contents shared on media. This research examines visual content published in leading newspapers of Pakistan, namely, Dawn, Daily Jang, and Nawa-i-Waqt from December 2014 to November 2015. The researchers examined the front and back pages of the chosen newspapers for specific photojournalistic evidence during a set period of time. For this research, quantitative content analysis and simple random sampling method was used. According to the findings of the study, the frequency of negative pictures related to the ‘war on terror’ is higher in Pakistan's print media. In addition, when compared to English print media, the Urdu press has a higher frequency of graphic content connected to the war on terror. It's also been noted that the mainstream print media (Dawn, Jang, and Nawa-e-Waqt) aren't doing a good photojournalism related to war on terror. When compared to the English press in Pakistan, the Urdu press provides greater sensationalism and dramatization in terms of pictorial coverage of the incident.

The Role of Media in the Preservation and Promotion of Archaeological Heritage

Globally, information and communications technologies are opening new doors for experiencing and exploring ancient heritage through cross‐media interaction. This research paper is an attempt to understand and highlight the role of Pakistani media that it can play to save and preserve the historic legacies of our nation for future generations. We have witnessed that ever since the liberalization of media in Pakistan around 1990, it has been growing at a remarkable pace and has matured. It has experienced massive technological changes both in traditional and new media mores. We have also witnessed its positive role in highlighting some key issues, which our nation has and is currently facing.

Business Monopoly, Cross-Ownership and Quest for Media Management in Pakistan

The current study critically analyzed the existing state of consolidated media in Pakistan, its business models and its role in society. Consistent with the scholarly work, the study discussed that the five most influential media companies in Pakistan are less democratic, more professionalized and institutionalized which obstruct the free flow of ideas in the marketplace by ignoring alternative perspectives. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) was mandated to ensure an equitable, pluralistic and diversified media system but it failed to deliver in the face of the corporate media sector. The present research also called for a more localized and less institutionalized media system in Pakistan to accommodate the concerns of all ethnicities and communities which will help in bringing more social cohesion and integration as compared to the existing media system which is alienating periphery and promoting bland consumerism.