An illustration of student-teacher collaboration in the subject of News Writing and Reporting, Students engaged in the discussion on Problems and Solutions of Pakistani Jourmnalism

1. Problems and Solutions
of Journalism in
Pakistan
Instructor: Mr Ali Haider Collaborators: Arooba, Ayman, Junba

2. Problems of Journalism

3. Problems of
Journalism
Basically there are two
problems
1. Freedom of press
2. Economic condition of
press
FREEDOM OF PRESS:
There can be difference of opinion about the topic
freedom of the press. we get different opinions on
this issue. Govermant of Pakistan, history reveals,
always used a strong hand to curb the voice of
journalist on different occasions. The history of
Pakistan is full of incidents when dictators ( civil
and military) put the press under its control. The
purpose was always hiding of the facts from public.
Freedom of expression in democratic countries is
vital. But every democratic government in Pakistan
imposed restrictions on media. We know that press
should be given freedom but this freedom shall not
be misused.

4. 2.Economic
Conditions of
Press(Newspaper)
1.Distribution of advertisement:
Advertisement is blood of newspaper. 60 percent advertisement
in newspaper is from govt. and 40 percent from private sector.
Govt. uses advertisement as weapon and makes its distribution
unjustified when ever required.
2. Supply of newsprint paper:
Govt imports newsprint paper and imposes heavy taxes on it.
Govt use this monopoly as weapon against press

5. Economic Conditions of Press(Newspaper)
3. Raw material:
Press machine parts, paper, ink, plate colors and other material are getting
expensive day by day. The per capita income of reader is decreasing on the other
hand. The sales of newspapers as a result remain low and newspaper face
financial constraints.
4. Illiteracy:
literacy rate in Pakistan is 45%.

6. Economic Conditions of Press(Newspaper)
5.Press advice:
With the help of press advice newspapers are asked to do or not to do any certain
action by govt. press advice is also a weapon in the hand of govt.
6. Limited buying capacity:
Buying capacity of public in Pakistan is less. Ordinary day’s urdu newspaper is of
rs 9 and Sunday of 13, where as incase of English Rs 13 and 15 respectively.
People are not able to buy newspaper every day.

7. Economic Conditions of Press(Newspaper)
7. Unskilled journalist:
Journalists are mostly untrained. The profession is low paid. Journalist faces hard
life except few.
8. Social Habit:
People read news paper at libraries, barbershop, hotels and bookstall for the
reason that the wont have to buy it. Due to this social behavior newspapers are
not purchased and newspaper owner faces financial problems.

8. Economic Conditions of Press(Newspaper)
9. Distribution of newspaper:
The distribution agent gets 30% commission due to which newspaper industry
suffers.
10. Press trust of Pakistan:
On oct 08, 1959 ayub’s martial law was criticized by journalists. Faiz ahmed faiz ,
ahmed nadeem qasmi syed shibli hassan were arrested under safety act. The
asscociated press of Pakistan APP was taken over by government

9. Economic Conditions of Press(Newspaper)
11. Censorship:
Govt. deprives freedom of press with censorship. Censorship is usually imposed
during conflicts (internat), national crises. The govt officers check the news paper.
12. Competition with other sources of information:
Press has to compete against radio, television, internet etc.

10. Solutions to these Problems

11. Solutions of these Problems
1. Journalism can be Protected in Pakistan of the Life of Journalists is Safe.
2. If more Budget is Given to the Press
3. Civil society can play a significant role in advocating for the safety of
Pakistan's journalists in a number of ways, including:
● bringing the major stakeholders, i.e. media houses/owners, journalist
associations, and practitioners on board to help build consensus on safety
protocols
● working to end impunity and to bring justice to the families of deceased
● imparting basic conflict-sensitive reporting skills and survival techniques
essential for hostile environments to journalists working all around the
country.

12. Links
https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/how-protect-journalists-pakistan
https://www.scholarshipsads.com/problems-of-press-in-pakistan/

13. That's All Folks 🌻