Explore the problems confronting journalism in Pakistan, from censorship to threats against journalists, and discover potential solutions to ensure a free and vibrant press.
Although there has been much development in the field of journalism after the establishment of Pakistan, changes have taken place, yet there had been no decrease in problems. These problems are of different and many kinds, but are not unique in fact every developing country has to face them. The problems that journalism had to face after partition, can be divided into two parts. One is the probletp of the freedom of journalism and other relates to the economics condition of newspapers. The following is a details review of these problems.
Freedom of the Press
Freedom of the press has existed from the very beginning in Pakistan Although Governments and constitution changed, yet the restrictions were imposed on the freedom of the press in every period There was also a period that when these restrictions were lifted. But the journalists took undue advantage of it and several problems were created. Restrictions were imposed again under compulsion. In the present regime, the newspaper enjoy a large measures of freedom.
Economic Condition of the Newspapers
The key to the economic problem confronting newspaper lies with the Government These economic problems become a great obstacle in the path of journalistic freedom
The following is a reviatv of these problems
- Government Advertisements
The 60% of the advertisements, published in the newspapers, are Government advertisements. Advertisements are the backbone in the system of newspaper. They play an important role in bringing the prices of newspapers to a moderate level The division of these advertisements on behalf of the Government is unjustified. The Government uses the advertisement as weapon to snatch the freedom of a newspaper
- Private Advertisements
A good part of the advertisements that are published in the newspapers, come from private institutions These private institutions at times exert pressure on the new spapers through these advertisements. This, affect the freedom of journalism If the newspapers do not accept their pressure, they have to face great financial problems,. This is a great problem for journalism of Pakistan.
- Newsprint Paper
To run and industry some basic material is required Paper is needed for publishing a newspaper Without this the publication of the newspaper is impossible The separation of East Pakistan created problems of newsprint paper The Government import paper and imposed import duty The Government can use n as a weapon at any given time to create obstacle in the way of the press
- Printing Material
Newspaper machinery ink, plates, colours and chemicals are imported in addition to spare parts. They cost a lot and their arrival in time is not certain. It creates problem for the industry The price of newspaper is enhanced which the readers have to pav
- Press Advice
The Government uses Press Advice as a weapon to stop criticism of the negligence of an administrative institution or the injustice done to the citizens Under this Press Advice newspapers are directed to print an article or not.
- The Circulation of the Newspapers
The circulation of the newspapers in Pakistan is only 16/17 lacs. This number is very high in Japan or America, Pakistani newspapers have to face problems on account of limited circulation of the newspapers It causes economic problems The cause of shortage in circulation is one account of less rate of literacy in Pakistan Most of the population of. the countrv is illiterate.
These people cannot ead the newspaper Therefore, they do not buy it. Our social habits are such that most of the people read newspapers, in the libraries, some read these at barber shops In the village, there are but a few who can read a newspaper Another habit of the people is that instead of reading or buying a newspaper, they spend this money on another recreations.
- Distribution of the Newspapers
Agents are needed for the distribution of newspapers after publication. Newspapers give to the agents 33 to 40 commission If
this system is done away with, then the newspapers will have to suffer a lot. Newspapers cannot . be distributed Therefore, newspapers are compelled to take help fiom agents. For this reason newspapers have to face great financial problems
- Means of Communication
For proper circulation newspapers had proper means of communication. In certain areas and places the newspapers are sent by means of buses and trains Buses and trains are preffered even if plans are available. If a newspaper does not reach in time very few people buy it.
9 The Means of Getting News
Newspapers get news mostly from news agencies. They have to pay for it If the publication of the newspaper is less either due to the lack of purchasing power or some other reasons, they have to bear all the expenses, it creates financial problems. In addition to these problems, there are several other problems which are as follows:
The Problem of the Possession of Newspapers
In the beginning journalism was a mission Much money was not required to publish a newspaper If a news paper was closed, it could be reissued after depositing a small amount The newspaper could be published with a small amount. Now journalism is not a mission but has assumed the position of business.
Now it is hot possible for any one man to publish a newspaper In the .Martial Law of 1958, Government nationalized a big newspaper institution PPL (Progressive Papers Limited) that published “The Pakistan Times”,. “The Imroze”, “The Lail-o- Nehra” and “The Mashriq” became a property of the trust Besides Press Trust, other important national newspapers belonged to big companies and institutions. These institutions used the newspapers for their own interest. Other small or regional newspapers could not succeed It reduced the number of newspaper It has established the monopoly of a few families.
Mutual Competition of the Newspapers
Of the innumerable problems of journalism in Pakistan, one is the competition among the newspapers. All the newspapers try to excel to increase their circulation and to maintain their prestige I’hey publish different beautiful editions; their expenses create problems for the newspapers Sometimes, in spite of meagei resources more expenses are incurred to maintain one another prestige
Competition with Other Media
The competition of newspaper with other communication media which include T V., Film, Art Councils and Theater, cause-, more problems for journalism because the newspapers in order to increase their publication and maintain, their standard, have to give different articles of a varied interest in comparison with T V and Radio They have to publish different editions which create economic problems.
The Problem of the Salaries of Journalist and Workers
Another important problem is that there is no special principle for the salaries of the journalists and workers, the journalists are not paid in accordance with their labour Therefore their performance is affected They always have a feeling of insecurity. The Government fixed their wages in 1960 It included allowance and holidays But, they are not paid salaries and allowance in accordance with this Some allowances are deducted.
The Problem of the Performance of Journalists
If the journalists do not have to face economical and financial problems, they cannot improve their performance. Since financial problems always poster than they cannot perform theii duties with full attention Therefore, the work of the newspapers is affected.
The Attitude of the Proprietors towards Workers
The proprietors think that the. working journalists are their purchased slaves They take an undue advantage of their economic obligations. They serve them with unjustified notices and have their explanation called For this reason the journalists have no good opinion about their proprietors and do not work heartedly The proprietors also have to bear unnecessary loss.