Media Affecting Upon or Affected by Foreign Policy: The Case of Paksitan (original) (raw)

Media Affecting Upon or Affected By Foreign Policy: The Case of Pakistan

2012

In the modern democratic societies, mass media has emerged as an important contributing factor of foreign policy. Walter Lippmann defines media as 'an organ of democracy' because in democratic societies media has the potential to translate the dictum of 'government of the people, by the people and for the people.' Media and foreign policy relationships are discussed in two parts; the first part defines the issue in broader perspective while the second part describes the issue in Pakistan's perspective. Media and foreign policy dimensions suggested by Hamid Mowlana (1997) are considered in the backdrop of media theories of agenda-setting, gatekeeping, framing, CNN effect, and propaganda model of Herman and Chomsky. Three types of relationships may exist between media and foreign policy; manipulative/monolithic/advocative; adversarial; and indifferent. Media of the capitalist countries and particularly the US media have been manipulative, monolithic and advocative. As far as Pakistani media is concerned, it has remained indifferent towards foreign policy for most of the time as it has been under strict government control during military regimes. Main goals of Pakistan's foreign policy are discussed through the lenses of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. An overview of the different phases of Pakistan's foreign policy, suggested by Hasan Askari, facilitates the reader to establish its relation with the media.

Mediatization in Pakistan (2)

SAGE, 2016

A survey of Pakistani journalists, members of the policy community and media academics found that the mediatization of Pakistan is having a mixed effect on the stability of the country's fragile democracy. Members of the policy community generally have a more positive view of the impact of the media on Pakistani society than those who work in the profession and say they take media reaction into account before making decisions, although all groups said the media are still unable to fulfill its watchdog role without fear of retribution. The results are in line with studies in the developed world that found that the more politicians believe in a stronger media effect, the more susceptible they become to media agenda setting. The findings also bolster the 'co-evolution' theory that argues media gain influence as democracy stabilizes in post-autocratic environments.

Mediatization in Pakistan

A survey of Pakistani journalists, members of the policy community and media academics found that the mediatization of Pakistan is having a mixed effect on the stability of the country's fragile democracy. Members of the policy community generally have a more positive view of the impact of the media on Pakistani society than those who work in the profession and say they take media reaction into account before making decisions, although all groups said the media are still unable to fulfill its watchdog role without fear of retribution. The results are in line with studies in the developed world that found that the more politicians believe in a stronger media effect, the more susceptible they become to media agenda setting. The findings also bolster the 'co-evolution' theory that argues media gain influence as democracy stabilizes in post-autocratic environments.

Analyzing media–government relations on policy issues in the semi-democratic milieu of Pakistan

Journalism, 2020

In this study, the researcher examines some of the key arguments in the scholarship on media-government relations by analyzing press reporting of four different events in the securitized context of Pakistan. For this purpose, framing analysis of one elite English newspaper Dawn and one popular Urdu newspaper daily Jang was conducted. Overall, the results are mixed. The tragic event of Salala check post did not result in critical coverage. On the other hand, policy uncertainty on participation in the Yemeni conflict produced critical coverage. In case of Kashmir conflict, the broader political consensus was responsible for supportive coverage. Similarly, the unpopular step of giving extension to army chief was mainly reported in neutral fashion with some procedural criticism.

Democratization in Pakistan: Role of Media in Civilian and Military Regimes

Global Regional Review

Without active, free and strong media, democracy is not completed. In countries where freedom of press is limited, democratic values are not established. Media had been facing violence in Pakistan whether it remained political or military governments. Struggle of press can be traced back before the inception of Pakistan when press was under tight governmental control. This caused nothing other than sabotaging the rights of people. Founder of Pakistan was strong supporter for the freedom of press and encouraged Muslims to get declarations for new newspapers. It is an important question to investigate why in the democratic republic of Pakistan such Colonial Laws are made that hindered the progress of press and media. And it is also important to investigate that how media raised the voice of suppressed people in the dictatorial regimes and what was the role of media in civilian governments for the promotion of democracy.

Media the state and Governments in Pakistan

This research was carried out to evaluate the attitude of state and governments in Pakistan towards news and journalists. The research investigated that what sort of treatment the news media and journalists received during both the dictatorship and the democratic political systems in Pakistan. Thirty journalists were invited to attend in six focus group discussions arranged for various districts of Sindh province, Pakistan. That averaged five journalists in each focus group discussion. A purposive sampling was implemented to select the six districts and recruit the journalists for focus group discussions. The data instrument was a pre-determined questionnaire which generated data according to the purpose and research questions of the study. In brief, Pakistan has a checkered political history. And there was variability in the attitude of state and governments towards news media and journalists, keeping in consideration the political system in the country.

Role of Media in Strengthening Democracy in Pakistan: Journalists' Perception

South Asian Studies, 2016

IntroductionDemocracy is a popular political notion in today's world, fair and free elections are the prerequisite of democracy and rule of the law, protection and freedom of human rights and supremacy of the constitution are important elements in true democratic system. Pakistan is one of those countries where democracy has been the slogan but true democracy never existed here as Pakistan has faced prolonged military regimes and transitory democracy due to the interests of the different groups in Pakistan. Media in Pakistan however has developed in the last decade and has emerged as a very powerful and influential tool in socio-political matters. Importance and power of Media can never be denied in democracies; media policies, media content and media persons have a direct or indirect influence on the audience. Media in Pakistan is playing a role of a political actor now-a-days. Under various governments' media in Pakistan faced restrictions. Almost all modern states allow f...

Media framing of the ‘War on Terror’: The case of Urdu-language Elite Press during the dictatorial regime in Pakistan (2001-2008)

DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), 2019

This research is focused on press-government relationship on the issue of 'War on Terrorism' (WoT) during the dictatorial regime led by the then military ruler General Pervez Musharraf who remained in power till 2008 in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Global war against terrorism, generally known as 'war on terror' was actually started by the United States of America in the aftermath of 9/11 episode in 2001. Pakistan, on US demand, had not only become an important ally of the grand alliance formed under the umbrella of the United States but had also adopted the role of a frontline state just to fight the war against terrorism (WoT) alongside the war allies. Generally mass media have the potential to influence public opinion and help reshape the states' policies on different issues. Likewise, mass media of Pakistan also took an active part in the war either by going alongside the then dictatorial government or against it. This research is based on examining the way the Urdu language elite press, the most popular mass media of Pakistan, covered the dictatorial regime of President General Pervez Musharraf with regard to its policy on the issue of 'WoT'. The Main purpose of this study is to know the nature of relationship between the Urdu-language elite press and the dictatorial government of Gen Musharraf in Pakistan with regard to their policy positions on 'WoT' from 2001 to 2008. Three newspapers including daily Jang, daily Nawa-I-Waqt, and daily Pakistan, considered to be representatives of the Urdulanguage elite press of Pakistan, were selected for this study. The method used to measure the phenomenon is called framing where contents of the selected dailies were measured both quantitatively and qualitatively. Data were collected through systematic sampling method, while coding sheet was used as a tool for data collection. Unsigned main editorials of the selected newspapers were analyzed to examine the nature of relationship existed Scan for Download Media Framing and Public Opinion on the Issue of Global War on Terror…. 14 between the two entities i.e. the Urdu-language elite press, and the dictatorial government of Gen Pervez Musharraf, on the issue of 'WoT' in Pakistan. The results revealed that the selected elite newspapers, in general, remained critical to the dictatorial regime on the issue of 'WoT'. The findings also revealed that daily Nawa-I-Waqt remained highly critical to the government as compared to its other contemporaries i.e. daily Jang, and daily Pakistan. It was also revealed that the Urdu-language elite press while framing the 'War on Terror' remained somewhat supportive and quite neutral to the dictatorial regime on it policy on 'WoT'.

The Portrayal of Pak-US Relations in Print Media: An Analysis of War on Terror and Militancy in Pakistan during the Republican and the Democratic Regimes

Global Regional Review, 2019

This study has examined how the leading Pakistani and American newspapers portrayed the war on terror and militancy in Pakistan during Republican (George W. Bush) and Democratic (Barack Obama) regimes. All the editorials were analyzed which were published on the subjects during the timeline of sixteen years (January 2001 - January 2017). The results show that both the newspapers are independent, balanced and suggestive. Overall coverage of editorials remained higher (59%) in the democratic regime as compared to that of the republican regime (41%). On the issue of Pakistan's support in the war against terrorism, both the newspapers gave mixed framing. Dawn gave Pakistan more favorable portrayal. NYT remained more unfavorable towards Pakistan, especially during democratic regime. The study reveals that Pak-US relations remained more hostile during Obama regime. However the overall foreign policy remains similar in America irrespective of its administration.

Challenges and Options for Pakistani Media in the 21st Century

Journal of Political Studies, 2014

IntroductionEdmund Burke claimed press as 'fourth estate' because of its considerable importance. Raison d'etre of media is not just to update the masses about the latest occurrences; it has to work as a watchdog for national interest and formulate a vigilant public opinion. In the 21st century Pakistan has witnessed a tremendous growth and development in media sphere. The mushroom growth of television channels and FM radios is influencing attitudes and behaviors of general public. This significant increase drew attention towards media regulation, defining objectives and role of media for the development of Pakistan. Wilbur Schramm (1964) maintains that mass media should perform at least three functions in developing countries; media should serve as 'watchdogs', 'policymakers', and 'teachers' for change and modernization. As 'watchdogs' media should keep an eye on the activities of public institutions and report any anomalies and irregular...