WHAT is a Pakistani life worth in the eyes of the state? Clearly not enough, if one were to draw a comparison with Canada, which has thought nothing of jeopardising its relations with New Delhi as it takes a stand for the rights of an adopted citizen. Soon after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly held […]
In response to the widespread public outcry and mounting anger, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has taken the long-overdue step of imposing an immediate ban on the broadcasting and rebroadcasting of the controversial TV drama series “Hadsa.” This decision relieves those who found the show’s content profoundly troubling and potentially harmful. However, while […]
AFTER the occurrence of Jarranwala tragedy and in view of the country’s current situation, media needs to play an important and pivotal role in preserving social and cultural harmony in the society. On media especially the social media state sensitive and blasphemous posts and comments are being effectively posted. Such materials instantly infuse all over […]
In today’s constantly changing world, even as the print media somewhat sadly fades away, the media in all its other forms has become a more and more powerful entity. We can see this in Pakistan where debates over the media, its perceived role, what its role should be, and what popular topic of ‘fake news’ […]
The Punjab government has not given the go-ahead to the screening of the Hollywood movie Barbie in the province despite the issuance of a no-objection certificate by the Punjab Film Censor Board. Barbie’s box-office debut began in parts of Asia, including Pakistan, on July 21. The movie was halted in theatres across Punjab for containing […]
IN a rapidly evolving media landscape, there is a need to update the relevant laws to ensure press freedom, while filtering out lies and libellous content. This can be done either through dubious laws, such as the PTI government’s Pakistan Media Development Authority bill, or stakeholders can be taken on board to formulate laws that […]
How free will the media be, especially during the coverage of the general election-2023? When the media is told ‘what to do and what not to’ it loses editorial control and freedom. The press and media freedom is nothing but a myth. It was during the 2008 elections when Pakistani electronic media received the following […]
On Tuesday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif hinted at the possibility of blocking social media networks if the need arises, once again showing how out of touch and ill-informed the administration is when it comes to understanding and regulating the medium. The internet and social media shutdowns around May 9 were extremely detrimental, and it appears […]
Some of us were expecting Pakistan to be at the top of the list of countries where journalists and media personnel are fleeing the country due to alleged persecution by the state. However, to my and many others’ surprise, the latest mapping issued by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) makes no mention of Pakistani journalists […]
In a democratic society like Pakistan, freedom of expression is a fundamental right that is the backbone of a vibrant and diverse society. It is a powerful tool that allows citizens to voice their opinions, engage in public discourse, and hold those in power accountable. However, with great power comes great responsibility. The delicate balance […]
For the past many years, Balochistan has been in the grip of a low-intensity conflict, and has experienced four insurgencies since Independence. While separatist groups continue to carry out attacks on security forces, human rights organisations have expressed concern about a growing number of missing person’s cases and human rights violations. In more recent times, […]
Social media is a powerful tool that helps people connect and communicate with one another. It provides real-time information about what is happening in other parts of the world. Those who use social media intelligently are the ones who make the most of the many opportunities that are available currently. Else, the whole thing […]
A few years ago, I underwent a self-discipline and mindfulness course where I learned techniques to minimize negative emotions, criticism, and energy around me. According to this method, the opinions of others are merely words spoken and cannot be captured live on camera, hence lacking real existence. For example, I have heard phrases like […]
It only takes a stray bullet or a group of unknown men to make a story out of those who report the news themselves. Zubair Anjum, an executive producer at a leading news channel, joined the seemingly neverending queue of journalists who have found themselves in the eye of the heated storm. While this time, […]
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