Category: Uncategorized

Audience Credibility on TV News Channels: A Case Study of Geo & ARY News Channels

Zeenat Baloch

Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi

Dr. Ayesha Qamar

Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi

Dr. Ahlam Tariq

Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi

Abstract

The boom of Pakistani channels started after the PEMRA issued licenses to many private channels and later on questions were raised on the credibility of Pakistani news media. Measuring the audience’s credibility on the news channels is the most important aspect as credibility is said to be the backbone of the entire media system. The credibility of news channels is becoming an increasingly important area to understand, to expand knowledge in this domain, a survey study was conducted out that investigated people’s perception of the credibility of two news channels namely ARY News and Geo News. The research explores the perception of the news audiences on the credibility of the news channels. A survey is administered with the help of a convenience sampling technique and a selected sample of 200 audiences from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. The researcher assessed the credibility perception of the audiences toward the two news media channels: ARY News and Geo News. The credibility is measured with the help of two different components: source and medium. To measure these constructs a 12-scale factor developed by Gaziano and McGrath (1986) with additions from Infante (1980) and Jacobson (2012) is incorporated. The findings suggested that the audience perceived the credibility of a source in a different way whereas both channels as a medium are perceived to be similar. The data showed the negative linkage between age, gender, education, occupation, and the news media channel’s credibility but shows the positive relationship between political affiliation and credibility perception of the news channels.

Trump’s Afghanistan Policy: How Afghan Mainstream Media Borrowed

Official US Narratives to Frame the Myth of Peace

Sher Baz Khan

Bahria University, Islamabad

Qaisar Khan

Bahria University, Islamabad

Abstract

This study draws from scholarship in framing theory and mediated collective memories for the analysis of the adoption of official narratives of US President Donald Trump’s Afghanistan policy as ready-made news frames by Afghanistan’s Tolo TV’s popular current affairs program as Tawde Khabare (Hot Talks). Collected through purposive sampling technique, a comparative qualitative analysis of selected programs of Tawde Khabar and the text of President Trump’s Afghanistan policy suggests that the post-Taliban US-established Afghan media system has largely adopted and borrowed ready-made news frames and official narratives disseminated by the US government to domestic and global media. The findings suggest further that official frames of Donald Trump’s Afghanistan policy received greater acceptability in the Tolo TV coverage of the concerned issue. The study has raised several questions regarding the credibility of the post-Taliban Afghan media system and as do similar systems in other post-conflict societies established through the financial and technical help of the US and allied states after 9/11.

Reporting of Taliban Conflict: Do Editorial Choices Matter?

Ruqiya Anwar

International Islamic University, Islamabad

Abstract

This study analyzes the discursive strategies that characterize the reportage of Taliban conflict in Pakistani media, over a period of one year from March 2015 to March 2016. This study combines textual analysis with semi-structured interviews of media editors to identify the key factors that influence conflict Journalism in Pakistan and particularly explores the crucial role played by the editors in the selection of news stories related to Taliban conflict. Using Burkhard Blasi’s model as a theoretical framework, the study found that Pakistani media characterize Taliban conflict in the country, as a high-risk national security threat. Hence, the findings of this study show that conflict reporting in this scenario is influenced by a number of factors and the editors’ perceived threat to the national interest.

Op-Ed Coverage of TTP: A Comparative Analysis of Daily Jung and Dawn

Anam Hameed

International Islamic University, Islamabad

Haseeb ur Rehman Warriach

Institute of Media Sciences, Islamabad

Abstract

The study aims to analyze the portrayal of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in leading Urdu and English dailies of Pakistan (Jang & Dawn). Through content analysis of the editorials, sub- editorials, columns, articles, and letters to editor involving issues related to TTP, farming of coverage, and slant as being favorable, unfavorable and neutral were studied. Chi-Square test for data analysis was used for a correct finding of results. The study after its completion provided a clear picture of the way Pakistani media portrays Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and sets the agenda for Pakistani society. The paper concludes that the image of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan is negative in media. However mixed slants and frames observed regarding TTP. The coverage of Jang & Dawn strongly criticized the role of TTP. It is observed that TTP has always been involved in violent activities. Both newspapers look at Talibanization in Pakistan as a threat to the overall system of the state. And they do not see the issue of TTP particular to an area but in broadest level.

Indian Quest for NSG Membership and Pakistan’s Case

Mujahid Hussain

Bahria University Islamabad

Tauqeer Hussain Sargana

International Islamic University, Islamabad

Abstract

The ‘Nuclear Suppliers Group’ is a cartel of like-minded nations working together to form an alliance of countries that strive to uphold non-proliferation norms with that of regulation of nuclear technology and associated material. The cartel is operating since 1975, which was formed in the aftermath of the 1974 Indian nuclear explosion ‘Smiling Buddha’, a glaring violation of ‘atoms for peace program’. Not in line with its manifesto neither in adherence to the non- proliferation regime, the cartel in 2008 has extended a waiver to India to facilitate Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation. This has ignored the trail of Indian breach of the non-proliferation regime with that of a weak history of nuclear safety and security protocols. The diplomatic maneuvers furthered Indian ambitions when in May 2016 New Delhi formally applied for the NSG permanent membership. Pakistan immediately followed the Indian track and within a week submitted its application to join the cartel. This study makes the point that the grant of NSG membership to India while pending Pakistan’s request would be antithetical to the very idea of establishment of the cartel itself. The study concludes that dependent on the strategic environment, convergences, and divergences, NSG member states may shift from one end of the spectrum to the other, therefore, Pakistan must continue its diplomatic flux with respect to its admission into NSG. The study is deductive in nature and has used qualitative research methodology to evaluate the contextual analysis of the ‘Indian quest for NSG membership and Pakistan’s case.

Countering Ethnic Violence, Extremism, and Terrorism or Human Rights Violations:

A Case Study of Central Asian Republics

Dr. Adam Saud

Bahria University Islamabad

Dr. Irfan Hussain Qaisrani

Bahria University Islamabad

Abstract

Central Asia has been declared as ‘not free’ region by most of the global human rights organizations. The region has been governed by the old socialist-minded leadership since its independence. This style does not give room for civil liberties and human rights. Furthermore, the region has been marked with extremism, terrorism and ethnic violence for a long period of time. The regimes are also supported by other ‘not free’ states especially Russia and China. Such kind of regional dynamics has encouraged the states to adopt oppressive policies in order to strengthen themselves. This research focuses; to understand the social and ethnic demography of the Central Asian region; to understand the hyper-presidential political systems of the region; to understand the violent and non-violent movements against the ‘system’, and to analyze the state policies towards human rights and civil liberties.

South Asian Geo-Politics from the Prism of Pak-China Relations

Dr. Adam Saud Bahria University, Islamabad

Kinza Arif Independent Researcher, Islamabad

Abstract

With the emergence of non-state actors, South Asia regional significance has augmented. The dynamics of the region were already governed under the shaky foundations due to the declared nuclear states of Pakistan and India. However, growing Sino and US interests have shifted the dynamics of the region in divergent strands; where one promotes economic integration while the other calls for defensive up-gradation measures. The very element calls for the development of alliances of different natures. To focus on Pak-China relations, despite belonging to different cultures and belief systems, both states have enjoyed strong bilateral relations. They are a clear challenge to players such as the US and India.

This article is steered towards addressing the ever-changing dynamics of South Asia via providing a qualitative analysis. The ambition is to unravel the steering objectives of this alliance and address the potential challenges of the upcoming future. This research has tried to answer the following questions. What is the geopolitical importance of South Asia? Which regional and extra-regional powers have geo-political and geo-strategic interests in this region and how their interests converge and diverge with each other? The relations amidst Pakistan and China have been investigated under the realist paradigm; under the application of Balance of Threat Theory. Regional integration in the form of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) is analyzed through the lens of the Theory of Complex Interdependence. Research is based on qualitative methodology having secondary sources. It is interpretive, and critical in nature.

Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal & Pakistan Security

Tauqeer Hussain Sargana

International Islamic University Islamabad, Pakistan.

Mujahid Hussain

Bahria University Islamabad, Pakistan.

Abstract

The ‘Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation’ has casted negative shadows over Pakistan’s security with that of strategic stability in South Asia. This paper makes the point that the emergence of strategic partnership between Indian and US has served bilateral objectives while impacting deeply on the geo-political landscape of Pakistan’s strategic interests. The fundamental strategic objective of Pakistan has been to resist Indian hegemonic role in the region. To achieve such a balance the country has not only joined security alliances in the past but had to detonate its nuclear weapons in reaction to Indian attempt to outburst the ‘balance of power’. Due to Indo-US nuclear cooperation, suddenly Pakistan came under stress as it allowed India to feed its civilian reactors by importing fuel from international market with that of using domestic fuel in its military reactors. This not only allowed India to fix energy shortfall but also sustain its nuclear weapons program. Pakistan contrary to that was set-aside and denied the similar treatment as of India. Therefore, this paper has made an attempt to objectively analyze the premises of Indo-US nuclear cooperation and highlight security implications for Pakistan. The study is deductive in nature and has used mixed method approach with qualitative research methodology.

Islamophobia and Media: The Framing of Muslims and Islam in International Media

Sidra Rahman

Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi

Dr. Ayesha Qamar

Fatima Jinnah Women University

Abstract

The focus of this research paper is to explain the negative representation of Islam and Muslims in an international media. The media in all over the world is considered most influential medium, which is shaped the views of people related to every section of societies. The media perform a significant role in constructing the listener angle and attitude related to any complication that emerges in the whole world. In this context, the audiences accept as true and have expectation from media to represent a clear image relate any type of affair which is happening at both national and international surface. In western media, Muslims represented as an “other alien” an international level. After the incident of 9/11, Muslims and Islam have recognized as backward and violent culture and religion. Muslims communities and their families are mostly victims and targeted by non-Muslims, victimization of veiled Muslims female and religious men in public places, as victims and targeted against the law. In present days Islam and Muslims are represented as a terrorist, illiterate, extremist and backward in international media. Although the framing of Muslims and Islam, particularly after the 7/7 bombing, 9/11 terrorist attack and Paris attack, a large number of study and research set up, that an internationally the inclination of media reporting is highly observed negativity toward Islam and Muslims, by affiliating it with extremism and terrorism.

Ethical Issues of Crisis Reporting in Pakistani Media

Abid Zafar

International Islamic University Islamabad

Faisal Shahzad

Mashriq TV, Islamabad

Abstract

This study is based on the qualitative content analysis of three private televisions news “GEO, EXPRESS and DUNYA NEWS” to explore ethical issues such as irresponsible reporting, unauthentic information, and sensationalism in live reporting of the crisis. The main purpose of this study is to know whether or not television news channels violate ethics in live reporting of the crisis. All national and international bodies of journalism said that media must follow media ethics for the general interest of society as no society afford free and irresponsible media. Data in the form of different news reports of GEO, EXPRESS and DUNYA televisions has been collected carefully and analyzed. For the purpose of this study three incidents i.e Bhoja airplane crash, Jinnah Avenue incident and Wagah border Lahore blast have been selected to explore ethical issues in live coverage of the crisis. It has been observed that private television channels violate media ethics in live coverage of crisis due to many factors like the competitive nature of the market, less control of editorial policy, lack of training and awareness. The study suggests that all stakeholders including media houses, authorities and civil society should form a comprehensive code of conduct to ensure implementation of media ethics for the general interest of society.