The Role of Media Transformation in Pakistan's Mass Communication Industry

Abstract

Pakistan gets drawn into conflicts due to causes beyond its control and choice because of its strategic location. Both the external and internal fronts have been impacted by the challenges of the neighborhood and the conflict in Afghanistan before and after September 11. The polarization, regression, and weaponization of a subset of Pakistani society have been among the most harmful, among many others. Efforts are being made to reverse this trend through various national power instruments, but success will depend on contributions from across society working in concert to combat this threat. Pakistani media, especially electronic media, has expanded rapidly as a result of Musharraf's liberalization measures, but it has yet to play the beneficial role the state hopes it would play in strengthening the inner front of the state and bringing about constructive change in society. All branches of government must work together to develop a unified media policy (Tolson, 2001). One must be well-versed in both social issues and media complexities to offer an unbiased assessment of the media's impact from a communication perspective. The media landscape of Pakistan includes television, radio, newspapers, and magazines. Pakistan has one of the world's and South Asia's most active media industries due to the country’s growing middle class. The vast majority of Pakistan's media organizations are privately owned. The scope of the study demanded a reduction of the focus to the most crucial aspects and adopting a perspective with an eye toward the future of mass communication. Ultimately, this research aims to tackle a complicated subject, the role of media transformation in Pakistan's mass communication industry.