JournalismPakistan.com | Published June 22, 2024 | Daud Malik
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—Who is a journalist? These days it seems everyone is. With technology, we have entered the era of citizen journalism, where electronic media encourages viewers to send their videos on a particular issue. The journalists managing online channels seem to mock the TV channels, covering events with a mobile phone and reaching their followers.
However, the question persists who is a journalist? In a politically polarized society like ours, we often hear journalists questioned about their journalistic credentials. With the advent of electronic media, this question has been asked repeatedly. Pakistan witnessed a surge in journalists, almost all of them tagged with the moniker—senior.
The Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act 2021 tries to answer the question. In the section of definitions, the law defines a journalist as "any person who is professionally or regularly engaged by a newspaper, magazine, news website, or other news broadcast medium (whether online or offline)…" This is quite a broad definition and perhaps includes everybody. It goes on to define freelancers. A freelance journalist is "any person with a substantial track record of freelancing for at least three years for any newspaper, magazine, news website, or other news broadcast medium."
The law also introduces the category of media professionals. A media professional is "any other person regularly or professionally engaged in the collection, processing, and dissemination of information to the public via any means of mass communication, including cameraperson and photographers, technical support staff, drivers and interpreters, editors, translators, publishers, broadcasters, printers and distributors."
It defines the non-journalist in the administrative context. "A person who is employed mainly in a managerial or administrative capacity in a media organization, or is being employed there in a supervisory capacity…"
The use of technology has changed the face of journalism and raised the question of who is a journalist. What defines a journalist— the privilege or the work? Tom Rosenstiel, an American author, and journalist thinks journalism is about action and not affiliation. "You can't say, 'I'm a journalist, here's my press pass. You have to say, 'I'm a journalist. Here's my work'." But others see journalists in a more formal role—the one who collects information to disseminate it.
October 07, 2024: Geo News anchors criticize Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for using the banned platform X to address the Karachi attack. Their remarks spark debate over the government’s selective use of banned social media. Read more about the ongoing legal case challenging the X ban.
October 06, 2024: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemns violence against journalists during a PTI protest and demands the immediate release of Faizan Hussain, a senior journalist detained by the government.
October 03, 2024: Veteran journalists condemn threats made by TLP leader Anas Rizvi against senior journalist Azaz Syed, urging the government to take immediate action to ensure his safety and protect press freedom.
September 30, 2024: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned an attack on journalists in Karachi by religious party workers, calling for an FIR and immediate arrests of the perpetrators.
September 30, 2024: Dr. Sadia Kamal has made history by becoming the first female president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ-Workers), a significant milestone for her career and Pakistani journalism. Learn about her exceptional journey, years of service, leadership in various media roles, and dedication to ethical journalism.
September 28, 2024: The winners of the Pakistan RTI Quiz Contest 2024, organized by the Pakistan Information Commission and the Press Network of Pakistan, have been announced. Promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, the quiz highlighted the importance of the Right to Information and citizen empowerment.
September 28, 2024: Explore the alarming rise of online trolling and harassment faced by women journalists in Pakistan, highlighting recent cases involving anchors like Shiffa Z. Yousafzai and Asma Chaudhry. This article delves into the societal challenges these women encounter and the urgent need for action against online abuse
September 27, 2024: TV anchor Shiffa Z. Yousafzai has refuted false rumors about her marriage, calling attention to the harassment working women face in a male-dominated society. She urges social media platforms to remove false content and calls people to stand against such targeting.
October 07, 2024 Geo News anchors criticize Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for using the banned platform X to address the Karachi attack. Their remarks spark debate over the government’s selective use of banned social media. Read more about the ongoing legal case challenging the X ban.
October 06, 2024 The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemns violence against journalists during a PTI protest and demands the immediate release of Faizan Hussain, a senior journalist detained by the government.
October 06, 2024 The International Labour Organization (ILO) invites journalists to participate in its 10th Global Media Competition, aiming to promote fair and balanced reporting on labor migration. Join the initiative to highlight the positive contributions of migrant workers and combat discrimination.
October 06, 2024 Explore how Thailand's media covers pressing environmental challenges, including climate change, pollution, and conservation efforts. This article examines the role of journalism in raising awareness and fostering public engagement on critical environmental issues.
October 06, 2024 Discover the essential techniques and tips for conducting successful sports interviews. This article explores how to engage athletes and ask the right questions to deliver compelling stories.