JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 23, 2022
Join our WhatsApp channelISLAMABAD—Media in Pakistan cannot say they are inclusive when very few marginalized community members hold decision-making positions, German media house DW noted while reporting a national diversity conference.
It was one of a series of DW Akademie events on media diversity and constructive journalism for marginalized groups held in Islamabad.
According to Asif Khan, DW Akademie's country representative for Pakistan, when a newsroom is not diverse, entire communities can be missing from TV screens and radio airwaves.
"Media and government officials clearly need a proper understanding and acceptance of diversity in the areas of policymaking, human resources, workflow, content creation and the coverage of issues," he pointed out.
"Our media is very typical in thinking and in their portrayal of local culture, women, marginalized communities and ethnicities because our newsrooms and owners lack diversity," stated Pakistani female journalist Mehmal Sarfaraz. "They are either from Karachi or Lahore, so they are looking into every subject with the same lens." According to her, the only solution for diversity is to diversify ourselves.
DW Akademie believed that diversity in Pakistan's news coverage could improve, citing enthusiastic conference participant feedback.
"With a combination of inclusiveness and constructive approach, media standards and content have a huge potential to improve so that they can serve all communities in the long run."
DW Akademie is a German-based leading media house Deutsche Welle's center for international media development, journalism training, and knowledge transfer.
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
April 28, 2025: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and individual journalists, following the deadly Pahalgam attack. Tensions escalate as Islamabad demands a neutral probe.
April 23, 2025: Pakistani journalists respond in unison to a post hinting at a possible Indian military strike. Citing the 2019 ‘Swift Retort,’ they warn of a stronger response if provoked again.
April 21, 2025: After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.
April 21, 2025: Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.
April 20, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.