JournalismPakistan.com | Published February 25, 2025 at 08:26 pm | JP Special Report
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—In a brazen display of self-aggrandizement, the Punjab government has commandeered the entire front pages of Pakistan's leading Urdu dailies, transforming what should be prime news real estate into taxpayer-funded political propaganda.
Tuesday's editions of Jang, Daily Express, Daily Dunya, and others abandoned journalistic principles as they surrendered their front pages to elaborate advertisements masquerading as news—all at public expense.
The deceptive layout initially mimics legitimate news coverage, but closer inspection reveals an orchestrated campaign of governmental self-praise costing millions in public funds. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's image dominates Jang's front page with no fewer than seven photographs, while misleading headlines trump dubious achievements. One particularly egregious claim announces "The Province's first cancer hospital to be built," conveniently ignoring the long-established Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital.
Other headlines push the boundaries of credibility with declarations like "Maryam Nawaz's historic performance; public declares it a golden era"—assertions that reflect paid publicity rather than public sentiment. This propaganda blitz concludes with the government's slogan: "If there's will, nothing is impossible...Punjab Government."
What does appear impossible, however, is responsible stewardship of public resources and media accountability.
This front-page takeover follows a similar pattern established by the federal government earlier this month. As the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) observed February 8 as a protest against alleged election manipulation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's administration responded with its lavish publicity campaign. Full-page advertisements proclaimed a "year of economic recovery," claims starkly disconnected from the inflation and unemployment plaguing ordinary citizens.
The media outlets bear equal responsibility for this disturbing trend. By sacrificing journalistic standards for financial gain, these newspapers have betrayed readers who purchase publications expecting news, not political advertisements. The commodification of front pages represents a dangerous erosion of media independence and public trust.
While governments worldwide engage in public communications, the scale and deceptiveness of Punjab's campaign crosses ethical boundaries. Rather than addressing substantive policy concerns or engaging meaningfully with citizens, provincial leadership has chosen to invest millions in self-celebration—funds that could have addressed genuine public needs. As both the government and media abandon their responsibilities to the public, ordinary Pakistanis are left to foot the bill for this expensive exercise in political vanity.
February 26, 2025: An in-depth analysis of the Punjab Government's excessive self-promotion through media, costing taxpayers millions while masquerading propaganda as achievements.
January 23, 2025: An in-depth look at the recent scuffle on a Pakistani talk show, its implications for media ethics, and the urgent need for TV channels to uphold decorum during debates.
December 18, 2024: A critical examination of dangerous medical misinformation broadcast on Pakistan Television, exposing how political propaganda can potentially harm cancer patients by spreading false treatment narratives.
December 17, 2024: Geo News faces criticism after a homophobic tweet targeting Richard Grenell, a Trump advisor advocating for Imran Khan's release, which was subsequently deleted.
November 29, 2024: Suno TV faces criticism for targeting senior journalist Matiullah Jan with a smear campaign following his controversial abduction and arrest. This raises serious concerns about media ethics and press freedom in Pakistan.
August 17, 2024: A viral video exposes a shocking reality about Pakistani media, where fake news circulates unchecked. The clip, featuring a false report on the arrest of former IG of Jails, Shahid Saleem, highlights the pervasive issue of yellow journalism and raises questions about news credibility.
July 25, 2024: Dr. Omar Adil's sexist remarks against female journalists, including Gharidah Farooqi, have ignited widespread criticism, calling for full accountability and stronger actions against misogynistic language in the industry.
July 13, 2024: In a blatant display of media censorship, Suno TV blurred images of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on a scarf worn by PTI leader Zartaj Gul during a talk show. This incident adds to the growing list of censorship cases in Pakistani media, raising concerns about freedom of expression and media integrity.
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 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 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 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.