Journalism for sustainable development: The imperative of journalists’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information for promoting sustainable development in Pakistan | Intellect Skip to content
1981
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Journal of Applied Journalism & Media Studies
  4. Volume 9, Issue 3
  5. Article
Volume 9, Issue 3
  • ISSN: 2001-0818
  • E-ISSN:

Abstract

Pakistan is currently facing severe challenges for sustainable development, including a lack of safety and governance, demographic issues, poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, gender violence and inequality, injustice, water shortage, energy crises, rapid increase in pollution and climate change. In addition, the country’s progress towards development and adaptation strategies is quite slow. This study recognizes that journalism has a very crucial role in many aspects of sustainable development in Pakistan, ranging from facilitation of good governance to social cohesion, peace, public participation, empowerment and inclusion. For this purpose, journalists need freedom of expression and require unrestrained access to information. However, Pakistani journalists often confront legal and other restrictions to practicing these two rights, resulting in a lack of their ability to report on critical issues especially relevant to sustainable development. Therefore, drawing on the development communication theory, this study identifies the areas of sustainable development that are reported most by Pakistani journalists. It strives to find out whether Pakistani journalists receive training for development journalism. It also analyses the extent and the ways journalists’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information are restrained when reporting on issues of sustainable development. The study uses thematic analysis to analyse the gathered data through a quantitative method of survey and a qualitative method of in-depth interviews.

© 2020 Intellect Ltd
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/ajms_00016_1
2020-10-01
2024-04-19
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Barendt, E.. ( 2005), Freedom of Speech, Oxford:: Oxford University Press;.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Bessette, G.. ( 2004), Introduction to Development Communication, Penag and Ontario:: International Communication Centre and Southbound;.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Bourgault, L. M.. ( 1995), Mass Media in Sub-Saharan Africa, Bloomington, IN:: Indiana University Press;.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Boyatzis, R. E.. ( 1998), Transforming Qualitative Information: Thematic Analysis & Code Development, Thousand Oaks, CA:: Sage;.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Braun, V., and Clarke, V.. ( 2008;), ‘ Using thematic analysis in psychology. ’, Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3:2, pp. 77–101.
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Committee to Protect Journalists ( 2018;), ‘ Impunity index. ’, Committee to Protect Journalists, 29 October, https://cpj.org/tags/impunity-index-2018. Accessed 1 January 2018.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Constitution of Pakistan ( 1973a), Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan, http://www.na.gov.pk/publications/constitution.pdf. Accessed 11 December 2017.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Constitution of Pakistan ( 1973b;), ‘ 18th Amendment 2010: Article 19 A of the Constitution of Pakistan. ’, Constitution of Pakistan , http://pakistanconstitution-law.org/18th-amendment-2010. Accessed 11 December 2017.
  9. Dawn ( 2017;), ‘ Pakistan seventh worst country in access to sanitation. ’, Dawn , 23 November, https://www.dawn.com/news/1372293. Accessed 2 January 2018.
  10. Dean, S., and Illowsky, B.. ( 2010), Sampling and Data: Frequency, Relative Frequency and Cumulative Frequency, https://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/MA121-1.1.3-3rd.pdf. Accessed 10 December 2017.
     [Google Scholar]
  11. Deuze, M.. ( 2006;), ‘ Ethnic media, community media and participatory culture. ’, Journalism: Theory, Practice and Criticism, 7:3, pp. 262–80.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Edeani, D. O.. ( 1993;), ‘ Role of development journalism in Nigeria’s development. ’, International Communication Gazette, 52:2, pp. 12–143.
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Elobeid, D.. ( 2012;), ‘ The role of institutions in sustainable development: The experience of Sudan economy. ’, International Journal of Sustainable Development, 4:5, pp. 53–68.
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Escobar, A.. ( 1995), Encountering Development: The Making and Unmaking of the Third World, Princeton, NJ:: Princeton University Press;.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Flick, U.. ( 2006), An Introduction to Qualitative Research, Thousand Oaks, CA:: Sage;.
     [Google Scholar]
  16. Gillmor, D.. ( 2004), We the Media: Grassroots Journalism by the People, for the People, Sebastopol, CA:: O'Reilly Media, Inc;.
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Gray, P. S.,, Williamson, J. B.,, Karp, D. A., and Dalphin, J. R.. ( 2007), The Research Imagination: An Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Methods, New York:: Cambridge University Press;.
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Green, G. P., and Goetting, A.. (eds) ( 2010), Mobilizing Communities: Asset Building as a Community Development Strategy, Philadelphia, PA:: Temple University Press;.
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Gulf News ( 2018;), ‘ 21 million in Pakistan do not have access to clean water: Report. ’, Gulf News , 22 March, https://gulfnews.com/news/asia/pakistan/21-million-in-pakistan-don-t-have-access-to-clean-water-report-1.2192988. Accessed 23 January 2018.
  20. Hester, J., and Gonzenbach, W.. ( 1997;), ‘ The environment: TV news, real world cues, and public opinion over time. ’, Mass Communication Review, 22:1&2, pp. 5–20.
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Hussain, T.,, Chen, S., and Nurunnabi, M.. ( 2019;), ‘ The role of social media for sustainable development in mountain region tourism in Pakistan. ’, International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Energy, 26:3, pp. 226–31.
     [Google Scholar]
  22. Jamil, S.. ( 2017;), ‘ Freedom under pressure? Threats to journalists’ safety in Pakistan. ’, in U. Carlsson, and R. Poyhtari. (eds), Assault on Journalism, Gothenburg:: NORDICOM;, pp. 323–29.
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Kariithi, N.. ( 1994;), ‘ The crisis facing developing journalism in Africa. ’, Media Development, 4:1, pp. 28–30.
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Khawaja, R.. ( 2018;), ‘ Literacy rate in Pakistan. ’, The Nation, 18 January, https://nation.com.pk/08-Feb-2018/literacy-rate-in-pakistan. Accessed 23 January 2018.
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Kiani, K.. ( 2017;), ‘ Sustainable development: How far has Pakistan come and how far do we have to go?. ’, 17 October, https://www.dawn.com/news/1360165. Accessed 19 January 2018.
  26. Lerner, D.. ( 1957;), ‘ Communication systems and social systems: A statistical exploration in history and policy. ’, Journal of the Society for General System Research, 2:4, pp. 266–75.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Linje, M.. ( 2006;), ‘ Manifesto for development communication: Nora C. Quebral and the Los Baños school of development communication. ’, Asian Journal of Communication, 16:1, pp. 79–99.
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Lugo-Ocando, J., and Nguyen, A.. ( 2017), Developing News: Global Journalism and the Coverage of ‘Third World’ Development, , 1st ed.., London:: Routledge;.
     [Google Scholar]
  29. Mazur, A., and Lee, J.. ( 1993;), ‘ Sounding the global alarm: Environmental issues in the US national news. ’, Social Studies of Science, 23:4, pp. 681–720.
     [Google Scholar]
  30. McChesney, R. W.. ( 1997), Corporate Media and the Threat to Democracy, New York:: Seven Stories;.
     [Google Scholar]
  31. McPhail, T. L.. ( 2009;), ‘ Introduction to development communication. ’, in T. L. McPhail. (ed.), Development Communication: Reframing the Role of the Media, West Sussex:: Wiley-Blackwell;, pp. 1–21.
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Mefalopulos, P.. ( 2009), Development Communication Sourcebook: Broadening the Boundaries of Communication, Washington, DC:: The World Bank;.
     [Google Scholar]
  33. Melkote, S., and Steeves, H.. ( 2015), Communication for Development: Theory and Practice for Empowerment and Social Justice, New York:: Sage;.
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Müller, A.,, Mitchell, P., and Feek, W.. ( 2007), World Congress on Communication for Development: Lessons, Challenges and the Way Forward, Washington, DC:: World Bank;.
     [Google Scholar]
  35. Nassanga, G.,, Eide, E.,, Hahn, O.,, Rhaman, R., and Sarwono, B.. ( 2017;), ‘ Climate change and development journalism in the Global South. ’, in R. Kunelius,, E. Eide,, M. Tegelberg, and D. Yagodin. (eds), Media and Global Climate Knowledge, New York:: Palgrave Macmillan;, pp. 213–33.
     [Google Scholar]
  36. Odhiambo, L. O.. ( 1991;), ‘ Development journalism in Africa: Capitulation of the fourth estate?. ’, African Media Review, 5:2, pp. 17–29.
     [Google Scholar]
  37. Ogan, C. L.. ( 1982;), ‘ Development journalism/communication: The status of the concept. ’, International Communication Gazette, 29:1&2, pp. 3–13.
     [Google Scholar]
  38. Quebral, N.. ( 1972;), ‘ What do we mean by development communication?. ’, International Development Review, 15:2, pp. 25–28.
     [Google Scholar]
  39. Rogers, E.. ( 1976;), ‘ Communication and development: The passing of the dominant paradigm. ’, Communication Research, 3:2, pp. 213–40.
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Schramm, W.. ( 1964), Mass Media and National Development: The Role of Information in the Developing Countries, Stanford, CA:: Stanford University Press;.
     [Google Scholar]
  41. Servaes, J.,, Jacobson, T. L., and White, S. A.. ( 1996), Participatory Communication for Social Change, New Delhi:: Sage;.
     [Google Scholar]
  42. Sparks, C.. ( 2007), Development, Globalization and the Mass Media, London:: Sage;.
     [Google Scholar]
  43. Szerszyski, B.,, Urry, J., and Myers, G.. ( 2000;), ‘ Mediating global citizenship. ’, in J. Smith. (ed.), The Daily Globe Environmental Change, the Public and the Media, London:: Earthscan;, pp. 97–114.
     [Google Scholar]
  44. The News ( 2018;), ‘ Pakistan’s literacy rate stands at 58pc. ’, The News, 27 April, https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/309542-pakistan-s-literacy-rate-stands-at-58pc. Accessed 26 May 2018.
     [Google Scholar]
  45. United Nations General Assembly ( 1987), Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future, Oslo:: United Nations General Assembly and Development and International Co-operation: Environment;, http://www.un-documents.net/our-common-future.pdf. Accessed 29 October 2017.
     [Google Scholar]
  46. Young, C., and McCornas, K.. ( 2016;), ‘ Media’s role in enhancing sustainable development in Zambia. ’, Mass Communication and Society, 19:5, pp. 626–49.
     [Google Scholar]
  47. Jamil, Sadia. ( 2020;), ‘ Journalism for sustainable development: The imperative of journalists’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information for promoting sustainable development in Pakistan. ’, Journal of Applied Journalism & Media Studies, 9:3, pp. 271–291, doi: https://doi.org/10.1386/ajms_00016_1
     [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1386/ajms_00016_1
Loading
Journalism for sustainable development: The imperative of journalists’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information for promoting sustainable development in Pakistan
Journal of Applied Journalism & Media Studies 9, 271 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1386/ajms_00016_1
/content/journals/10.1386/ajms_00016_1
/content/journals/10.1386/ajms_00016_1
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): access to information; development communication; freedom of expression; journalist practice; Pakistani news media; sustainable development

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error