Volume 19, No. 3, 2022
Information System, Media And Communication And The Decision Making: An Analysis Of The Impact Of Self-Censorship On Objective Journalism In Pakistan
Dr. Fazli Hussain , Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad , Mr. Masaud Hassan , Dr. Ayesha Gul , Prof. Dr. Arab Naz
Abstract
Information system and the communication process through various means remain to topmost difficult and complicated mechanism in dissemination various decisions. Free flow of media content as a sacred trust enshrining local moralities and universal truth is the essence of press freedom which employs the basic prospects of press to play its part in nation building process. Censorship in any form like pre-censorship, undeclared censorship or self-censorship is a murderous interference leading to demolish the dome of press freedom that deprives citizens, society and the state of the benefits of a free press. The ground realities regarding censorship are embodied in the field and direct consultation with working journalists for being a component part of the play is the only way to reach a conclusion acceptable for generalization. For the purpose, this empirical study launches survey to explore the media landscape of Pakistan and investigate working journalists for digging out the existence, intensity and impacts of self-censorship on professional objectivity of media content. For more in-depth exploration of indicators, this study engages senior journalists in face-to face interviews throughout Pakistan. The findings prove the hypothesis that working journalists exercise self-censorship in Pakistan and also establish the fact that such practices deteriorate the media objectivity.
Pages: 3905-3916
Keywords: Self-censorship, Pakistan’s media landscape, media professionalism, professional objectivity