Access to information and more balanced reporting are key elements in IMS' support to media in the crisis-affected areas of Pakistan

Pakistan at a cross roads

After nine years of military rule, Pakistan today finds itself in a challenging transition to democracy. Unlike previously unsuccessful transitions to democracy, this transition is characterised by the presence of a newly liberalised mass media. This can prove to be to be a crucial and positive factor, but only if the media can assume a role as a watchdog of democracy.

 At the same time, the violent conflict with the Pakistani Taliban, Al Qaeda and other militant groups on one side, and the army and state on the other, has intensified dramatically during the past year; and has craved thousands of casualties, produced millions of internally displaced persons and now threatens the cohesion of the state.

 In several regions the military is involved in fierce fighting with the Taliban, which have been able to assert its will and enforce Sharia Law in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and parts of North Western Frontier Province (NWFP).

Media as a watchdog

The role of the media in this process needs emphasis. If Pakistan is going to make a successful transition to democracy, the media must be able to perform its role as a watchdog: holding politicians, the state apparatus and the army accountable and keeping the general public well informed.

The security and safety situation in the crisis-affected areas is the most grievous. Journalists face propaganda, threats, coercion, and targeted killings. Some areas are effectively no-go areas for journalists; and the journalists working in the conflict epicentres have adapted to self-censorship in order to not antagonize the conflicting parties. As a result, curbs have been put on the free flow of information and some areas in FATA and NWFP and Balochistan suffer from a dearth of information - or an outright information vacuum.

IMS has identified three areas in which interventions were considered needed, feasible and effective. 

Safety training of journalists

IMS organises safety training with the aim to improving the safety of journalists working in difficult and challenging areas in Pakistan. The programme includes training in safety measures and precautions, help to media houses to develop safety procedures and comprehensive safety mechanisms and the establishment of a safety board with the task of promoting greater awareness of the importance of risk management and safety procedures among the media houses. 

Balanced information

IMS seeks to strengthen balanced reporting in areas challenged with lack of information. We support FM radio stations to improve their capacity providing the public with balanced information through the provision of technical equipment, training in radio journalism and production, and by exploring potentials within new information technology, as well as building upon different forms of traditional communication in these areas.

Pakistani-Afghan media relations and mutual coverage

IMS has set up a Pakistan-Afghan media relations programme in order to enhance the quantity and quality of reporting on regional issues through media training and the establishment of a regional media cooperation fund. Building the capacity of the media houses and journalists in these areas also paves the way for a more balanced and professional coverage of areas of mutual interest to the two countries.

Between 2010-2012, IMS is working to strengthen Pakistani-Afghan media relations as well as the quantity and quality of reporting on complex regional issues through media training and establishment of a regional media cooperation fund, strengthens access and safety of journalists in crisis-affected areas in Pakistan through training and adoption of safety procedures, and provides the public in FATA, NWFP and Balochistan with more balanced information through the expansion of moderate media.