Media in Pakistan is being taken hostage by various fractions that use the media for winning hearts and minds in the ongoing war on terror, according to a new IMS report. which was launched on Monday 14 September 2009

According to the report: “Between radicalisation and democratisation in an unfolding conflict – Media in Pakistan” published by International Media Support, bribery as well as means of terror are used to control the traditional media flow. In a survey carried out by the Pakistan institute of Peace Studies, 69 percent of journalists and editors interviewed found that radicalisation was crippling freedom of expression.

At the same time Jihadi print media have become a media industry of its own, advocating global Jihad – especially among youngsters. As a result, news coverage is widely distorted, which leads to an information vacuum in many areas of the country. Self-censorship among most journalists is fuelled by fear.

- Since 9-11, the radical tendencies in mainstream media in Pakistan were strengthened, said Muhammad Amir Rana at the launch. Rana is an expert on radicalization and media in Pakistan and editor of the PIPS Research Journal at Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) with whom IMS is forming a partnership for its future engagement in Pakistan.

The report sets forth a set of recommendations focused in initiatives that may support media and the challenges they are confronted with in a conflict-related environment. The four focus areas include:

1. Safety and security for journalists and media workers
2. Pakistani-Afghan media relations
3. Information vacuum and media distortion in conflict regions
4. Quality of journalism

The report is available online and in hard copy. For further information, please contact Lotte Dahlmann, communications coordinator in IMS at: ld[snabela]i-m-s.dk or cell: +45 2554-3541