INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IN PAKISTAN: ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

As the investigative journalism sector in Pakistan continues to grow, journalists will need to become increasingly adept at navigating the opportunities and obstacles that lie ahead. By examining certain incidents and patterns within the context of the country, one may gain more insight into the intricate factors that impact investigative journalism in Pakistan. The primary aim of this study was to methodically examine the diverse obstacles that face investigative journalists in Pakistan. The cross-sectional survey technique was used to gather data as part of a quantitative research approach for the goal of empirical analysis. Using a multi-phase sampling strategy, the unit of analysis consisted of reporters connected to press clubs in important Pakistani cities, including Peshawar, Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Islamabad, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit. The process of gathering data involved using a Likert-scaled, structured questionnaire. There were 48 questions in the questionnaire, covering topics such as the demographics of the participants and the nature of investigative journalism. The questionnaire was designed to provide a detailed knowledge of the many factors impacting the difficulties experienced by investigative journalists in Pakistan. The results revealed that a variety of internal issues that affect journalists profoundly affect their work methods. Sustaining elevated moral principles is an ongoing challenge, especially in the context of covering delicate subjects, as any departure from these norms can damage reputation and public confidence. Another issue that might undermine journalistic reporting's neutrality is corporate pressure to match content with organisational goals. In some areas, government rules and regulations may also restrict journalistic independence, encouraging biassed or self-censoring reporting in order to avoid legal ramifications. It is difficult to strike a balance between journalistic objectivity and cultural and religious sensitivity, particularly in areas with a wide range of religious views. The internal challenges encountered by journalists are further highlighted by the fact that scarce resources frequently make it difficult for them to conduct in-depth investigations and report on stories. There are many external obstacles that journalists face, such as fear for their families, attempts by powerful organisations to control or sway reporting, harassment from government agencies both legally and illegally, and the risks to their personal safety that come with covering sensitive stories. To make matters worse, problems such as gifts and bribes directly jeopardise the objectivity of journalism and risk producing biassed stories. Journalists' struggles are made more difficult by the general problem of scarce resources, which includes both financial limitations and inadequate security precautions. Apart from this, organisational leadership in news organisations has a distinct set of challenges, such as worries about job security in times of financial recession or fallout, and concerns about personal safety arising from the material their organisation produces.