THE ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND CHALLENGES JOURNALISTS FACE IN PRACTICING PEACE JOURNALISM IN ENGLISH AND URDU NEWSPAPERS DURING PAKISTAN'S CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE

Abstract

Pakistan's media landscape can be easily divided into Urdu and English streams. Since Urdu is Pakistan’s national language and is spoken throughout the country, so Urdu journalism finds a wide readership. Meanwhile, the readers of English journalism are limited to upper-middle and resourceful circles. Both streams appear to follow different foci and working styles. During the past few years (2018-2023), in the polarized situation of Pakistani politics, both media streams performed differently, which has caused ethical considerations and challenges for journalists in practicing peace journalism. The study focuses on the ethical challenges faced by Pakistani journalists engaged in peace journalism, particularly within the context of the political climate prevalent in the country for the selected period (2018-2023). Drawing from Lynch and McGoldrick (2005), this study explores how language barriers and cultural differences shape journalists' approaches to peace journalism in Pakistan. By employing in-depth interviews with journalists of Urdu and English journalistic streams, we also seek to understand the ethical considerations and challenges journalists face practicing peace journalism in English and Urdu newspapers in Pakistan's current political climate.