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{MST 4101}
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INTRODUCTION
Government-press relations developed after theindependence war in 1857. Colonialists started acontrol of terror after the war, which resulted in changeof nature of government-press relations. Earlier the
press was in an developing phase and was fighting forthe right of free expression. The Charter Freedom ofPress was presented by Ram Mohan in 1823 againstthe government regulation restricting clearly freedom ofthe press. From the partition 1947, the governmentapplied all means to control the press. During this time,the press-government relations had not been friendly
and pleasant due to their positions.
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According to Turk (1996) many studies haveaddressed elements of the relationship betweenmedia organizations and government. Governmentmedia relations is deserving of serious study
because it sits at the interface between the executiveand journalism. Herman & Chomsky (1994)identified journalists reliance on governmentsources for a steady, reliable, cost-effective andcredible flow of news. They explained: the massmedia are drawn into a symbiotic relationship withpowerful sources of information by economic
necessity and reciprocity of interest.
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A famous quotation of Stanley Wolpert who tributesMuhammad Ali Jinnah in the following words:Few individuals significantly alter the course of
history. Fewer still modify the map of the world.Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state but Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three.Primarily, Jinnah was a lawyer and a constitutionalist.
He had a very clear perception of individualsfreedom rights especially the freedom of the press. Headvocated many cases for preserving the pressfreedom even without any invitation.
Tribute to Freedom
Fighter
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Governments try to purchase the loyalties of thepowerful journalists. Big amounts are presented to
journalists by government agencies. If some
journalist does not agree to go along them, theythreatened and warned by the governmentagencies and forced to change their attitude. Inalmost every regime, opponent writers, journalists
and editors had to face a lot of problems. Amongall these influences, the influence of thegovernment as advertiser is the most effective one
on media content.
GOVERNMENT
INFLUENCE
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Government at all levels spend millionsannually trying to manage media coverage of
their activities. The most important area oftheir influences on media contents isadvertisements. According to the Agenda-
Setting Theory government sets the agendaas per their need like the issues of LalMasjid,CJABL etc.
INFLUENCE ON MEDIA
CONTENT
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The press was dependent on govt. ads due toweak private sector and overall weak economy.Influence through funds, donations, foreign
trips, gifts, plots, etc. are some of the shapes ofgovernmental bribe to influence media content.For example, in February 2004, government hasinvited applications from journalists to allotthem plots in Islamabad and precious plotswere allotted to journalists to cater the ChiefJustices issue.
INFLUENCING
TECHNIQUES
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Stoppage of govt ads to some newspapersseldom take place. Usually it occurs in someunusual circumstances when a newspaper
decides to oppose the govt at any price, even atthe price of the stoppage of govt ads. APNScondemned the pressure of PID on newspapers
and also the use of newsprint quota/ ads tocontrol the press. Press freedom is adverselyaffected when governments use advertising to
punish critical publications.
STOPPAGE OF
ADVERTISEMENTS
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Freedom of expression has never been consistentin Pakistan. Different regimes used legal andconstitutional means to control the press from
public debate and criticism. Freedom of expressionand Pakistani press usually faces threats, violence,economic pressure, etc. The countrys law onblasphemy has been used against journalists. Poorliteracy, urban orientation of the press, and thehigh price of newspapers are detrimental factorsfor the under development of print media in
Pakistan.
INTERFERENCE IN FREEDOM
OF EXPRESSION
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The following tools ultimately construct the relationshipbetween government and media: Press Releases Press Conferences
Media Briefing Media Events (luncheons, a local fair) Radio, Television, Newspaper and Magazine Interviews Radio and Television Talk shows
Organizations own radio or television program Meeting with Editors Letters to the Editor of the Newspaper Public Service Announcements In-house Publications, Newsletters Websites
Relationship Tools
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Pakistani Government has a strong influence onmedia content through different techniques. Due toeconomic priorities and financial expenditures,newspapers have no way to ignore the advertising
income. Government, usually, have no courage totolerate criticism. Obviously, no newspaper canmake a deal of economic loss. This is the reason
why newspapers give more and more positivecoverage to the govt. There are great concerns forthe society that govt give the free hand to mediaindustry and need the attention of working for the
freedom of press.
CONCLUSION
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MALIK TARIQ MAHMOOD
AIOU & IIU, [email protected]@gmail.com
0300 97 00 423
0333 54 94 223
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