PRESS IN SUB- CONTINENT DURING AND AFTER 1857

PART III

Press after Independence: Imroz & Kohistan Imroz – Faiz Ahmad Faiz , Chiragh Hassan Hasrat

contributed to it. Kohistan – Nasim Hijazi. Experimented with off set &

Lithotype processes of printing. Drawbacks of lithotype printing were that could not

print pictures. Photo-journalism started in 1953 with Lithotype. 1953 – Communal Riots 1957 – media were free 1960 - most of the magazines were replaced by Digests Progressive Papers Ltd. – Published Lail o Nehar,

Pakistan Times

Press after Independence

Literary personalities were affiliated, started progressive movement in Literature.

Ayub – took control, imposed Martial Law. Govt took over Progressive papers ltd.

Two independent News agencies were working, APP & PPI.

Ayub Khan banned International news agencies to distribute News directly to Media.

Press restrictions 1960 – 1963 National Press Trust took over 60% newspapers 1963 – Press Laws reformed without much flexibility No commercial support to anti –government newspapers

Ayub 1958 – 1969; Press restrictions & Ayub’s Period

Newspapers acquired dominant political tone Decline in the readership motivated newspapers

to publish different supplements on sports, women & youth. Gradual shift in focus

Imroz was the first to hire a woman reporter Innovation in feature writing, features with

pictures – social cultural aspect Newspapers with film pages & film bulletins

started their publication from different cities

Set-back by television

1964 – PTV television started and most of the writers shifted their attention to TV channels for paid content writing

Most of the newspapers were covering governments point of view

Government focus was on the masses to make them produce a homogenized reaction through newspapers

Newspapers did not have a public at that time. Public emerged through an effort.

Yahya’ s regime 1969 - 1970

General Yahya agreed to all demands Revived Parliamentary system, revival of trade

& student unions Announced elections of May 1969 Political parties launched their campaigns Newspapers of Pakistan did not show any

sense of responsibility, they reported speculations, rumors & blames of political parties

PPO: Press & Publication Ordinance

Had not been used by Yahya’s govt., a mushroom growth of newspapers was seen.

Most of the newspapers resumed their publication

Politically biased reporting Question of liberty with responsibility

National Press trust: General Elections Excessively emphasized that Rightist could win the elections Results of the election were different Newspapers created an impression that Awami League

could never win the elections, same was the case with Peoples party

One-sided stance of newspapers Keeping in view most of the political parties started their

own newspapers PPP – Musawat Jamat e Islami – Jasarat Azad was given a lot of credit for fair reporting

Expected Role of Media during 1971 Crisis Common language of communication. English language barrier English dailies from Bengal Pakistan Observer – Dhakka Morning News - Dhakka Dawn – West Pakistan Pakistan Times - West Pakistan Area of influence was very small

Expected Role of Media during 1971 Crisis Never talked about the demands from East

Bengal. Never gave just coverage & never projected true picture

Demand of official language Exploitation of rights of representation in one

unit Ban on Awami League during 1970 Military operation Mukti Bani Movement (Liberation front

Newspapers after 1971

After 1971 – media used as PR tool. Spokesperson for national interests & Development communication

Reported : Pessimism, economic crisis Yahya handed over the government to Bhutto,

leader of largest political party PPP

Newspapers stance at the fall of Dhaka