WHO THREATENS JOURNALISTS IN PAKISTAN AND WHY? : AN ANALYSIS OF CONFESSIONS AND PERCEPTIONS OF WORKING JOURNALISTS

Abstract

Free press works as watchdog to guard the freedom of expression but legal and societal protection and respect is predestined to sustain. In democratic societies, societal pressures, economical persuasions, political and ideological dilemmas and the parasitism of national interests while the ruler’s ego, ruling interests and challenges of authorities in dictatorial regimes, are the areas bring to bear threats for journalists. A number of national and international studies proclaim press in Pakistan as not or partial free but don’t estimate the agents and their surreptitious ends which this study is aimed to dig out and locate using base line survey in consultation with working journalists all around the country, providing equal opportunity to respond the close ended questionnaire constructed under Likert’s Scale and Guttmann Scale on applicability’s priorities. The study also investigates senior journalists to explore the criterion more in depth. The results lead to generalize the conclusion and provide with significant roadmap of policy making and evoke further research in the relevant areas.