Muckraking in Modern Journalism

                                                         Muckraking in Modern Journalism

 Azadar Hussain

 Laureate Folks International

1.   Introduction and Background

 

The technology driven media have evolved the global village into modernization. There was a time when dissemination of information was used to be done through traditional way, which was a simple verbal communication or in other words, door-to-door conveyance of information. The information and communication technologies (ICTs) have paved the way for a much smarter and swift spread of information among the masses. Even if the information is more to handle, the modernization of technologies with every passing day showed innovative ways to disseminate information. The prime responsibility of media is to inform the common man about the news and latest happening regardless of dependence or independence of the watchdog role.

 

Media independence can either strengthen or weaken the regulatory role, depending upon the policies of a state (Deacon. D &Wring, 2016). Media being the fourth pillar of a state has a definite role in shaping the image of a state. As media has the power to make or break a state by encouraging or discouraging the citizens, especially in times of crisis and war.

 

There are myriad of advantages or disadvantages of independence of media. For instance, the exposure of Watergate scandal and disturbing live coverage of one of the twin towers falling to the ground in the 9/11 incident, respectively. Media ought to be responsible for the content being shown on the national television channel and even private channels as well.

 

In Pakistan, media regulating body goes by the name PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority) which provides licenses to private media channels and standardize information, education and entertainment. The regulatory body mentioned above keeps a watch on the media practices all over Pakistan (Fatiana, Wahab & Aleem, 2018). Media ought to be just and objective while broadcasting relevant news which could add knowledge to the information of the viewers.

 

Media independence gives rise to investigative journalism, hence muckraking comes into the forefront. Muckraking journalism is not merely about highlighting scandals against towering personalities of a state or unearthing false political agenda.   It is in-depth investigative journalism that could prove to benefit the government in power to bring the corrupt to justice.

 

Muckraking is not restricted to uncovering business abuse since there is much more to the exposure of journalism than a mere investigation (Endres, 1997). Investigative reporting is the fundamental practice of muckraking journalism which plays a vital role in social change. As far as muckraking journalism is concerned, it is seldom seen in Pakistan.

 

1.1 Statement of the problem

 

Investigative journalism is being falsely used and even negatively interpreted in second-world second-world countries. Genuine Muckrakers are rarely seen in the country. Also, many investigative journalists by heart and mind get penalized and those who work to get TRPs (Television Rating Points) are mostly bribed or backed by a political party. The concept of media independence in Pakistan should be redeemed as this term is particularly abused in the country for personal gains.

 

1.2 Research Question

 

How does media independence influence the muckrakers to practice investigative journalism?

 

 

1.3 Objectives

 

        To highlight the real social ills through the lens of news media

 

        To ponder upon the true means of investigative journalism

 

        To stress the importance of muckrakers in investigative reporting

 

        To define the essence of investigative journalism and its role in the society

1.4 Importance of the study

 

 

Muckraking is synonymous with investigative journalism or specifically investigative reporting in the 21st  Century. Since print media is a dying media due to modernization in technology, muckraking has taken its new roots in new media, which is the internet. As muckraking has gone global, many people are still oblivious about muckraking online.

 

2.   Literature Review

 

Media independence greatly affects the socio-political and economic viewpoint of a state. The more there is freedom of speech and expression in media, the more there will be muckrakers to do investigative reporting on any platform. It is evident that people could be misled by this much free-hand to media. Specific institutions which regulate the appropriateness of the news or content being shown on news media and on the internet play a key role to keep people informed about the latest happenings. For instance, PEMRA has a crucial role to improve the standards of information on private media channels. The same goes for DGPR (Director General Public Relations), which sets some strict policies to censorship in press media and electronic media of Pakistan.

 

Liberalization of Media

 

The era of President-Dictator of Pakistan (2001-2008), General Pervez Musharraf was the time of liberalization of media and market deregulation. Undoubtedly, the advent of media independence in Musharraf’s liberalization increased state-market competition which resulted in the growing participants in the services of communication (Gul, Obaid & Ali, 2017). Then again, to legitimize his rule, Musharraf adopted the policies to liberalize media and give a right to freedom of speech. Hence, this revolutionary move was primarily to decorate personal interests.

The media has gotten quite influential on the political front. Keeping in mind the authoritarian history in Pakistan, the growing influence of media independence is a momentous development. Pakistani media with its overall autonomy has turned into a trendsetter for a political and social talk in the country. From 1999, Pakistan entered a progressive era and presently, among the 57 member states of the Islamic Conference, Pakistan has the most elevated level of opportunity of expression of freedom and articulation (Parveen & Nawaz, 2018).

 

Despite the increased freedom in the Media of Pakistan, investigative reporters are being sidelined or not allowed to cover certain tribulations of society or corruption on the national level.

 

Challenges for Independent News Media

 

The Media of Pakistan has unprecedented clout in highlighting abuses of power and corruption. The dark side nevertheless prevails since Pakistan was ranked by the Committee to Protect Journalists as one of the deadliest countries for media (Ricchiardi, 2012). Technological advancement has led to the manufacturing of portable ICTs. As one can see that, every person is a digital citizen. Individuals have access to a myriad of online platforms so they prefer going online and moving around than sitting idly to watch something of interest.

 

Numerous news media, including the two newspapers and broadcasters, as of now have thusly put considerable assets in online media and built significant audience reach online (Nielson, Cornia & Kalogeropoulos, 2016). The news about exposing corruption or any other content gathers substantial viewership but of course, if the limits get crossed, the institutions shut down the channel and the viewership goes down the drain. If a particular online channel has garnered viewership which is enough to attract viewers across borders, the owner prevails in digital media but is constantly under threat by state institutions. In Pakistan, the renowned program anchors own their personal news media online channel since they are not allowed to share information with the viewers which do not fall within the media news channel policy.

 

Investigative journalism in Pakistan

 

Despite the fact that Pakistani Media being one of the largest and most developed in Asia, are under the radar of military established and government (Baloch & Andresen, 2020). This may seem beneficial to the state but it gives way to the correspondence of Pakistani journalists with western media, disclosing to them highly confidential information which could lead to a breach in national security. This clarifies that the rights of the media and freedom of speech are not protected by the government.  To the government, media is a tool to cultivate an image of society. The more the government considers media as the fourth pillar of a state, the more the media body will flourish and participate in 5th Generation Warfare at full zeal.

 

The ideal-typical journalism and different approaches to the profession varying in different circumstances in Pakistan reflects that any description of journalism or digital news media from working truthfully and operating as a watchdog for the betterment of the society as a whole is not only immature but also misleading (Baloch & Andresen, 2020). It is either due to state-strictness or journalistic immaturity.

 

Investigative journalism draws a pathway to hidden information which can unveil corruption to its core. Not many countries, especially the second world countries and Communist countries enjoy media immunity.

 

3.   Methodology

 

It will be empirical research. The data will be gathered through first-hand information and will be based on evidence. It can either be analyzed quantitatively or qualitatively. Priority is to do research by using the quantitative method. This method can help the researcher to carry out in- depth-depth examination to produce results on facts. Otherwise, the considered opinion of the supervisor will be adapted regarding the usage of the type of research method.

 

Systematic Sampling will be used to answer questions in the survey. Since the title of the research cannot be interpreted by a common man but professional journalists, this type of sampling is appropriate.

 

4.   Limitations

 

The research is limited to principally investigative journalism and investigative reporting. Media itself is an ambit of diversified areas of study depending on varied situations. The research will mainly highlight the nature of muckraking or investigative reporting in news media, online media and print media. Keeping in mind the status of renowned journalists, their availability would not be certain.

References

 

Deacon, D., & Wring, D. (2016). The UK Independence Party, populism and the British news media: Competition, collaboration or containment? European Journal of Communication, 31(2),

169-184

 

 

Khan, M. A. (2016). Media landscape in Pakistan and censorship through viewers' complaints to

 

PEMRA.

 

 

Endres, K. L. (1997). Muckraking: A Term Worth Redefining. American Journalism, 14(3-4),

 

333-335.

 

 

Gul, M., Obaid,  Z.,  & Ali, S. (2017). Liberalization of media in Pakistan: A challenge to democracy. The Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 25(1), 37-54.

 

Parveen, S., & Bhatti, M. N. (2018). Freedom of expression and media censorship in Pakistan: A

 

historical study. Journal of Historical Studies, 4(2), 1-21.

Ricchiardi, S. (2012). Challenges for independent news media in Pakistan. Washington, DC: Center for International Media Assistance.

 

Nielsen, R. K., Cornia, A., & Kalogeropoulos, A. (2016). Challenges and opportunities for news media and journalism in an increasingly digital, mobile, and social media environment. Mobile, and Social Media Environment (December 1, 2016).