In the past few years, journalism has been challenged at many fronts, and has come under fire for exactly what it is meant to do – journalism. With populist leaders across the globe vilifying journalists and media outlets for challenging their narratives and ‘alternate facts’, the battle has become all too real for those who struggle to bring news and stories to those to whom it matters the most – the people.

In Pakistan, journalism has been a challenge right from the word go. Starting with print and then including radio and television broadcasts, journalism was almost always tested by those who felt journalists were challenging certain narratives through their work. In such an environment, appreciating the transparency and accountability that journalism through its storytelling brings to a society has always been left under-appreciated. And like every industry, at times journalism has also been threatened by internal factors – poor ethics, questionable practices and even downright corruption. That has hit the credibility of journalists and tainted its public image. But instead of an internal correction, the media industry found itself in a situation where those dancing to the tunes of the powers-that-be were rewarded and those defying then, were punished. The cost of defiance was always huge. Certain quarters within Pakistan’s media industry continue to pay that price.

While the television news industry in the country has seen a sharp growth over the past two decades, lately it has come under immense economic pressure. This pressure is not new to print, which has been struggling since the advent of independent television news. The recent economic pressure faced by the media at large has been attributed to many reasons. One among them is the failure to develop a sustainable business model that could shed its major reliance on government for advertisement.

But in an ever evolving media landscape the real challenge for journalists and journalism in mediums considered traditional, such as print, radio and television, is adapting to the needs of a digital age while not compromising on journalistic ethics and integrity. This week, in our Special Report, we take stock of the situation and try to wrap our heads around all that challenges journalism in Pakistan.