Relationship of Media and Imran Khan: An Analytical Study

Abstract

In a time of unparalleled worldwide interconnectedness, media functions as a powerful enabler of social change. Media networks, which were first intended to be a platform for individuals to produce, assess, and exchange information, have changed and now have a big impact on social norms and behavior. This study explores the complex connection between Imran Khan and the media, looking at Pakistan's media environment from August 2018 to April 2022.Imran Khan made effective use of the Internet as a vital source of information during his administration. This qualitative study offers a detailed analysis of the opinions, attitudes, and feelings of seasoned journalists from prestigious newspapers and TV networks around Pakistan through semi-structured interviews. Eleven journalists all with at least ten years of experience were having talks at their homes or places of employment, and the questions were sent out by email beforehand. The research reveals a difference in media coverage based on affiliation with or opposition to the government, when the gatekeeping hypothesis is applied to the study's findings. Media organizations that supported the press thrived financially and professionally, while those viewed as being against the press were subject to heightened scrutiny and punitive actions. Online harassment of journalists was further exacerbated by the proliferation of troll farms with ties to the government. The study's observation that authoritarian and democratic countries use similar strategies to control the media is intriguing. An in-depth examination of the complex relationship between Imran Khan and the media, as interpreted by the Gatekeeping Theory of Communication Studies, is necessary in order to fully comprehend the media's impact on the evolution of society. Although the piece acknowledges President Musharraf's beneficial contributions to media freedom, it also emphasizes how social media has become the dominant force in modern times, giving everyone access to the world. This study adds to the growing body of knowledge about how important the media is in forming societies and assisting in the difficult process of democratic government.