Professional Mistrust, Boredom, and Anxiety among Urdu Media Journalists: An Analysis

Abstract

The key to the development of any organization lies in having confident and satisfied employees. This principle applies to journalistic institutions, such as news channels and newspapers, as well. If the organizational environment provides peace of mind for journalists, ensuring job security and attending to their basic needs, only then can they effectively fulfill their responsibilities. Journalists working for Urdu media in Pakistan face job insecurity. According to World Bank data from 2015, there are approximately 50 newspapers per 1000 people in the country, with 70 people having access to television sets. Given the substantial presence of media, especially Urdu media, the professional mistrust, anxiety, and detachment experienced by journalists warrant scientific investigation. Thus, research becomes imperative. The performance of any journalistic organization hinges on the professional contentment of its employees. Therefore, this study gauges the professional satisfaction of journalists through various measurable factors. Presently, a review of Urdu media reveals that about eighty Urdu channels are broadcasting in the country. According to the Audit Bureau of Sir Correspondence 2017, the total print circulation across the country is approximately 7.2 million. This research underscores that journalists in Urdu media harbor professional distrust concerning the newsroom environment, editorial policies, job security, advancement opportunities, and job growth. To this end, a survey was conducted among 200 journalists employed in various Urdu news channels and newspapers. The research findings indicate that reporters exhibit more job distrust compared to copy editors. During the study, copy editors expressed concerns about newsroom dynamics, including the use of copy-pasted news and news shared through WhatsApp groups. Some journalists also disclosed instances of delayed salary payments spanning two to three months. Additionally, it was underscored that the advertising industry's worth in the country is merely one billion rupees, while the expenses associated with newspapers and channels far exceed that amount, indicating a crisis.