Identifying Compromised Journalism in Pakistan
In Pakistan, identifying which journalists may be compromised or "wrongly opinionated" is a challenge, particularly given the complex media landscape and the influence exerted by powerful quarters. The term "lafafa," meaning an individual receiving bribes or favors in exchange for biased reporting, highlights a deep-rooted public skepticism toward mainstream media. With increasing reliance on social media for information, the problem extends further as discerning between genuine news and propaganda becomes difficult. However, while it is impossible to pinpoint every compromised journalist definitively, there are some methods for assessing their credibility. 1. Examine Consistency and Independence: A credible journalist typically maintains consistency in their principles, regardless of political or social shifts. Assess whether a journalist's opinions or reporting style changes dramatically depending on the ruling government or influential groups. If their view...