Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2015. 12:00 PM.
Location: Encina Hall West, Room 208
Since the last decade the media in Pakistan has become very vibrant because of the privatization of TV channels. Like the media of the world, the primary functions of electronic media are tri dimensional; to inform, educate, and entertain. In Pakistan the electronic media is providing information at a very large scale. It is playing an outstanding role in reshaping masses opinion, lifestyle and strengthening the society. But there is a dark side of Pakistan’s information revolution. Media comes under censorship of both state and not state actors. On the other hand, the objectivity of media is becoming increasingly questionable. Najia Ashar is a broadcast journalist in Pakistan. As a John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford, she is working on her project which is about dangers of journalism in Pakistan. She has been a senior anchor and producer at Geo News, Pakistan’s most reputable news channel. Ashar also is a columnist and blogger, writing for the Daily Jang and The News international. She began her career in journalism as a researcher and writer with the state-run television network PTV, and soon worked her way to up hosting daily and weekly programs. In 2004, Ashar moved to work for Geo, which leads the television news industry and has the largest market share in Pakistan. Initially, she provided the news bulletins from Dubai. Ashar now anchors the main news bulletins in Karachi, Geo’s headquarters. She has reported live on many historic events. Ashar also has hosted daily public affairs programs, including This is Pakistan. Â She has a master’s degree in international relations. In 2013, she was named a fellow at The East-West Center.
Location: Encina Hall West, Room 208
Since the last decade the media in Pakistan has become very vibrant because of the privatization of TV channels. Like the media of the world, the primary functions of electronic media are tri dimensional; to inform, educate, and entertain. In Pakistan the electronic media is providing information at a very large scale. It is playing an outstanding role in reshaping masses opinion, lifestyle and strengthening the society. But there is a dark side of Pakistan’s information revolution. Media comes under censorship of both state and not state actors. On the other hand, the objectivity of media is becoming increasingly questionable. Najia Ashar is a broadcast journalist in Pakistan. As a John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford, she is working on her project which is about dangers of journalism in Pakistan. She has been a senior anchor and producer at Geo News, Pakistan’s most reputable news channel. Ashar also is a columnist and blogger, writing for the Daily Jang and The News international. She began her career in journalism as a researcher and writer with the state-run television network PTV, and soon worked her way to up hosting daily and weekly programs. In 2004, Ashar moved to work for Geo, which leads the television news industry and has the largest market share in Pakistan. Initially, she provided the news bulletins from Dubai. Ashar now anchors the main news bulletins in Karachi, Geo’s headquarters. She has reported live on many historic events. Ashar also has hosted daily public affairs programs, including This is Pakistan. Â She has a master’s degree in international relations. In 2013, she was named a fellow at The East-West Center.