Pakistani Newspapers Representation of Religious Groups

Mokhtar Elareshi; Mohammed Habes; Sana Ali

doi:10.29333/ejecs/1999

Authors

Mokhtar Elareshi University of Sharjah https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5706-3828
Mohammed Habes Radio & TV Department, Yarmouk University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3790-7303
Sana Ali Mass Communication Department, Allama Iqbal Open University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3474-000X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/1999

Keywords:

Print media, Ethnic minorities, Ethno-cultural diversity, Media portrayal, religious groups

Abstract

Pakistan is a multi-religious and multicultural society, home to Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and followers of other prominent faiths. This diversity extends beyond religious distinctions to encompass cultural and ethnic variations. Media, particularly newspapers, play a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of these religious groups, emphasizing the importance of impartial and responsible journalism. This study conducts a content analysis of 84 news articles from leading Pakistani newspapers to scrutinize the portrayal of religious groups. The Findings reveal an unequal distribution of media coverage, with Christians receiving the highest attention compared to other non-Muslim groups. While the portrayal of non-Muslim groups is predominantly positive (90.5%), instances of anti-Ahmadi content reflect complexity in media narratives. The findings note a significant focus on the well-being of religious groups and their contributions to society, with 85.7% of articles highlighting religious events. The positive representation reflects broader societal discourse acknowledging diverse contributions and cultural expressions. However, the study raises critical questions about editorial decisions, journalistic priorities, and societal dynamics influencing media narratives.

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Author Biographies

Mokhtar Elareshi, University of Sharjah

Mokhtar Elareshi (PhD) is an Associate Professor, College of Communication, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE. Elareshi earned his PhD from Media and Communication Department, University of Leicester, UK (2013). His research interests and publications cover topics related to young adults’ media habits, social media, media studies, e-marketing, e-learning, and education. E: melareshi@sharjah.ac.ae.

Mohammed Habes, Radio & TV Department, Yarmouk University

Mohammed Habes (PhD) is an Assistant Professor, Faculty of Mass Communication, Yarmouk University, Jordan. He obtained his PhD in TV and Digital Media, Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin | UniSZA, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. His research interests include digital media, social media marketing, media studies, social tv, tv studies, academic development. E: mohammad.habes@yu.edu.jo.

Sana Ali, Mass Communication Department, Allama Iqbal Open University

Sana Ali is a PhD Candidate in Mass Communication, Birmingham City University Birmingham, UK and works as a freelance writer. Ms. Ali is very skilled in quantitative and qualitative research. Currently, she focuses on children’s rights especially regarding online media and violence against children. Besides, she is interested in consolidating digital media in education to magnify the opportunities concerning eLearning in Pakistan. E: sana_leo1990@hotmail.com.

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