Analysis of coverage of Pakistan PM candidate election


The eyes of media houses across the globe were glued to witness the Pakistan general election of 2018. People have entrusted immense faith in the newly elected Prime Minister Imran Khan to heal all the economic complications the country has been facing.
Following details are an attempt to provide insight into the coverage facilitated by international media and their take on this event, right from declaration of election to the result:


Coverage by Pakistan media:
  •    Dawn.com- In a series of articles covered by the online portal Dawn.com, it emphasized on the campaign strategies adopted by Pakistan Tehreek-i-insaaf (PTI). The headline said “How a phone app and a database helped PTI clinch election victory”. Voters were targeted through this app to mobilize supporters leading to a successful campaign. They kept this innovative plan as a secret so as to avoid their competitors from getting inspired by it.
Other headline said “Thinking of not voting in Pakistan’s election, think again”. Another article illustrates the amount spent by Imran Khan (1m) and his competitor Shahbaz Sharif (1.9m) on election campaign in Lahore. The leading website invited readers for an online survey so as to know their predictions from 4 to 9 July, involving 18,136 respondents; where PTI emerged as a clear winner.
 Furthermore, after the victory of PTI, the headline said “India welcomes Pakistan’s election, puts hope in new government”. The report highlighted that India is looking forward to work with prosperity and peace with their neighbour and has high hopes set up with the newly elected government when it comes to terror free South Asia. Mehboba Mufti’s appeal to PM Narendra Modi for accepting Imran Khan’s offer to settle Kashmir dispute has also been mentioned. Her dissatisfaction while working in alliance with BJP for two years has also been elucidated while she was addressing the foundation day of the party in Srinagar.
  • Geo TV- The coverage by this channel was quite intricate; they focused on every little angle and aspect related to the election for instance women in North Waziristan vote for the first time was highlighted. Event of violence, the suicide blast outside the polling station in Quetta killing three candidates; the inevitable and imperative role of app to collect database as well as ensuring voters to turn up for voting has been covered by Geo TV.
 


Coverage by Indian media:

  •  India today: The report discussed about Pakistan’s foreign policy, Imran Khan talked about improving their relations with neighbouring countries such as China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan etc.; furthermore hinting towards a balanced as well as mutually beneficial relationship with the United States. In another article, Imran assures the citizens that he will enhance the governance and that Pakistan will be a welfare state. Another headline said "I was disappointed that the Indian media portrayed me like a Bollywood movie villain”.  Talking about Kashmir Imran Khan said “need to stop blame game”. “If the leadership of India is willing, we are fully ready to improve our relations. You come one step towards us, we step forward two steps. But we need you to take the first step at least. As of now, it is only a one-sided relationship where Pakistan is blamed. At present, any terrorist activity that happens in the world is blamed on Pakistan. I say with conviction, it is important for the subcontinent that friendship happens between the two nations. I want that we solve our issues through dialogue” he added. 
  • Times now: This news channel left no stone unturned to defame and create a negative image of Imran Khan in India. #PakVotesForTerror hashtag was used by the channel and the coverage emphasized on “India’s enemy Imran to be PM”. Non-stop coverage of the election results were broadcasted in the channel just the way the counting of Indian elections are shown.
  • Firstpost.com: “Pakistan general elections: Media houses say they faced unprecedented pressure to toe official line” said the headline. The journalists complained of abduction and censorship ahead of polls; those who aren’t facing the policies of authorities are being targeted. The report also highlighted previous instances of challenges faced by Pakistan’s leading media houses.
 



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