Home Journal List Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan Volume 53 Article Details

Women Protection Legislation and Media Discourse In Pakistan

Abstract

This current study is an attempt to examine the role of national media towards the promotion of women rights awareness. For the purpose, media coverage, during the time period when women protection legislation was proposed, debated and passed in Punjab assembly, has been examined. It has been studied as to what extent the media focused to discourse the legislation and in what way the bill, which became law later on, was conversed. Moreover, it has been observed as to how responsibly media debated the issue for the awareness of the people and especially women. Considering the purpose of the study, agenda setting (McCombs & Shaw, 1972) and Social responsibility (Siebert, Peterson, & Schramm, 1956) theories of mass communication have been sourced Findings revealed that the media did not prioritize the women protection legislation and published a limited number of reports and editorials in selected time-period. The primary coverage focus remained inclined towards “statements” of prominent personalities along-with “activities and events” regarding women protection legislation. It was noted that debatable aspects and provisions of the legislation were neglected in the media. The fact remains that discussions relating to execution, implementation and awareness were much more important rather than reporviolence against womenting mere rhetorical statements or event coverage.

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