Digital Media and Diversity: How Pakistan’s Media Reports Minorities [Report]

Digital Media Alliance of Pakistan (DigiMAP) in cooperation with Freedom Network and IRADA published a report titled “Digital Media and Diversity: How Pakistan’s Media Reports Minorities.”

This research report aims to provide an in-depth examination of public interest news and information on the rights and lives of religious minorities (RMs) published by independent non-legacy digital publications and legacy media websites in Pakistan.

The report is based on a comparative analysis of news stories related to religious minorities produced by non-legacy digital media outlets represented by the 13 member organizations of the Digital Media Alliance of Pakistan (DigiMAP) and legacy media websites represented by five major media groups over a period of three and a half months in 2021. The research also encompassed documentation of journalistic experiences of non-legacy media practitioners in reporting about religious minorities.

The research sample consisted of 52 stories from non-legacy digital publications and 48 stories from legacy media websites monitored and analyzed in the same period. The stories were evaluated against 11 indicators for quality journalism and diversity. A survey was also conducted of non-legacy digital journalists to identify the challenges they faced in reporting about religious minorities.

The main findings of the study are:

  1.  Public interest dimensions – Non-legacy digital media performs slightly better than legacy media.
  2. Contextualizing the coverage – Non-legacy digital media shows up where legacy media struggles.
  3. Inclusivity and diversity – Legacy media coverage fails the test.
  4. Avoiding negative stereotypes – Coverage of RMs largely neutral.
  5. The Jillani Judgment – Legacy media forgets Supreme Court ruling.
  6. Journalists are unsure of story ideas due to “sensitivity”.
  7. Social and religious pressures affect reporting on religious minorities.
  8. Restrictions on access are a form of government pressure.
  9. Finances and sourcing are seen as major logistical challenges.
  10. Awareness of minority rights improved.


Based on the findings, the research offers the following recommendations:

  1. Ensure sustainability of mentorship for public interest digital journalism.
  2. Enhance the capacity of digital journalists to report on marginalized communities.
  3. Provide safety training to digital journalists.
  4. Increase awareness about the Justice Jillani judgment.
  5. Draft a code of ethics to guide responsible reporting about marginalized groups.
  6. Encourage engagement between media and minorities around content.

Download the complete report. in PDF.