Mapping of Pakistani Media, Society and Culture in the Mainstream Print Media of the United Kingdom and the United States

Abstract

This paper interrogated the Western media perception regarding Pakistani society, culture, image and media. It was the developing concern of Western electronic and print media to discuss the various issues related to Pakistan and mainly politics, international relations, society and culture were stressed upon. The present study explored the coverage of American and British press (the Telegraph, the Guardian, the New York Times & the Washington Post) regarding Pakistan. For this reason, the data got from the following newspapers the Telegraph, the Guardian, the New York Times & the Washington Post for the three specific months. The findings revealed that overall negative impression was found in American and British newspapers regarding Pakistani society, culture and media. Pakistani culture was attributed with patriarchal, male chauvinistic with blend of conservative’s tribal norms; extremism, rigidity, violent behavior and religious fanaticism. Women were shown as living in shabby conditions and they were deprived of their fundamental rights. The issues of crime against women, especially in the countryside about domestic violence, acid burning, and abused rape were highlighted. However, softer tone was depicted for pro-Western, liberals’ individuals, NGOs and other elements as compared to the right-wing groups which received more negative frames. Overall the negative issues related to natural disasters, over population, corruption, mismanagement, poor human rights, pervasiveness of conservative’s rightwing groups, and insecurity for journalists dominated the coverage.