Journalism becomes more independent, inclusive, and impactful than ever before

• For good journalism, journalists must be passionate about digging deeper into stories, seeking truth, and asking right questions from right persons or relevant institutions

To understand how journalism can bring a visible change around you, we must first understand what this profession truly is and what a journalist can do. We must know this that journalism is not only about covering politics or scandals; at its heart, it is about telling the stories that matter, even when they seem small or out of focus. In 2016, a journalist in Karachi reported on a group of young boys working long hours at a roadside mechanic shop in Korangi. With grease-stained hands and weary faces, they spent their days fixing motorbikes instead of attending schools. One of them quietly shared his dream of becoming a pilot, but poverty had ‘chained’ him to the workshop. Soon, the report about the young guys struck a chord with viewers.

Within days, charities and citizens stepped forward to sponsor all educational expenditures of the boys, and helping their families financially. For two of those boys, the story became a turning point, they left behind the mechanic shop and entered classrooms. We must understand that journalism isn’t always about changing the whole world by exposing someone or something. Sometimes, it reveals itself in small acts that change lives and perhaps even shape the future in better ways. Journalism as a profession demands three things from a journalist – curiosity, integrity, and dedication. Without these, a journalist is just another person doing a routine nine-to-five job. In journalism, dedication means going beyond the clock and sometimes working long hours, chasing leads, and pushing through risks to uncover the truth. On the other hand, curiosity is the core of journalism, because every story begins with questions.

A curious journalist asks: Why did this happen? Who is responsible? How does it affect people? Without curiosity, journalism becomes nothing more than a routine writing piece. Also, integrity is the backbone of trust. A journalist with integrity ensures accuracy, verifies sources, and avoids bias even when the truth is inconvenient or harsh. I am also interested to share my experience here that journalism isn’t just about asking questions; it’s about what is asked and how it is asked. A journalist doesn’t throw random questions they must frame the right ones. For instance, instead of asking a minister, “Are you working on education?” a sharper question would be, “Why are 30% of schools in your district still without teachers?” That tiny difference makes a huge impact and separates a journalist from an ordinary questioner.

But asking the right question means asking the question from the right person. We have to be careful that questions should be directed at those who hold responsibility or influence. If there is a health crisis, for example, there’s no point in asking a random official. The health minister or senior health officials or hospital administrator must answer. It is in our minds that journalism fails when the right people are not held accountable. We experienced that the journalists dig deeper into stories as they are never satisfied with surface-level information. They want to uncover the reasons behind a situation. If a fire breaks out in a factory, a journalist goes beyond reporting the flames. They ask: Were the emergency exits locked? Were safety checks ignored? This search for truth is what sets journalism apart.

A journalist’s ultimate goal is to uncover the truth not chase popularity or comfort. Even if the truth is inconvenient, painful, or dangerous, it is their duty to pursue it. Bringing the truth before society is what gives journalism its real power. In short, a good journalist asks sharp questions to the right people, digs beyond the surface, and always stays true to the truth. In Pakistan it seems that journalism has always stood at a crossroads between truth and pressure, and courage and censorship. Despite influence, some threats, and lack of resources, it has never lost its spirit of resilience. Today, young journalists are stepping forward with passion, refusing to bow down to corrupt systems, brutality, and media manipulation. They represent a new wave of journalism bold, questioning, and unwilling to be silenced.

The young journalists now have the power of social media, allowing them to communicate directly with people without interference or influence. The young journalists are reshaping Pakistan’s media landscape. Moving beyond traditional newsrooms, they’re turning to digital platforms: podcasts, and independent blogs to bypass censorship and connect directly with their audiences. With smartphones as their tools and social media as their stage, they break stories, raise awareness, and amplify voices often ignored by mainstream outlets. Digital journalism isn’t the future, it’s already here. But it comes with challenges: misinformation, clickbait culture, and online harassment. The real test for young journalists is to remain rooted in ethics and truth while navigating these fast-changing spaces. If they succeed, journalism in Pakistan will become more independent, inclusive, and impactful than ever before.