Minorities in Pakistan: Role of Pakistani Private TV Channels in Highlighting Minorities’ Rights

Religious minorities in Pakistan “are believed to be much more than the estimated figures of 5 percent of Pakistan's 160 million population”. Minorities were enjoying good relationship with Muslim community but since few years some violent incidents resulting in destruction of the life and property were reported by media. Being a forth state of a society, media is expected to present all marginalized groups within it and to give an account of all incidents in a responsible way. This study finds out the role of Pakistani TV Channels to highlight minorities’ rights in Pakistan and to create harmony among all groups residing in the country. With mix methodology of qualitative and quantitative, data (N=456) was taken from students of five different universities of Lahore to know their perspective about the role of the Private Television channels to highlight minorities’ rights and their contribution in presenting the stories related to minorities. Data analysis shows that respondents find private TV channels quite vocal to give them awareness about minority rights and to share the incidents in a neutral way but respondents do not find private TV channels active in creating harmony among different minorities ‘groups. This study will analyze the role of private Pakistani TV channels for highlighting minorities’ rights and to create harmony through their programs. Study will also determine that either media is fulfilling its responsibility to give awareness about different minorities rights and to present the story in a responsible way. Through stratified sampling method, a sample of 456 students is taken from five different universities of Lahore to know the perspective of students regarding the role of Pakistani private channels. This study will deploy mix methodology of quantitative and qualitative to get an insight of students’ perspective. Survey method is deployed by distributing questionnaire to university students and interviews of 115 students were arranged for this study. Universities selected for this study include three public sector universities Punjab University and Lahore College for Women University, Kinnaird College University Lahore (A Christian University) and two private universities including Superior university and Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) which own a big strength of Christian students. Data was collected at the end of 2014 and in the beginning of 2015 which was a soaring time of Muslims Christian conflict.


Introduction
rights and to create harmony through their programs. Study will also determine that either media is fulfilling its responsibility to give awareness about different minorities rights and to present the story in a responsible way. Through stratified sampling method, a sample of 456 students is taken from five different universities of Lahore to know the perspective of students regarding the role of Pakistani private channels. This study will deploy mix methodology of quantitative and qualitative to get an insight of students' perspective. Survey method is deployed by distributing questionnaire to university students and interviews of 115 students were arranged for this study. Universities selected for this study include three public sector universities Punjab University and Lahore College for Women University, Kinnaird College University Lahore (A Christian University) and two private universities including Superior university and Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) which own a big strength of Christian students. Data was collected at the end of 2014 and in the beginning of 2015 which was a soaring time of Muslims Christian conflict.

Review of Literature
Mass media is sweeping in all walks of life with the passage of time and it is considered helpful because it is catering the needs of individuals varying from political matters to entertainment. Katz, Haas and Gurevitch (1973) also stated that television is considered one of important medium which is gratifying both political and personal needs of users. In Pakistani society after the freedom of media numbers of channels are penetrating into the market and it is having a strong impact on the lives of individuals. Electronic media is actually helping people to change their lifestyle. It helps in creating popularly accepted ideas by leaving strong impact on the society (Ali, 2013).
Respect for diversity or multiculturalism is one of important mainstream debate in 21 st century. For example, Verkuyten maintained that "Diversity is considered desirable and necessary for the development of secure ethnic identities and positive self-feelings, but is also challenged for being inequitable and a threat to social cohesion". There is no specific and inform the people about the different happenings of the minorities or it exaggerates the news items.

Hypothesis
Pakistani channels have been successful in creating awareness of minorities' issues/rights.
Results of survey support this hypothesis that Pakistani channels have been successful in creating awareness among the public. Results in Table 1 shows that TV industry has been successful making public aware of different minority issues and rights.
Pakistani TV channels are significantly highlighting minority issues through their content.
Statistical data approves this hypothesis that Pakistani TV channels are significantly highlighting the issues of minorities in general masses. Table 1 shows that M=2.1645. This suggests that TV is playing its role in highlighting minority rights through their content.
Pakistani channels are significantly promoting minority rights.
Perception of respondents about promotion of minorities rights M = 2.2566 support this hypothesis. Mean value (2.2303) of role of TV in creating harmony among Muslims and minorities also support this hypothesis.
Pakistani TV channels are fair in their coverage about minority rights.
Pakistani TV industry is proving unbiased coverage to minority rights in Pakistan. Statistical results of Table 1 depicts that this hypothesis is also approved i.e. M= 2.2303 when objective role of TV has been measured.
Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies Volume: 7 -Issue: 2 April -2017

Research Questions
 Are Pakistani TV channels creating awareness about minorities' issues/rights? give similar picture. Results also reveal that TV has been unsuccessful in resolving the conflict i.e. mean value (1.5197) for this question provide statistical support. An independent t-test was conducted to compare the perception of male and female for promotion of minority issues through TV content.  Do Pakistani channels present an objective view of minorities' issues and concerns? Table 1 show that Pakistani TV channels are giving an objective analysis of minorities issues in Pakistani society. Results show that TV is playing unbiased role in articulating minorities rights for instance mean value is 2.2303 when respondents gave their perception about objectivity in TV transmission. Likewise, mean value of 2.1645 also represents that TV has been successful in giving both sides of the picture related to minority's issues in Pakistan. An independent t-test was conducted to compare the perception of male and female for creation