Neglected and Unheard: AJK’s Absence in National Media
In today’s world, even small voices and quick videos can go viral. Yet, the AJK region remains overlooked in national media. With over 4 million residents, AJK has just one TV channel, AJKTV, for news and entertainment. News outlets in Pakistan often ignore AJK unless there’s a natural disaster or political-military conflict. This silence stifles local voices and allows misinformation to thrive. The problem is serious, but we can fix it through media development and by prioritising local voices.
The Lone Voice: AJKTV and Its Limitations
AJK holds a unique political and strategic importance. It’s surprising that such a large region has only one official TV channel, which is part of PTV. This channel has limited reach and fails to produce modern content. To my knowledge, it has never been cited by any national or international media. Many people in AJK prefer Pakistan-based news channels or social media over AJKTV. While Radio Azad Kashmir and local newspapers exist, they mainly serve areas with poor internet access. These outlets lose credibility as content evolves, with more viewers favouring visual media over print.
The Coverage Gap: Missing Stories and Outsourced Narratives
Pakistan-based news channels rarely cover AJK or its local stories. These channels often lack local offices and depend on local correspondents, who may be under-trained or inexperienced. There is little verification of the news they provide. Local issues rarely make it to prime time news, and native cultural content is often overlooked. AJK mainly imports content, while it should be able to produce its own.
Vacuum of Truth: Rise of Misinformation and Rumours
The lack of official news forces people to turn to unofficial sources, like Facebook or WhatsApp. This fuels rumours and misinformation. International outlets that don’t align with national policies often fill the news gap, along with anti-state propaganda. Unverified news can morph into rumours and conspiracy theories, leading to public distrust. Without local media, international viewers rely on outlets like BBC or CNN, which also depend on local correspondents. The absence of official coverage promotes misinformation and chaos.
What Can Be Done: Towards a Stronger Local Media Ecosystem
Despite the chaos, we can improve the situation with a multi-step strategy. First, the government should create authentic, modern news channels in AJK. It can invite private investment in the information sector. The government must also build a strong and credible social media presence, especially on Twitter and YouTube. Additionally, it should encourage Pakistan-based and international channels to work with AJKTV instead of solely using local correspondents. Establishing media training institutes and developing mass communication departments at AJK University and Poonch University is essential. Finally, creating a legal framework that ensures press freedom while combating misinformation is key to building a trustworthy media future.
Conclusion: Why AJK Media Reform Matters
Coverage of AJK in national media is not just an issue; it’s a gap that threatens democracy and state authority. Authentic local voices need to be heard; otherwise, policies will remain imposed and problems unresolved. Now is the time to move beyond traditional methods and create platforms that genuinely represent the region according to national policy and the will of the Kashmiri people. Otherwise, the tide of misinformation could erase authentic news from our media landscape.
