Journalists associations
Press clubs in Pakistan are membership-based, mainly elected, bodies of journalists from the print and electronic media, based in towns and cities throughout the country. Some of the bigger press clubs, such as those in the provincial capitals, wield considerable influence. There are more than 200 press clubs across Pakistan. They offer not only a collective space for media practitioners but also a forum to take up work-related challenges.
Several associations represent Pakistani media organisations and the practitioners working with those. Since its inception in the late 1950s, the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) has worked as the combined body of newspaper editors in the country to campaign press freedom and the right of access to information. All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS) includes editors, publishers and other senior management employees.
APNS was formed in 1953, by merging the existing groups of publishers. It remained very active in handling the problems faced by its members vis-à-vis the provincial and central governments relating to advertisements, clearance of dues, taxes and newsprint. It laid down rules of conduct for member publications as well as the advertising agencies.
Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), a representative body comprising both television and radio broadcasters in Pakistan, was established in 2005. PBA has 105 members, of which 17 are radio channels and the rest TV channels. The association aims to resolve the problems of the industry with mutual understanding not only among broadcasters but also with the concerned authorities. The broadcasters also strive to collectively deal with various problems arising from governmental regulations, pressure groups and frame rules for conduct of business with advertising agencies/media buying houses, production houses, clients and professionals related to broadcasting media.