The transformation of digital media in Pakistan has been very interesting. It perhaps started to peak for the first time seriously in 2007 during the Musharaf-imposed emergency and the internet became the source of news for many news viewers. It also gave a platform to communicate and share updates regarding various activities and calls for protests. However, the actual boom started in 2014 when finally Pakistan awarded 3G and 4G licenses to cellular network providers.
With the availability of the internet on the go social media usage not only increased it also increased the appetite for online news and internet content. While few organizations spotted this opportunity, there were many individuals too who saw the opportunity in it and made a move to digital media from the conventional electronic and print media. One such name is Aroosa Khan, a broadcast and digital journalist from Lahore. A graduate of the Punjab University with a Master’s in Political Science, Aroosa started her media career in 2016.
In her six-year-long career, she has been associated with 7 News, City 42, and Neo TV before moving full-time to digital media journalism a couple of years ago with DailyPakistan.com.pk.
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Okara-born TV and digital media anchor, Aroosa says that her experience with mainstream media taught her a lot. “The overall experience of working with the mainstream electronic media was great. I learned a lot from my time with electronic media. Now when I look back at it, I realize that it has made me much more mature mentally,” said Aroosa.
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Besides anchoring digital shows Aroosa Khan is also an occasional model, in fact, she was quite frequent with her modeling assignments in 2019-20. However, we don’t see that much now. Upon asking if she has discontinued modeling, Aroosa said, “I enjoyed modeling, the experience was good but with my growing assignments of online journalism, I do not get much time for anything else. I enjoy what I am doing right now [online journalism, digital show hosting] a lot and I find it quite interesting. This does not mean that I have discontinued modeling, even now If I get a good opportunity I will surely avail it.”
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Aroosa says that it was an accident that landed her in digital media, “It was like taking a punt, as back then it was not as much of a thing as it is now. Now I can say that the move was worth it, the kind of recognition it has given me is one major reason for me to say that.”
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TV anchor tuned web shows host thinks that digital media still lacks a sense of responsibility and spirit of news, “Mainstream media, even with all its flaws, teaches you what good journalism is or at least gives you a good idea about it. On the other hand, digital media is totally different, it does not have parameters and standard quality checks like mainstream media. Unlike mainstream media where you literally have to think before you speak there is no such filter on digital media. That is one major reason why digital media has now started to be associated with pedaling of fake news. Aroosa also thinks that viewers take digital media very seriously now. she said, “Many senior journalists have left mainstream media for digital media, which I did in 2018. That makes me one of the early movers, however, there are many journalists who are still scared of taking risks and are skeptical about digital media.”
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After spending more than four years in digital media, Aroosa says that it has a lot of challenges. “You have to make all the content on your own. Moreover, digital media don’t require timekeeping per se. If you put your heart into it and make an honest effort, you can earn a good amount from it. Moreover, it also gives you the feel of building your own platform and working on it.”
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