Asian Research Thesis Index

Abstract

In 2007 and 2008, Pakistan witnessed two historical events; the first lawyers' movement and the February 2008
general elections. On 9th March 2007, the then President General Pervez Musharraf, made dysfunctional the Chief
Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chuadhry. In response, lawyers' community and civil society stood behind
the CJ and launched country-wide protest against the dictator. During this time, Pakistan was in turmoil situation.
The CJ restoration movement overshadowed the political scenario in the country. The 2008 general elections held
in conflict situation after the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto. The elections were postponed till
18th February 2008 due to security reasons. Despite apprehension about the pre-plan rigging, the elections were
held in comparatively peaceful atmosphere in the country.
This study is carried out to evaluate the role of media, particularly the print media, played during the lawyers'
movement and 2008 general elections. Content method is applied to obtain the result. From the result of the study,
the print and electronic media provided tremendous coverage to lawyers' movement and 2008 general elections.
The study outcome reflects that the press not only gave an enormous space to judiciary restoration and elections
but did not bow to the ruler's pressure to stop the coverage of these events. The tone of the press was found mostly
against the government and in favor of lawyers' movement and to hold free and fair elections. The study concludes
that media played important role in the promotion of democracy in Pakistan, and free, liberal and impartial media
is necessary for flourishing a healthy democracy in the country.

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