Role of Urdu Journalism

It’s an established fact that Urdu is a language of communal harmony, and also a confluence of cultures. Majority of non-Arab Muslims across the globe can read, write or understand Urdu. Urdu is also the mother tongue of several NRIs living in the gulf and western nations, and one of two official languages of Pakistan besides English. Besides serving as a connecting bridge between the Muslims and Islamic literature, Urdu journalism has played diverse roles of magnanimous importance in time. It has not only preserved the language and culture in the purest form, but also does moral policing of the Urdu community, connects them to the various facets of global development and serves as the voice of voiceless.

It has also played indispensable role in opinion making, and has emerged as an exemplary representative of the Urdu and the Muslim community in areas of interests otherwise neglected by other vernacular or English newspapers, perhaps due to availability of space or editorial preferences. In fact, since the time of independence, Urdu journalism, through its editorials, articles and features has immensely contributed in shaping the Urdu community and catapulting it on the tracks of development.

Acknowledging the role of Urdu journalism, other vernacular and English newspapers have of late started allowing abstracts of news relating to Urdu community in their columns dedicated to Urdu and minority community. In addition to this, Muslim readership, minority educational institutions, businesses and industries, rely on Urdu journalism, to convey their message to the Urdu-speaking masses.

Today, Urdu bloggers, columnists, internet editions, has enabled Urdu to be  read across the borders and thoughts to be exchanged beyond the physical boundaries.

With no dearth in variety of Urdu newspapers in the market today, the persistently raised question of the financial stability of Urdu journalists turns even more piercing. Hundreds of papers in Urdu exist, but only a handful of Urdu journalists celebrate their economic status while the lamentable majority either confines to a sub-standard lifestyle or thwarts their livelihood courtesy of the arduously demanding expenses. Some even compromise the high-standard of education long dreamt for their children obliging to the void in financial fortitude.

This article is part of an elaborate research-based series on Urdu Journalism : Past, Present and Future

Stay tuned. To be continued…