It’s one of the most tough yet exciting jobs, doubly so if you’re a woman. Despite financial insecurities, censorship, and tough work conditions, it can be an incredibly fulfilling job for someone passionate about journalism.
Asma Shirazi:
"Women journalists have to take on a much heavier workload then their male colleagues. Their work is severely critiques and targeted. What are those stories that women do not cover? They are on every news platform. Yet the criticism is based on the basis of their gender. They are subjected to abuse and unnecessary criticism. It is very difficult to work as a female journalist in Pakistan. But we will not give up and pave a smooth way for the next generation.”
Farzana Ali:
“Journalism is no more an easy profession. It is not so much about telling truth than toeing a line that suits everyone else. A woman journalist is often a target. She has to negotiate a long and rugged path to tell her story. But today, on this woman's day, I will break all shackles. I resolve to bring a change.”
Mehmal Sarfaraz:
“I have been in journalism since 2005 and it’s been quite an eventful ride for me. I started as a print journalist but transitioned to the electronic media, both behind the camera as a producer as well as on screen. Now I am running a digital media platform, The Current, as its co-founder. I have evolved over the years, learned a lot in the process and also tried to raise my voice for the marginalised as much as I can.”
Nadia Naqi:
"I started my career with radio in 1996 while I was at college. It was really fun. After completing my education in Dubai and Karachi, I opted for journalism to bring issues into limelight. I joined Business Plus in 2005. Over the years, I have worked for CNBC, AAJ TV, Express, News One and finally Dawn. I have always felt men think that women know nothing. They are always ready to bring them down and the easiest method is to assassinate their character. It was tough. With time I learned that I must be doing something right and that is why I make men feel insecure. I showed to them that I will do what I want to do. My message to all my female colleagues is to keep the fight on."
Nasim Zehra:
“With abiding power play and almost endless political chaos, being a journalist in Pakistan is like being on a roller coaster. It’s a tough, trying but rewarding space to be in with self-scrutiny keeping you on your feet 24/7. We have to deal with the toxic fallout in this horribly mindless and polarised politics.”
Naziha Syed:
“I’ve been a journalist for about 35 years but, despite everything, I remain an idealist at heart - still wanting to change the world! That’s what drives me to try and tell stories of people who don’t often get heard, and why I work to expose corruption and abuse of power. There’s nothing as gratifying as knowing that what I’ve written has empowered people by giving them information they can use to push back against the state.”
Sehar Baloch:
“My experience as a journalist in Pakistan has been full of adventure. I realised that there is power in telling stories of those no one wants to listen to and from places no one wants to visit – and that this power should be used wisely.”
Tanzeela Mazhar:
I have worked as a broadcast journalist for almost two decades. Have been associated with leading news organisations including PTV, AAJ TV , and JAAG TV, currently hosting a prime time show at GTV. This journey has been challenging in terms of fighting for equal opportunities and fighting against harrasment. After raising my voice against harassment, I was stigmatised, and I had to stay jobless for three years. I never gave up, besides journlaism I train on media, rights, gender and diversity.
Zebunnisa Burki:
“Professionally, for me the story of journalism is one of wide-eyed and very necessary idealism of the Truth and speaking this Truth to Power -- to struggling with today's cynical 'post-truth world'. On a personal level, my journalism journey has been one of nodding along in agreement with mentors and seniors to finding the voice and the 'place' to disagree -- internally, within journalism, within the newsroom, on the editorial table.”