BROADCASTING IN PAKISTAN

a.From Radio Pakistan To Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation

Numerical Growth, Geographical Expansion, And Technological Leap In Broadcasting
Sectorin Pakistan

Short history of radio

• Markoni launched radio in Italy.1887, a German expert physicist named hamridge hertz.He
was experiments about radio waves.hertz effort to invent radio are carried towards by markoni.
• In 1906, Reginald fessenden played first ever radio program from his private laboratory on
Christmas Event in America.

Broadcasting in Pakistan
• Radio broadcasting in Pakistan started on the night of August 14, 1947. On the night of August
14, Pakistani listeners listened to the radio when Pakistan was coming into being.
The first and best sound was aired by Lahore Radio Station for a duration of 1 hour, it was a
special transmission. This transmission is going from 12 to 1 am.
• The broadcast began with the recitation of the Holy Quran and Naat Rasool was also heard
and will be heard in national songs and then the announcement was made. "You are listening to
Radio Pakistan and now Pakistan has been established".

Numerical Growth
• Three radio stations were working in Pakistan since its establishment from Lahore, Peshawar
and Dhaka.
• Peshawar radio station power was 10KW.
• Lahore radio station power was 5 kilo Watt.
• Dhaka radio station power was 5 kilo Watt.
• Total radio station power was 20KW.
• The number of radio stations significantly increased over the years. From just a handful of
stations at the beginning, Radio Pakistan expanded to over 30 stations across the country by
the early 21st century.

From Radio Pakistan to Pakistan broadcasting co-operation

•The broadcasting sector in Pakistan has seen considerable growth, geographical expansion,
and technological advancements since the inception of Radio Pakistan in 1947. This evolution
can be broken down into several phases, moving from the era of Radio Pakistan to the broader
landscape under the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) and beyond, into private
broadcasting and digital transformation. It's important to note that the specifics and statistics
provided might need updates as new data becomes available.

Geographical Expansion
The expansion covered almost all major cities and many rural areas, ensuring national coverage
and reaching remote communities.
Transformation into Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation
1972: Radio Pakistan was rebranded as Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, a move that
signified the broadening of its scope beyond just radio to include other forms of broadcasting.

Technological Leap
The PBC introduced FM broadcasting in the 1990s, enhancing the quality of sound and
increasing its reach.

b.Golden era of radio broadcasting in Pakistan (1955-1970)

Introduction to the Golden Era

- Timeframe: 1955-1970
- Significance: Expansion, Innovation, National Identity
1955-1960 Establishment and Expansion
- National broadcaster post-partition
- Infrastructure growth: New stations nationwide
1960-1965 Golden Age of Content
- Diverse programming: News, dramas, music, education, religion
- Popularity of radio dramas and music
- Bridging cultural gaps: East and West Pakistan
1965-1970 National Unity and Identity
- Role during 1965 Indo-Pak War: Unity and morale
- Fostering national identity: Cultural diversity, shared values
- Technological advancements: FM radio introduction
Impact and Legacy
- Shaping public opinion and culture
- Dialogue, education, and political coverage platform
- Contribution to Pakistan's cultural and social fabric

c.Shifting Listenership Patterns in Pakistani Broadcasting (1947-1995)

Introduction:
History of broadcasting in Pakistan from 1947 to 1995, with a particular focus on the shift in
listenership patterns from urban to rural areas.During this period, radio played a crucial role in
informing, educating, and entertaining the Pakistani people.We will examine the factors that
contributed to this shift and its implications for Pakistani society.
Radio broadcasting began in Pakistan in 1947 with the launch of Radio Pakistan.
Initially, radio stations were concentrated in major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Dhaka.
Programming was primarily urban-centric, catering to the tastes and interests of city dwellers.
Following the partition of British India in 1947, Pakistan established its own national
broadcasting service, Radio Pakistan. In the early years, radio stations were mainly located in
big cities, and the content reflected the lifestyle and preferences of urban audiences. This was
because radio infrastructure was concentrated in urban areas, and content creators were also
mostly situated in cities.
 FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE SHIFT IN LISTENERSHIP
1. Expansion of radio infrastructure:
The government invested in expanding radio coverage to rural areas throughout the 1950s and
1960s. This made radio more accessible to rural audiences.
2. Increase in rural electrification:
As electrification increased in rural areas, more people were able to afford radios and listen to
broadcasts regularly.
3. Rise of rural-focused programming:
Radio Pakistan gradually began to produce programs that catered to the interests of rural
listeners. This included programs on agriculture, education, and rural development.
4. Affordability of transistor radios:
The introduction of transistor radios in the 1960s made radio more portable and affordable,
further increasing listenership in rural areas.

IMPACT OF THE SHIFT IN LISTENERSHIP

1. Radio emerged as a powerful tool for communication and development in rural areas.
2. It provided rural communities with access to information, education, and entertainment.
3. Radio broadcasts helped to promote national unity and integration.
4. It also played a role in raising awareness about social issues and government programs.

CONCLUSION
The shift in listenership patterns from urban to rural areas highlights the evolving role of radio in
Pakistan.Radio continues to be an important source of information and entertainment for
millions of Pakistanis, both in urban and rural areas.

d.Pakistan Enters Into Frequency Modulated Era Beginning Of FM 100

FM 100 was the first commerical radio station of Pakistan. It was established in 1994 and finally
started transmission from 23, March 1995.
When radio started to gain its popularity, it was a necessity to provide better experience to the
audience hence the need of converting AM (amplityd modulation) which covered large area with
distorted voice to FM (frequency modulation) which covered limited area but with better voice
quality.

Earlier, there were no in cars radios or radios in phone so launching FM was tough that's why in
the beginning FM 100 started broadcasting in main three big cities i.e, Lahore, Karachi and
Islamabad but as people started to get fond of radio more and more, radios in phone, cars and
public transports were installed and FM 100 started broadcasting in different cities
Currently they broadcast in 9 cities.
It's slogan is "assalamualaikum Pakistan"
It covers national/international days coverage, kids show, talk shows, azaan, fashion related
shows but the main focus since it's beginning has been promoting Pakistani music among
youngsters
e. PEMRA and Deregulation of Radio Broadcasting in Pakistan

Deregulation:
The removal of regulations or restrictions especially in a particular industry

The Beginning of Deregulation (1994-1995)

•The year 1994 marked a turning point. This is when deregulation of the airwaves began in
Pakistan.
•The government issued a permission for the country's first private radio station, FM100.
•FM100 commenced operations in 1995, signifying the introduction of independent radio
broadcasting in Pakistan.

The Deregulation Debate:

•There are ongoing discussions about deregulating the radio broadcasting sector in Pakistan.
•Potential benefits of deregulation include:
•Increased competition, leading to a wider variety of programming choices for listeners.
•Lower barriers to entry, allowing for more diverse voices and niche stations.
•Greater freedom of expression for broadcasters.
•Concerns about deregulation include:
•Potential for a decline in broadcast quality and content standards.
• Increased risk of hate speech and inflammatory content.
•Concentration of ownership in the hands of a few powerful entities.

PEMRA:
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) is currently the main body responsible
for regulating radio broadcasting in Pakistan. This means there isn't complete deregulation, but
PEMRA's role can be seen as both a facilitator and a regulator.

Role of PEMRA
1. Licensing:
PEMRA issues licenses for radio stations to operate, ensuring they meet certain standards.
PEMRA holds the exclusive right to issue licenses for radio stations. This creates a barrier to
entry, requiring aspiring broadcasters to meet PEMRA's standards for ownership, technical
capabilities, and programming content
The licensing process can be complex, involving application fees, background checks, and
adherence to specific program quotas (e.g., percentage of educational or cultural content).

2. Content Regulation:
PEMRA enforces content codes to ensure responsible broadcasting. These codes address
issues like:
* Hate speech and incitement to violence
* Obscenity and indecency.
* Defamation and libel.
* Content deemed offensive to religious or social sensibilities.
PEMRA has the authority to:
* Issue warnings to stations violating the codes.
* Impose fines.
* Suspend or revoke licenses in severe cases.

Impact of Regulation:
• Proponents of PEMRA's role argue that it prevents the spread of misinformation, hate speech,
and content harmful to public morals.
•Critics argue that regulations stifle creativity, limit diversity of viewpoints, and give PEMRA
undue control over content.
Current Situation:
•As of today, PEMRA maintains its regulatory role in radio broadcasting.
•The future of deregulation hinges on debates about balancing freedom of expression with
maintaining responsible broadcasting practices.

f. FM Radio's Revival of Radio Listenership in the country

Background: Once a primary source of information, radio has regained popularity with the
advent of FM broadcasting.
Impact: FM radio has had a significant cultural, political, and social impact on the youth and
wider society.

Digital Integration
Online Streaming: FM stations now stream content online, broadening their reach.
Mobile Apps: Dedicated apps for smartphones have made radio more accessible.

Social Media Engagement: Active engagement with audiences on social platforms has attracted
a younger demographic.

Interactive Programs
Listener Participation: Programs encourage interaction via calls, SMS, and social media.

Engaging Content: Focus on community issues, entertainment, and education keeps the
audience engaged.

Affordability: Low cost of radios makes them accessible to a broad audience.

Wide Reach: FM signals reach remote areas, ensuring widespread access to information and
entertainment.

Conclusion
Revitalization of Radio: FM radio's adaptability, focus on local content, and accessibility have led
to a resurgence in listenership in Pakistan.