REVIVAL OF RADIO IN PAKISTAN: CULTURAL, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF FM RADIO ON THE YOUTH Ph.D Thesis Researcher Supervisor Muhammad Umair Chaudhary Dr. Sajjad Ahmad Paracha Reg. No. 29/IU.Ph.D/2012 Session 2012-2015 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Media Studies from The Islamia University of Bahawalpur,Pakistan In the name of Allah The most Beneficent and The Most Merciful DECLARATION I, Muhammad Umair Chaudhary, Ph.D scholar in the Department of Media Studies at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur do solemnly declare that the thesis entitled, “Revival of Radio in Pakistan: Cultural, Political and Social Impact of FM Radio on the Youth” submitted by me in partial fulfillment of the requirement of Ph.D in the subject of Media Studies is my original work. It shall also not be submitted to obtain any degree to any other university or institution. Researcher Muhammad Umair Chaudhary FORWARDING CERTIFICATE The research entitled “Revival of Radio in Pakistan: Cultural, Political and Social Impact of FM Radio on the Youth” by Muhammad Umair Chaudhary in the partial fulfillment of the requirement, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Media Studies, under my guidance and supervision, is forwarded for further necessary action. Dr. Sajjad Ahmad Paracha Supervisor CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL It is certified that this Ph.D thesis of Mr. Muhammad Umair Chaudhary titled “Revival of radio in Pakistan: Cultural, Political and Social impact of FM radio on the youth” has been approved by the Examining Committee for the requirement of Ph.D in Media Studies. Thesis Viva-Voce Examiners Chairman: ___________________ Internal Examiner: ___________________ External Examiner 1: ___________________ External Examiner 2: ___________________ “Revival of radio in Pakistan: Cultural, Political and Social impact of FM radio on the youth” Dedicated to “My sweet Parents & My all loving Family members” To achieve this milestone and behind my success, their Love, Care, Encouragement, Support, Motivation and above all, their prayers were the major source. LIST OF ACRONYMS Acronyms Abbreviation AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AM Amplitude Modulation BBC British Broadcasting Company CD Compact Disk CDA Capital Development Authority, Islamabad DAB Digital Audio Broadcasting DJ Disk Jockey FCC Federal Communications Commission FM Frequency Modulation HDTV High Definition Television Vision HEC Higher Education Commission HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus Hz Hertz ISPR Inter Services Public Relation KHz Kilo Hertz MHz Mega Hertz MW Medium Wave NBC National Broadcast Company NBS National Broadcasting Service NTM Network Television Marketing PBC Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation PEMRA Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority PR Public Relations PTV Pakistan Television RCA Radio Corporation of America RJ Radio Jockey SM Short Wave SMS Short Messaging Service STN Shaeen Television Network i ABSTRACT Many years back when television was just a dream, people used radio as an effective mode for communication and learning. In mid-20’s, with the advent of radio, man truly has stepped further into the revolutionary world. Radio is a very popular mode of media in our country. It has various important reasons i.e. easily accessible, cheaper and also used for entertainment and education purpose for common masses. In Pakistan, besides radio Pakistan, many commercial and noncommercial FM radios are also working. Mostly, FM commercial radios are considered as entertainment channels which air musical and entertainment stuff. On the other hand, noncommercial (campus radios) are working in different sectors, mainly in educational institutes as well as in some public sector departments. These FM radios are very effectively conveying information and education. FM community based radios are being used as a very effective, valuable, useful and result oriented educational tool all over the world. Many developed countries have used radio medium as a tool for distance education to the masses particularly to educate and address the people living in remote areas. In many countries of Africa and Asia, radio medium has been used as a tool of social change. Radio broadcasting has been used to address public issues, promotion of social and community awareness. The results of the research depicts that radio industry has revived after emergence of FM radios in Pakistan. FM radio has positive impact on its listeners and FM radio programs are impacting culturally, politically and socially on values of our youth. Furthermore, results of study also reveal that improvement is still required in FM broadcast so as to fully utilize potential of this useful medium in highlighting different cultural, political and social issues, keeping in view of the fact that the most affiliated group of society with FM radios is our youth. In Pakistan, radio medium deserves greater attention. Community radios are essentially required especially to address issues of rural and isolated communities. Government should learn from other part of world where radio is very effectively being used to approach the masses for awareness, education and information. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First of all, I would like to thank Almighty Allah, for giving me strength, potential, courage and opportunity to complete this research work with continuous personal obligations. During the study, whenever I have lost heart and my will to complete the research work was broken, something pushed me up from within and this was nothing but the blessings of Almighty Allah and prayers of my parents, family members, friends and all other well wishers. I am very lucky to have worthy Dr. Sajjad Ahmad Paracha, Chairman/ Associate Professor, Department of Media Studies, The Islamia University Bahawalpur, as my supervisor. Simply speaking this study has only been completed owing to his perfect guidance, experience and global exposure of Media Studies. If he had not been there for guidance and supervision, it might be very difficult for me to complete this research work as I may not have even a slightest idea of what a research for Ph.D is about. His kind involvement gave me the knowledge and strength that will benefit me during my whole life. I thank him for the kindness towards me. I am grateful to you sir for guiding me. I am also obliged and deeply grateful to Prof. Dr. Gulam Shabbir Baloch, Chairman, Department of Media Studies, BZU, Multan for his encouragement and guidance. I would also like to appreciate the efforts and assistance provided by my Ph.D fellows Mr. Naeem Gul, Associate Professor, University of Peshawar, Mr. Abdul Ghani Leel, Lecturer, University of Gujrat, Maj.Usman Farooq, Miss Sobia Ghous, Miss Shehla Ashraf and Bilal Nawaz who have not only supported me but also shared their bright ideas, rich experience and mange to spare their valuable time for me for completion of my research work. Their biggest support came at the time of writing this thesis. I am grateful to all of them for their kindness and support. Those who supported me are numerous and I could not mention their names here due to constraints of space. But it would be an injustice to Mr. Mansoor A.Sirohey (Member MWs- South) NHA, Mr. Shuaib Khattak (GM-M4), Mr. Muhammad Nasim Arif (GM, PKM), Mr.Tariq Moosa Memon, (Director C-Z), National Highway Authority and all my relatives, friends and colleagues who have supported me during my studies and research work. iii Thanks are also due to all Field Coordinators who have helped me in collection of data particularly those who have collected data from rural areas of Sindh, Gilgit Baltistan, Punjab & Balochistan. I am thankful to my parents, my father Ch.Islam-ud-Din, who have always encouraged and helped me in my studies and guided me throughout my life. Dear father, I am grateful to you always. My beloved mother Asghari Naz, her prayers, care and love always motivated me in my life especially in studies. Love you a lot dear mother. I am thankful to my dear younger brother, Mr. Muhammad Umar Chuadhary, his wife Nida, my sisters Madeeha and Mamoona, my niece Amal Arshad & Hiba Umar and my Nephews Sadoon Rehman, Muhammad Shafy and Muhammad Ibrahim Umar Chaudhary for their love, care and support at home which helped me to concentrate on my work. Lastly, I am thankful to my dear wife Sidra for her support, care, love, dedication, and commitment with me which helped me to concentrate on my work. Last but not the least, special love for my beloved children, Zeemal Fatima, Muhmmad Hassan Umair Chaudhary & Musab bin Umair for their patience throughout my studies. The words would be short in their meanings to explain the discomfort caused to my family as well as the emotional pain, which my family went through during the course of this study. I deeply regret, however, without their support this research would not be what it is now. My extreme thanks for their unwavering support and love. Muhammad Umair Chaudhary iv CONTENTS AT A GLANCE a) Acronyms / Abbreviations b) Tables c) Figures d) Chapter No. 1 Introduction e) Chapter No. 2 History of Radio f) Chapter No. 3 Review of Literature g) Chapter No. 4 Theoretical Framework h) Chapter No. 5 Research Methodology i) Chapter No. 6 Data Analysis & Interpretation j) Chapter No. 7 Summary & Conclusion k) References v Chapter TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No. Title No. List of Acronyms i Abstract ii Acknowledgements iii Contents at glance v Table of Contents vi List of Tables xi List of Figures xiii 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Overview 1 1.2 Role of radio