CHALLENGES TO PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISM IN THE DIGITAL AGE: THE RISE OF CITIZEN NEWS REPORTING IN MALAKAND DIVISION, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study investigates the perception of Malakand Division's social media journalism effects on professional journalism practices. Data collected using structured interviews with 59 working journalists of four press clubs including Swat, Chakdara, Timergara and Batkhela Malakand. The study disclosed that due to the usage of multimedia, audience interaction, attention-getting strategies, and speedy reporting techniques had all been greatly impacted professional journalism by the social media journalism. Professional journalists rely more on traditional media channels, whereas social media journalists use digital platforms and news generated by citizens. While the majority of respondents believed that social media had damaged the reputation of professional journalism, while professional journalists recommended that laws and ethics-related training is necessary to ensure good and professional journalism by social media journalists.