Globalization has led to changes in the content of media outlets during the last three decades. In Pakistan, Lahore news gets far less coverage in both electronic and print media than international news. The trend of featuring pictures of international celebrities in newspapers has resulted in the neglect of local news all over the world. Today, events in one part of the world may have far-reaching impacts in other parts of the world. A terrorist incident in an oil-rich country can jeopardize international oil trade, fuelling an industrial crisis that may render many individuals jobless in different countries.
Moreover, the advent of the internet and ensuing social media addiction made citizens more concerned about the lifestyles of international celebrities. All these reasons added pace to the internationalization of the media industry. Newspapers started allocating more space to international news than city based local news. The decline of local news resulted in the closure of small city specific newspapers.
The importance of local news cannot be downplayed as it impacts the populace of a region directly. Loss of local news has added to the misery of the common man. News of injustice, street crimes, poor municipal service delivery which affects laypersons in society remains largely unreported.
The following points assert that despite globalization and resulting internationalization of media, city news holds more importance for the populace than international developments.
Overlooking local news can be disastrous
During calamities and untoward incidents, local news coverage proves crucial in minimizing damages. As media covers an unfortunate incident live, it helps people stay safe. Live coverage of a terrorist attack, bomb blast, or a natural calamity in a rural area helps many individuals stay away from the affected region as they learn about the incident. Thus, overlooking local news and prioritizing international developments can prove to be disastrous.
Lahore news became more important during Covid-19
During Covid-19 city-centric news reporting help the masses stay updated about the situation of Covid-19 in their city. People could easily know which areas of Lahore are strongly hit by the contagion through the news. Moreover, local government and city administration were able to inform the masses about necessary precautions through media. Local news reporters in Lahore helped people learn which areas of the city are under lockdown.
Local news reporting improves municipal service delivery
Local news reporting also helps improve municipal service delivery in underprivileged areas of the city. If in any area of a Lahore Waste Management and Sewerage System is poor, channels like City 42 make it headline news. This ultimately compels the government to take action and improve the situation. Citizens appreciate local Lahore news reporting as it goes a long way in improving municipal services in their areas.
Local News Reporters: True voice of masses
Big businessmen and elite factions of society remain concerned about international trade, the business environment in other countries, and the holiday schedule of celebrities. On the contrary, a huge chunk of the population in Lahore find such news irrelevant to their interests. There are more concerned about street crimes, the debilitating condition of roads in their locality, and the soaring prices of grocery items.
In this regard, news shows that focus on local issues present the true voice of the masses. Lahore specific news channels broadcast shows where laypersons get the opportunity to hold the mike and categorically state the issues faced by them. One good example of such a news program is “Banam Sarkar” telecasted by City 42.
In a nutshell, the internationalization of news has led to the decline of Lahore news. A microscopic minority in the city may take interest in international news but the vast majority of the masses find it irrelevant. Many residents would think it a sheer waste of time to read international news. People take more interest in Lahore city news because local developments have a direct impact on their prosperity and well-being.