A Climate of Silence: Structural Barriers to Climate Change Reporting in Pakistani Media

Abstract

Climate change reporting in Pakistan faces multiple structural, institutional, and functional constraints that limit thematic and solution-oriented coverage. This qualitative study examines the factors that shape climate change narratives in Pakistani media. To understand the underreporting of climate change events and the limited use of solution-based frames, this study applies agenda-setting, framing, and political economy theories. To examine structural and institutional barriers to climate reporting, data were collected through in-depth interviews with twelve journalists, editors, and media gatekeepers from leading media outlets, including Geo News, ARY News, Express News, and SAMA TV. Using thematic analysis, the results identify seven key themes: media organizational structure, political economy influence, financial constraints, contributory negligence, information barriers, media agenda policies, and operational issues. The findings further reveal that climate coverage is largely eventbased, with climate issues receiving attention mainly during disasters such as floods and smog. The study finds that climate journalism in Pakistan is constrained by editorial agendas, financial limitations, and weak institutional support. To address these issues, the study recommends investing in journalist training, strengthening editorial independence, improving regulatory enforcement, and ensuring greater transparency from government agencies and NGOs.