Modernising Journalists’ Trade Unions in Pakistan for the Digital Age A Mapping of Challenges, Needs, and Solutions 2. Role of Journalist Unions in Pakistan The impact of these traditionally active and assertive unions on the overall labour rights movement in Pakistan has been significant. They have been instrumental in raising awareness about the precarious conditions generally faced by media workers, including issues related to job security, fair wages, and workplace safety. 5 (Aslam, R.2015.) Various PFUJ factions have organised protests and campaigns to demand better working conditions and to highlight the dangers journalists face, particularly in conflict zones where they are often targeted by militant groups. 6 (Baloch, and Andresen, 2020) By mobilising journalists and leveraging their collective power, these unions have occasionally been able to negotiate better terms for their members and advocate for legal protections against violence and harassment. The role of journalists’ unions in the labor movement of Pakistan has been significant, particularly through the efforts of the various factions of PFUJ and their affiliated regional unions. The original PFUJ and its subsequent breakaway factions have historically advocated for the rights and safety of journalists, striving to improve working conditions and ensure fair wages. This includes fighting against media owners’ exploitation and demanding adherence to labour laws, such as the Wage Award, which mandates minimum salary standards for journalists. Unions have engaged in collective bargaining to negotiate better terms for journalists, addressing issues like job security, health benefits, and workplace safety. The PFUJ factions have variously organised protests and sit-ins to pressure media owners to fulfill their obligations under labour laws. Moreover, the unions have also played a pivotal role in influencing public policies related to media and labor rights. Their advocacy efforts have, in general, led to increased recognition of the rights of journalists and media workers within the broader labour rights movement in Pakistan. 7 (Alam and 5. Media, politics and the threats to journalists in Pakistan May 1, 2015 https://search.informit.org/ doi/abs/10.3316/INFORMIT.244710941949672 6. Reporting in Conflict Zones in Pakistan: Risks and Challenges for Fixers February 25,2020 https:// www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/2514 7. Influence of Electronic Media on Public Policies and Narratives in Pakistan Post-2005(2021) http:// sajms.iurc.edu.pk/issues/2021b/SAJMS150207.pdf 5