Modernising Journalists’ Trade Unions in Pakistan for the Digital Age A Mapping of Challenges, Needs, and Solutions 4. Key Challenges of Journalists’ Unions There are numerous obstacles that journalists’ unions in Pakistan encounter, which significantly impede their ability to advocate for the rights and welfare of member media workers. These challenges are the result of a precarious environment that is created by a combination of internal and external factors that affect journalists and their unions. These factors are discussed below. 4.1. Internal Challenges 4.1.1. Reluctance to Adapt to an Evolving Media Landscape One of the primary obstacles encountered by the media industry, particularly the journalists’ unions, is their inability to adjust to the changing contemporary media landscape. Unions must evolve in response to the digital media landscape’s progressive development, particularly among media workers. This lack of adaptability stems due to various reasons. Firstly, there is a level of mistrust towards digital media journalists(who are increasing in numbers) among the more senior journalists(who tend to come from conventional mediums like TV and print). This is primarily due to the unregulated nature of digital platforms and, by extension, digital media journalists. There is no proper check and balance on whether digital media journalists are adhering to proper journalistic ethics hence they are often frowned upon as“maybe not journalists yet”. This leads to a growing trust deficit among members, leading to a hesitation towards allowing them to become part of the unions. During the course of the KIIs many of experts consulted reflected this view. Fauzia Shahid , former Vice President of PFUJ, said,“As for including digital journalists in our unions, there’s reluctance due to concerns about their ethics. Digital media platforms often act as mouthpieces for political parties. Before considering them for membership, they must be trained in journalistic standards and start practicing ethical journalism. Without that, they aren’t suitable for membership. We’ll eventually need to amend the constitution to include both electronic and digital journalists, but their inclusion depends on how well they follow journalistic ethics.” 15