Modernising Journalists’ Trade Unions in Pakistan for the Digital Age A Mapping of Challenges, Needs, and Solutions strong unions in other sectors to foster interaction between their leaders and members and ours, helping everyone learn new methods for achieving goals.” Naqvi says the community can also bring in industry trainers to educate members and leaders about labour laws.“Often, people join a union because they were asked, without understanding what a media trade union does for its workers, or what the union’s constitution and responsibilities are. Such members increase the headcount but do not become productive members. Therefore, there is a need for continuous capacity building of union members. They should be engaged through regular campaigns and communication, not just limited to election periods, she adds.” Shahzada Zulfiqar , former member of PFUJ-Afzal Butt faction and member of its Federal Executive Council says,“I believe the primary need is for capacity building, both for leaders and members, in new technologies. Journalism is not an easy profession, and anyone pursuing it must focus on the demands of the field. No one can take responsibility for a journalist’s actions in the field; they must be fully aware of all safety protocols.” Fouzia Kalsoom Rana from Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists(RIUJ) and co-founder of Women Journalists’ Association(WJA) says,“Conducting regular audits and capacity building of members and leaders can also help. Encouraging new ideas is also very important to adapt to modernisation.” 4.1.4. Lack of Transparency and Increasing Trust Deficit The decline in membership within larger journalists’ unions in Pakistan and emergence of newer factions is significantly attributed to a growing trust deficit among members, stemming from a lack of formal structures that promote transparency. The current organisational frameworks fail to provide clarity on critical issues such as data collection, fee utilization, voter lists, election processes, and policy changes. This absence of transparency not only alienates existing members but also deters potential new members from joining, further exacerbating the unions’ challenges in maintaining a robust membership base. Dr Touseef Ahmed , a member of the Sindh Commission on Safety of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners, says“I would reiterate that the notion of union unity is a misconception because any leader that comes into power develops passive interests. The government tends to offer something 18