Modernising Journalists’ Trade Unions in Pakistan for the Digital Age A Mapping of Challenges, Needs, and Solutions In December 2023, the Women Media Forum Pakistan(WMFP) launched the ‘Pakistan’s Media Needs Women’ campaign, advocating for greater gender inclusivity within the media industry and press clubs. By January 2024, key stakeholders in the media industry reaffirmed their support for this campaign, committing to address core issues such as inclusivity, equal representation, and fair wages for women journalists. In conjunction, the National Press Club established a‘Women Journalists’ Caucus’ and created a working committee to develop strategies aimed at enhancing the skills and competencies of women journalists. 10 (South Asia Press Freedom Report for 2023-2024). A report produced jointly by Freedom Network and Women Journalists Association (WJA) in early 2023 revealed large gender gaps in newsroom staffing in the media organizations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. 4.2.5. Professional Journalists versus Political“Workers”: Splits in Journalists’ Unions The fundamental purpose of a union, particularly within the context of journalism, is to serve as an advocate for the rights of its members. At its essence, a union embodies a democratic institution dedicated to promoting the interests and safeguarding the rights of workers. This democratic character is manifested through the election of representatives from among the membership, ensuring that the voices of those it serves are heard and considered in decision-making processes. However, the landscape of journalistic unions in Pakistan presents significant challenges that impede the fulfillment of these core functions. A thorough examination reveals a pronounced deficiency in the democratic structures that are supposed to underpin these organisations. The environment in which these unions operate often exhibits monopolistic tendencies, where a few dominant entities exert disproportionate influence over the discourse and practices within the field. This concentration of power not only stifles dissenting voices but also undermines the very principles of representation and accountability that unions are meant to uphold. The findings from recent surveys undertaken for the purposes of this study underscore the inadequacies within the current union framework, highlighting that many essential functions—such as effective advocacy, member engagement, and equitable representation—are not being met. 10. IFJ’s South Asia Press Freedom Report for 2023-2024 https://samsn.ifj.org/SAPFR23-24/ 29