Modernising Journalists’ Trade Unions in Pakistan for the Digital Age A Mapping of Challenges, Needs, and Solutions unions should engage with the government to streamline the registration process, promoting better financial management and accountability within their organisations. 7.3. Unionising in Digital Media There is a growing sense of mistrust towards digital media journalists among traditional journalists. Thus, normalising inclusion of digital media journalists among unions is seen as a difficult task. Unionising digital media journalists in Pakistan faces several challenges, primarily due to the lack of a proper legal framework that differentiates between electronic and print media. Currently, labor laws do not adequately cover digital media workers, which hinders the establishment of unions for this growing sector. To address this gap, there is a call for amendments to existing laws to include digital journalists and ensure their rights and interests are protected. Efforts are being made by organisations like PFUJ to adapt their charters and manifestos to accommodate digital media workers, but resistance persists from some union leaders who are concerned about maintaining ethical standards and accountability among new members. Furthermore, initiatives such as training programs for digital journalists and outreach efforts to engage freelancers and students are underway to strengthen union membership and relevance in the modern media landscape. Unions like the KUJ have already begun integrating laid-off journalists who transitioned to digital platforms, thereby recognising their contributions. However, for these efforts to be successful, unions must overcome internal resistance and establish clear membership criteria that reflect the evolving nature of journalism in the digital age. Collaboration with NGOs and capacity­building initiatives will be essential in modernising union structures and ensuring that both traditional and digital journalists can effectively advocate for their rights. Mazhar Abbas, adds to this point saying,“Labour laws do not apply in the same way to electronic media as to print in terms of forming unions. The issues of electronic media are raised through PEMRA, the regulatory authority. Without a proper legal framework, unions in electronic or digital media cannot be established and the government can allow this by changing laws. Unions of journalists should also enhance their efforts by providing proper training and equipping their members with the skills to utilise digital 54