Importance

Sindhi-language media has been said to cover issues ignored by the mainstream

Urdu Urdu (;"Urdu"
'' Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 243 million people, and has the world's second-lar ...

; because Urdu media is the national transmission media, it gives coverage entirely to national issues beside focusing on global and international matters. The government, recognising the importance of Sindhi media, decided to establish the Sindhi Media House in

Karachi Karachi (; ur, ; ; ) is the most populous city in Pakistan and 12th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 20 million. It is situated at the southern tip of the country along the Arabian Sea coast. It is the former c ...

. The

Habib University Habib University (HU) ( ur, ) is a private liberal arts university located in Karachi, Pakistan. Funded by the House of Habib, the Habib University Foundation was established in 2010, and was chartered in 2012 as an independent university. B ...

began teaching students Sindhi through

Sindhi music Music from Sindh (), is sung and is generally performed in either the "Baits" or "Waee" styles. The Baits style is vocal music in Sanhoon (low voice) or Graham (high voice). Waee instrumental music is performed in a variety of ways using a s ...

and

literature Literature is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry. In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include ...

Print media

The Sindhi language has long been used for communication. Sindhi printing began in 1848 and the first printed Sindhi book was published in 1858. Although 1836 is the earliest recorded date of printing, some facts show that it existed before then as well.

Newspapers

Newspapers A newspaper is a periodical publication containing written information about current events and is often typed in black ink with a white or gray background. Newspapers can cover a wide variety of fields such as politics, business, sports ...

constitute a major part of

print media Mass media refers to a diverse array of media technologies that reach a large audience via mass communication. The technologies through which this communication takes place include a variety of outlets. Broadcast media transmit informatio ...

. Sindhi newspapers also developed as a result of

Sindhi nationalism Sindhi nationalism also known as Sindhi Nationalist Movement ( Sindhi: سنڌي قومپرستي يا سنڌي قومي تحريڪ) was launched in the 1972 to separate Sindh from Pakistan. After Bangladesh became independent in 1971, G.M. Syed g ...

, specifically. There are a number of Sindhi-language newspapers, reflecting readers' interests. The most famous newspapers include ''

Daily Kawish ''Daily Kawish'' is a Sindhi-language daily newspaper in Pakistan. History The newspaper was founded in 1990 and is part of the Kawish Group of Publication. Muhammad Aslam Kazi is the newspaper's founder. It is the only newspaper that is publis ...

'', ''

Daily Awami Awaz ''Awami Awaz'' ( sd, روزاني عوامي آواز) is a Sindhi daily newspaper and news TV channel in Pakistan. Its published from Karachi Karachi (; ur, ; ; ) is the most populous city in Pakistan and 12th most populous city in th ...

'', ''

Daily Ibrat Daily or The Daily may refer to: Journalism * Daily newspaper, newspaper issued on five to seven day of most weeks * ''The Daily'' (podcast), a podcast by ''The New York Times'' * ''The Daily'' (News Corporation), a defunct US-based iPad new ...

'', ''Daily Nijat'', ''Daily Sobh'', ''Pehnji Akhbar'', and ''Koshish''. The Sindhi-language media took an active part in the One Unit movement of 1954 in Pakistan; among those newspapers ''Al-Waheed'', ''Daily Karvan'' and ''Daily Nayi Sindh'' were sanctioned. ''Nawa-e-Sindh'' was the only newspaper which favoured the One Unit.

Magazines

Sindhi magazines have also been a very popular medium among their readers. Not too many magazines are found in this language. All sorts of magazines including general interest, educational, and fashion are available in the language. Special children's editions are also published. ''Mehran'' is a popular magazine; others include '' Waskaro'', ''

Laat ''Laat'' (Sindhi language, Sindhi لاٽ) is a children's magazine in Sindhi language, Sindhi published by Mehran Publication Hyderabad, Sindh. It started in 1988 and got immediate attention of Sindhi children. It was founded by Altaf Malkani and ...

'', and ''

Gul Phul ''Gul Phul'' ( Sindhi گل ڦل) is a children's magazine in Sindhi published by Sindhi Adabi Board. History and profile ''Gul Phul'' was started in 1959 and enjoys the status of being the first and oldest children's magazine in Sindhi. The ma ...

''. Aarsee After separation from ''Awami Awaz'', renowned journalist Sohail Sangi launched

Weekly Aarsee Weekly, The Weekly, or variations, may refer to: News media * ''Weekly'' (news magazine), an English-language national news magazine published in Mauritius *Weekly newspaper, any newspaper published on a weekly schedule *Alternative newspaper, als ...

(The Mirror) Sindhi magazine from

. It was the first news magazine in Sindhi. It became so popular that English magazine '' Newsline'' carried a story on this new experience in Sindhi journalism. The team included Ajiz Jamali, Zahid Mirani, Rahim Bux Burq and Riaz Sohail. Due to its bold stand and financial constraints, publication was closed down. Other magazines include ''Kesooba Magazine'' and ''Affair News Magazine''.

Electronic media

History

Sindhi electronic media does not have a long history. It started in the 1970s when initially 25 minutes were given by

Pakistan Television Pakistan Television Corporation ( ur, ; reporting name: PTV) is the Pakistani state-owned broadcaster. Pakistan entered the television broadcasting age in 1964, with a pilot television station established at Lahore. Background Historical co ...

for programmes in regional languages in their respective provinces. For many years, the provincial languages were given 25-minute time slots early in the evening, much earlier than prime time.

PTV National PTV National HD is a Pakistani free-to-air television channel owned by the Pakistan Television Corporation Pakistan Television Corporation ( ur, ; reporting name: PTV) is the Pakistani state-owned broadcaster. Pakistan entered the telev ...

broke the tradition of regional languages being given a few hours each – private channels came and changed the entire milieu. KTN was the first private channel in Sindhi, followed by

Sindh TV Sindh TV (trademarked Sindh TV) or Sindh Television is a Sindhi-based satellite television channel. The channel promotes "culture, sufism and affection for the Sindhi language" airing a wide variety of programs, such as a morning show, infotainme ...

Dharti TV ''Dharti TV'' ( sd, ڌرتي ٺي وي, ur, ) Television Network (Dharti TV) is the first private TV channel. This Channel is general entertainment Channel which covers Dramas, News, Music and Current Affairs. Fazul Samejo, is the chief repor ...

, Mehran TV,

KTN News Kawish Television Network (KTN) is the first private Sindhi TV channel in Pakistan. It is the most-watched private Sindhi-language general entertainment television channel worldwide. The channel is part of the Kawish Group. History The channel ...

, Sindh TV News, Awaz TV and music channel Kashish.

Radio channels

There are many FM radio channels which air programs in the Sindhi language. The Radio Voice of Sindh is based in London and features news and music. Radio Sindhi is run by the

Sindhi diaspora The Sindhi diaspora mainly refers to the descendants of ethnic Sindhi people who emigrated from the historical Sind province of British India before the Independence of Pakistan, these people are not a part of Pakistani diaspora as they emigrat ...

scattered around the world.

Available channels

KTN started in September 2002 by the owners of

. It soon became one of the leading private channels.

was launched in October 2004. Another channel named Kashish was started as a part of KTN network, and is basically a music channel which telecasts music videos round the clock. The existence of Kashish has made investors focus on more specified fields in this language. These channels do not outsource programming to private production companies and prefer self-production, which they deem much cheaper.

Available programming

As soon as specific channels started, a variety of programs have been telecast in the language. They possess a complete range of programs including news, talk shows, religious programs, dramas, songs and many more. Special programs for children are also presented. Most dramas are based on the routine life of the people. They usually portray the lives of the Sindhi people, especially those who are living in the interior. On

Kawish Television Network Kawish Television Network (KTN) is the first private Sindhi TV channel in Pakistan. It is the most-watched private Sindhi-language general entertainment television channel worldwide. The channel is part of the Kawish Group. History The channel ...

(KTN TV) a number of dramas including , , , , , ''Fasla'', ''Wanodni'' and talk shows like ''Diyo'' and ''Music on Demand'' (musical program) are telecasted. It is a 24-hour channel; in the evening new episodes are presented whereas the afternoon features re-telecast programs. Currently a show titled ''

Kuch Reh Jeewiyal Pall ''Kuch Reh Jeewiyal Pall'' is a popular Indian drama-series aired on DD National, which was later dubbed in Sindhi. It set records of popularity and TRPs (Television Rating Points) in Pakistan, which were broken by '' Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu ...

'' has become popular. It is an Indian show dubbed in Sindhi and its popularity shows the enjoyment of high-quality Indian-made television content. It completed 100 episodes on Friday 4 May 2007. ''Zalim'', ''jar'', and are popular dramas on

. ''Public Demand'' and ''Your Choice'' are favourite musical programs. As the 1990s were a booming period in Urdu-language music, now in the same way many new singers with Sindhi songs are coming up. , ''What do you know'', ''Your choice'', and ''Popat post man'' are the names of some of the programs telecast on Kashish. One advantage of the Sindhi channels is that a large number of new talents have found opportunities to express themselves better. Some Sindhi artists who have earned fame in Urdu-language media are also appreciated.

Social media

Sindhi

social media Social media are interactive media technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks. While challenges to the definition of ''social medi ...

has evolved in recent decades and gives a voice to whose voice is unheard or ignored by other types of media. Various social sites are used such as Facebook, Twitter, as well as (), a digital media magazine in Sindhi, and Mokhi Media the first Sindhi broadcasting and media production company.

References

* ''In Asia and the Pacific the community press is alive'' by CAPPI * ''Sahafti Safar by Dr. Dad Khadim Barohi in 2004'' by District Union of Journalism Press Club Jacobabad * ''The Sindhi Press in Pakistan'' by Shahida Mirza {{Sindh topics Mass media in Pakistan Mass media in Sindh Sindhi-language newspapers