Tharparker Famine 2014: Comparative Analysis of Pakistan’s English and Urdu Media Coverage

This paper examines print media coverage of Tharparker Famine 2014 occurred in the Sindh province of Pakistan. The research observes the magnitude and patterns of media coverage in the wake of famine. It explores extensively the discourse of famine in English and Urdu media. Moreover, it entails the issues highlighted or overlooked in this regard. For this purpose, four widely circulated newspapers of Pakistan were selected and content analysis of news reports and editorials was conducted. Unlike many other natural disasters, famine is largely considered to be a predictable catastrophe that retains predisaster period. This study examines the coverage by media in pre and post-famine periods. Findings revealed that Urdu language media gave more coverage to the famine as compared to English language media. It was also found that both English and Urdu language media did not give any coverage to pre-famine phase and remained focused on post-famine period. Pakistan Vision Vol. 16 No. 2 56