Pakistan’s media landscape is witnessing a profound change, marked by shrinking newsroom resources, job losses, tech-led changes in news consumption habits, mounting pressures on editorial independence, and risks for journalists on the ground. 
 
The question is: what can we do to better support working journalists? 
 
As a part of its outreach initiative, the IBA-CEJ team, led by Shahzeb Jillani, recently visited the Karachi Press Club to explore practical ways to respond to some of these challenges. We met the club President, Fazil Jamili, and members of the KPC governing body to identify three specific areas where the CEJ can help members of the Karachi Press Club. 
 
Training opportunities: There’s a sense that Pakistan’s media industry has not been investing in its human capital. It has been up to journalists’ unions, civil society organizations, and centers like the IBA-CEJ to try to improve professional standards. The question we explored with the KPC leadership is: what sort of skills or tools do journalists need to make the most of opportunities in digital journalism? 
 
Freelance journalists: They often lack resources to pursue their stories. The CEJ has equipment, facilities, and workspaces to help with that. We explored the potential for offering hot-desking space at IBA-CEJ City campus with access to production resources. 
 
Academic growth: The conversation also turned to the Master’s in Journalism program at IBA, as a potential career option for mid-career journalists who’d like to research and explore the evolving role of journalism globally. The 1.5-year degree is taught by experienced editors and media professionals in Pakistan and from abroad. The program offers full scholarships to deserving candidates.