To enable them to build global customers, generate sustainable income in a rapidly changing media economy
The Pakistan Freelancers Association has designed an initiative to empower journalists with freelance skills in collaboration with press clubs and associations across Pakistan, following its first capacity building session at the Karachi Press Club.
The national initiative aims to equip Pakistani journalists with in-demand freelance skills, enabling them to diversify income streams, build global clients and generate sustainable income in a rapidly changing media economy.
In this regard, PAFLA recently organized a ‘Learning and Earning Summit’ at the Karachi Press Club as part of its Empowering Journalists in the Digital World series, which saw an overwhelming participation from members of the press club.
PAFLA President Ibrahim Amin said the program is designed to help journalists translate their strengths in newsroom, research, storytelling, verification, interviewing and expertise into paid opportunities in the global digital market.
“Journalists already have the most valuable currency in the digital economy: credibility, communication and clarity,” Amin said. “Our mission is to empower Pakistani journalists with practical freelance skills so they can earn with dignity, remain independent and thrive in today’s world of work.”
“Freelancing is no longer a ‘side hustle,’ it’s a full professional ecosystem,” he said, adding, “When journalists understand platforms, pricing, portfolios and global client expectations, they don’t just survive disruption, they lead it.”
The initiative comes at a time when Pakistan’s media industry is facing challenges such as job cuts, closures and salary delays, putting intense financial pressure on journalists, producers, editors and digital teams.
Speaking on the occasion, Karachi Press Club Secretary Suhail Afzal said that journalists in Karachi are talented and have diverse skill sets, from content writing to photography and from video editing to documentary production, but members have very limited exposure to work on different freelance platforms.
The KPC body has developed a computer lab and a digital studio for its members and is now focusing on skill development through partnerships to financially empower journalists, he added. “We are open to partnerships for the development of journalists’ skills with universities, NGOs and other organizations at the local and global level,” he concluded.
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