Reimagining the News in Pakistan

APF sat down with Anam Khan, the founder of The NewsRun, a daily email newsletter that provides smart breakdowns of Pakistan's top news in a clear and contextualized format

What is The NewsRun?

The NewsRun helps Pakistanis around the world keep up with a cluttered news cycle. Each newsletter is a one-stop-shop for people who want to cut through the noise and stay informed. Subscribers only need 5 minutes or less to read the day’s biggest stories.

Why did you start The NewsRun?

I have traveled between Pakistan and the US for most of my life. Whether I was in Pakistan or living abroad, the hectic news cycle and geographic distance made it harder to keep up with Pakistani news. I started to feel disconnected from Pakistan, which is the last thing I wanted. I kept wishing someone could provide a smart breakdown of all the Pakistan-related news I needed to know. When I saw that no one else was taking the initiative to provide such a service, I decided to solve my own problem, and launched The NewsRun. Overtime, I realized that I wasn’t the only person who wanted an easier and more efficient way to follow Pakistani news.

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOU.

I have a professional background in writing, research and communications. The NewsRun is a venture that requires extensive writing, research and communications skills. I have also written op-eds for The Express Tribune, where I covered foreign affairs, domestic politics, and social justice issues.

I aspire to learn new things every day and stay informed, which is why I always saw myself working in the news industry. A graduate school internship at CNN NY motivated me to pursue a career in the media space even more. I want to make an impact by helping people stay up to date with important political, cultural and economic events.

“We highlight Pakistanis making a meaningful and positive impact with their work, so readers have a chance to feel proud of Pakistan’s talent and potential.”

— Anam Khan

What kind of stories do you feature in The NewsRun?

The NewsRun features a wide range of stories, including domestic politics, foreign relations, business news, human rights issues, the environment, Pakistan’s emerging startup landscape, and as of this year, COVID-19.

Since our subscribers are Pakistanis from around the world, we try to focus on stories that both local and international readers would be interested in learning more about. That is why The NewsRun covers local politics and international affairs related to Pakistan, plus local and international business news that ties into Pakistan. We also select stories depending on what we think people should be more informed about, such as humanitarian issues, religious controversies, sectarianism or gender discrimination. The NewsRun especially wants to underline these problems for the diaspora living abroad, so they are aware of the cultural, religious and social environment on the ground in Pakistan.

Malala Yousafzai; photo credit: United Nations

What’s your take on Pakistan’s media landscape?

Pakistan’s media landscape is cluttered. People are bombarded with information around the clock. Multiple news outlets are competing for their attention through numerous online platforms. Social media has also become a primary source of news. However, social media platforms aren’t always reliable, since people share news without providing sources or proof of authenticity.

News articles are long and dense. They tend to digress by jumping from one topic to the next, since there is so much news to cover. They also lack context and clarity. For example, people reading about a specific corruption case, political rivalry, or legislation for the first time won’t find enough background context in the news article. Writers assume readers will already know what they’re talking about. People are also getting busier with work, life and other content platforms vying for their attention. They don’t have time to read long-form articles from beginning to end, especially when articles are packed with information that is hard to digest.

TV broadcast news is overdramatic. With panelists shouting at each other, visuals crowding the screen, and 2-3 tickers moving at the same time, it’s hard to stay focused on the actual news content. Broadcast news seems geared towards entertaining viewers, rather than simply conveying news.

There is a lack of trust in the media landscape. News outlets have a reputation for taking political sides. Some are referred to as biased towards a particular political party, the military, or the government. The concept of a neutral, non-partisan news outlet is almost non-existent. Journalists are becoming more opinionated and taking overt political stances even though they should be conducting fact-based reporting.

This is where The NewsRun comes in. At The NewsRun, we cut through the clutter and deliver the most important news of the day straight to your inbox. Our daily newsletter spotlights the most important news stories from Pakistan in a clear and contextualized way.

The NewsRun strictly sticks to a non-partisan stance, and aims to keep people informed in the easiest way possible. The writing style is also casual and conversational, so the news is easy to digest. We write about the news the same way we would talk about it with someone over coffee or a quick meal. There is no other newsletter in Pakistan that provides this service for Pakistani news.

HOW ARE Pakistanis and Pakistani-Americans represented in the United States?

Pakistani American talent does not get a lot of media coverage in the US. I don’t see coverage of Pakistani American business owners, politicians, academics, artists, philanthropists or professionals. A few celebrities are exceptions. Kumail Nanjiani and Jameela Jamil are often mentioned in entertainment news. There is Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, who has made a name for herself as an award winning filmmaker, and has been recognized for her work in the US. Of course, there is also Malala Yousafzai, who is an internationally renowned Nobel Laureate and education advocate.

*Pakistan Day in Houston, Texas, 2019; Deposit Photos*

Coverage about Pakistan and Pakistanis is mostly reactionary - only after something big happens. News coverage about Pakistan often lacks nuance and sticks to a specific narrative focused on foreign relations, security and politics. Pakistan is often framed as a nuclear armed nation that is unreliable, unpredictable, unsafe, and vulnerable to militant activity. That’s why The NewsRun has a “Good Stuff” section, which features the accomplishments of regular Pakistanis around the world, as well as Pakistani celebrities. We want to highlight Pakistanis who are making a meaningful and positive impact with their work, so readers have a chance to feel proud of Pakistan’s talent and potential, even after reading back-to-back heavy news stories about Pakistan.