Licensed to Learn: A Case of TV and Radio Channels in Pakistani Universities

Abstract

Physical infrastructure for education is harder to lay out in Pakistan but PEMRA is doing well to issue licences to universities to set up TVs and radios to promote education. Pakistan is the second country after United Kingdom that established an Open University in 1974, which started its radio in 80s and Television in 90s for its distant learning system spread across the country. HEC is running a TV channel to update its member universities on latest developments. It serves as a bridge between national and international students, and education and research bodies. This paper has shed light on the programs broadcast by Pakistani universities and higher educational institutes and role of PEMRA in this job by issuing licences to establish campus radio and Television channels for supplementing and uplifting quality of the formal education in the country. The findings of the study show that 81% transmission of FM radio stations have been meant for entertainment purposes while only 19% has aimed for educational purposes. Television production houses in these universities produced or arranged 17 sessions for TV trainings. The results show that these campus radio and TV Production Houses have not fulfilled their specified role to boost higher education and community awareness through their transmission.