MEDIA AS THE FOURTH PILLAR OF STATE The revival and reinvigoration of "media " in every domain, primarily after 9/11 has changed the course of information landscape in Pakistan . The evolution of media,that commenced in 2002 ,with merely one TV channel and radio station has now climbed to nearly 100 TV channels and 145 radio stations respectively. Moreover,the proliferation of news channels ( 42 Tv channels) that are telecasting 24/7 speaks volume about the growth , expansion and strength of electronic media . In addition to information ,entertainment and education, today's media industry also serves the function of an opinion maker that is shaping ideas and framing the political discourse of Pakistan. Over the past decade ,media has played an influential role in this respect, as manifested notably in the lawyer's movement to restore judiciary,the Lal-Masjid and the recent Dharna . Considering the respective increasing role ,it can be safely stated that media has become an influential stakeholder as well as the fourth pillar of state. Traditionally, "Democracy " is based on three pillars that is ," legislative " ,"executive " and "judiciary " ,but "media " is now considered as the fourth pillar of state . The increased and instrumental role of media as the fourth pillar of state,can be attributed to the fragile writ of government and a lack of consensus of the state institutions over matters of utmost national interest. This lack of consensus and coordination ,for instance can be observed in the shape of civil-military split over the inconclusive and failed peace talks with Taliban held last year.Moreover, the Islamabad "Dharna " marked by street power and "GoNawaz Go "slogan ,that prolonged for more than 100 days clearly demonstrates the challenged posed to the writ of government . In other words, the three pillars of democracy have lost their credibility due to the the public perception that have rendered them as mere toothless and ineffectual:The legislature is accused of passing laws that are routinely breeched and accustomed to serve vested interests. The executive and judiciary ,on the other hand have been politicized and criticized to the extent that they have lost their will to take decisions . The machinery to implement decisions,is therefore rusted and the mutual coordination between these three pillars,as a result is non-existent . The inherent weaknesses of the state institutions ,thus allowed the "media" to play its role as an investigator,prosecutor and judge as well. The booming electronic ,print and social media in particular therefore functions to fill and bridge the gap between government and public . It not only creates awareness on important social,political and economic problems but function as a watchdog , with regard to misgovernance and policies pursued by the government. The tragic and terrible stories of corruption and misgovernance in Sindh province,for instance can be cited here . The negligence ,mishandling and mismanagement that led to the deaths of, more than 500 children in Tharparkar is being highlighted to the extent that the government machinery ,from executive to judiciary came into action. Consequently, the inquiry commission report to probe negligence found "starvation" ,not as the major cause of Thar fatalities and held the Sindh ministry of health responsible and accountable in this regard.A recent manifestation of media's role as an investigator can be observed ,with regard to the identification and disclosure of corrupt politicians who are involved in economic terrorism.Doctor Shahid Masood , a prominent news anchor and analyst recently investigated and uncovered the names of sitting government officials (Sindh),who are directly involved in the "china-cutting " corruption case in particular . Furthermore, Raoof Clasra,a prominent investigative generalist reveal and uncover the stories of incompetence,corruption and misgovernance of politicians and national institutions . The media , therefore serves the role of accountability and making people aware of the rights and duties in relation to the state. In conclusion, it can be safely stated that media is the fourth pillar of state but media that is going through the evolution phase should be made accountable under the specified rules and regulations of PAMRA respectively. The media industry cannot be spared on the assumption that it's new and just going through a phase of evolution.