In the age of algorithmically curated social media, beauty standards are increasingly co-produced by platform design and AI-driven filters. This study investigates the impact of AI-powered beauty filters and recommendation systems on TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat on body image and aesthetic preferences among young women in urban Pakistan. Guided by critical media theories of algorithmic power and postcolonial beauty norms, we utilize a mixed-methods approach that combines a structured survey (N = 300) with in-depth interviews (N = 30). The quantitative survey employed validated Likert scales to measure the frequency of filter use, body dissatisfaction, awareness of digital manipulation, and preference for Eurocentric facial features. Linear regressions and moderation analysis tested three hypotheses. Results confirmed a robust positive relationship between filter use and body dissatisfaction (β = 57, p < .001, R² = 0.42) as well as a very strong link between time spent on social media and preference for Eurocentric features (β = 0.46, p < .001, R² = 0.75). Awareness of digital distortion did not significantly weaken the filter-dissatisfaction association (interaction p = .38). Interview data revealed a deep internalization of algorithmic beauty norms, showing that many women relied on filters for social validation despite recognizing their artificiality, echoing broader patterns of algorithmic visibility bias. These findings indicate that AI-curated beauty ideals can exacerbate body anxiety and colorism pressures in a Global South context. We discuss implications for media literacy, platform governance, and culturally sensitive interventions to resist the algorithmic colonization of aesthetics.

Climate change and farming malpractices (e.g., harmful pesticides use) are harmful to the globe's productive soil and biodiversity, thereby posing a hazard to the survival of future generations. Innovative technologies provide continuous smart conservation solutions, such as regenerative farming, to confront the ongoing climate crisis and maintain biodiversity. Albeit, regenerative farming has the potential to conserve climate change by upgrading the soil's organic materials and reinstating biodiversity leading to carbon attenuation. However, a critical problem remains concerning adapting conservation farming practices that can assist low-income farmers. In this scenario, theoretical-driven communication campaigns are critical for addressing individuals' resistance to innovation. Thereby, this research uncovers the moderating influence of the numerous communication tools in determining the adoption of regenerative farming through diminishing farmers' resistance to innovation. The study employed a cross-sectional design vis-à-vis a survey method. A sample of 863 farmers participated by responding to the self-administrated questionnaire. In line with prior theories, the study's results identified that communication campaigns such as public service advertisements and informative scientific documentaries could reduce the resistance to innovation that increases the attitude toward the adoption of regenerative farming with varied intensity. Besides, informational support also remained a significant contributor in determining the intention to adopt regenerative farming. This specifies that implanting habits of conservation farming requires the initiation of communication campaigns using different media content. These results may be advantageous for policymakers to influence farmers' intentions to adopt regenerative farming.

The 2022 floods in Pakistan, one of the most recent catastrophic natural disasters, highlighted critical vulnerabilities in governance, infrastructure, and climate resilience. This study investigates the framing of the floods in newspapers from the Global North and Global South. The newspapers under investigation included The Guardian, The New York Times, The Times of India, and Dawn. The study used a cross-sectional research design. Under the rubric of framing theory, utilizing quantitative content analysis, the study examines the prevalence of key frames in the press of the Global North and the Global South. The findings revealed a dominance of solution, vulnerability, and responsibility frames. Moreover, the Global North and Global South framed human causes, i.e., larger societal forces, as responsible, rather than natural causes. In addition, the victimization frame is more focused than community-led efforts. Notably, the solutions primarily emphasized international aid and climate adaptation, and other local governance and community adaptation frames. These results underscore the dual role of Global North and Global South media both as advocates for global climate justice and narrators of humanitarian crises, while also highlighting gaps in resilience narratives and local agency. This study contributes to framing theory by exploring the interplay of global and local narratives in disaster reporting. It emphasizes the need for balanced, actionable solutions in media discourse on climate-induced disasters to ensure climate justice.

$1 trillion Belt Road Initiative (BRI)’s China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) component is a dimensional shift in Sino-Pak relations and a conception of shared future being heralded as the game changer for Pakistan as well as for the whole region. As a nodal part of the China’s ambitious Belt & Road Initiative that envisage to improve connectivity on transcontinental scale by connecting China to Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the CPEC has come under attention of international media, policy makers, economists and academicians. This study discusses the framing of CPEC in press of India and China. India being territorial neighbors and China being the investor shares certain interests, reservations and apprehensions related to CPEC. Two English newspapers from China (China Daily & Global Times) and India (Indian Express & The Hindu) were selected and all the news and editorials related to CPEC were analyzed for the period of 2015-2017. Finding reveals that India’s press is covering CPEC more in terms of strategic and conflict perspective rather than infrastructure and connectivity aspects. However, the Chinese press covers CPEC in broader context of BRI and globalization hence connectivity, development, strategic value and economic paybacks are the dominant frames. Moreover, framing of CPEC varies over the time in the press of India and China. Study suggests that policy making is needed to reduce the negative stance and communication differences of international press towards CPEC. Findings imply that Pakistan should made efforts to develop better relations with neighboring countries by engaging them with CPEC as a project of development, mutual benefit and regional integration.