| No power on this earth can block the truth as it is God | | | | charity houses: they operate as businesses and have |
| who, being the truth Himself, guards it. Nowhere in | | | | commercial interests. There is a natural tendency to |
| history could the truth ever be suppressed, it always | | | | indulge in corruption and malpractice when an institution |
| revealed itself in some other form and with dangerous | | | | enjoys absolute power, particularly in the absence of a |
| consequences. | | | | strong system of accountability. |
| British philosopher John Stuart Mill underlined the need | | | | The Government verses Media |
| for free speech mainly for three reasons. He believed | | | | Our country is rapidly drifting towards destruction due |
| that freedom to read or write is an important element | | | | to the ever-increasing corruption and poor governance. |
| to expose and reveal the truth, to ensure | | | | Since independence, corruption and mismanagement |
| self-development and self-fulfillment of citizens and to | | | | have become common norms. Now media has to |
| help ensure participation of the citizens in a democracy. | | | | work hard to sweep the dirt. As a result, the |
| The Pakistani media is an enthusiastic member of the | | | | government considers it as humiliation and defeat. The |
| new warrior clan of the 21st century and despite | | | | anchors like Kamran khan, Dr Shahid Masood, Hamid |
| belonging to war-torn country, is playing active role in | | | | Mir, luqman Mubasher, Talat Hussain etc. have |
| keeping with the demands of the modern times. By | | | | successfully criticized missing people, steel mills case, |
| airing divergent views and engaging in cross | | | | Kerry Lugar bill, NRO, rental projectors, victimization by |
| questioning on significant national and social issues the | | | | members of the assemblies and the inside stories of |
| media reflects and informs public opinion and practically | | | | DEALS with each other. |
| shares the task of the parliament. Investigative | | | | This government has no ability or a morally upright |
| reporting and live discussions can undermine the spell | | | | resource to take cognisance of it; our attorney-general |
| of many a magicians. | | | | has resigned due to corruption charges, the minister for |
| This has facilitated public access to the hitherto unseen | | | | parliamentary affairs has been named in a corruption |
| workings of the political and bureaucratic set-up while | | | | case involving tens of million rupees and it is needless |
| simultaneously highlighting the injustices suffered by the | | | | to mention the conduct of our ex-chief justice Abdul |
| common man as a result of the shady practices of | | | | Hameed Dogar. |
| the elite. | | | | The banning of Meray Mutabiq is unacceptable to 170 |
| After a significant role of media in restoring the judicial | | | | million Pakistanis who believe in the freedom of |
| crisis, media has an unprecedented ability to act as a | | | | speech. This is an attack on free speech and the |
| catalyst in civil society efforts to strengthen | | | | media by the current regime which must be resisted. |
| democratic polity. | | | | Dr Shahid Masood has been bringing the facts before |
| The fundamental ingredient making democracy | | | | the nation. He is a professional journalist and must be |
| possible is the flow of information. The media (plural of | | | | allowed to continue his show. |
| medium )electronic, print, cyber and internet ensures | | | | |
| this flow of information. If restricted, censored or | | | | PEMRA and Freedom of Media |
| hindered in any way the people will remain ignorant, | | | | The Authority is responsible for facilitating and |
| ignorant of events, ignorant of their rights, their duty to | | | | regulating the establishment and operation of all |
| the State, their needs and the role that they can play | | | | broadcast media and distribution services in Pakistan. |
| for the betterment of the society they live in and the | | | | The mandate of PEMRA is ensure accountability, |
| country as a whole. | | | | transparency and good governance by optimization |
| Macaulay called the Press as Fourth Estate of the | | | | the free flow of information. But the ex-President |
| government, but the advent of technology the media | | | | Mushraf issued orders' "To seize broadcast equipment |
| has gained new dimension, great strength and very | | | | or seal the premises." When journalist refused to be |
| sharp transforming the present age into information | | | | overawed by indirect threats, a draconian law in the |
| explosion. | | | | form of the Pemra (Amendment) Ordinance, 2007, |
| The media plays an extremely important role in | | | | was promulgated. This law is on its face contrary to |
| transmitting the claims of social, economic and political | | | | Article 19 to the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, which |
| movements to the decision-makers and the public. A | | | | guarantees freedom of speech, expression and the |
| free press and electronic media is an essential attribute | | | | press…. To raise the fine of violations tenfold and if |
| today of a democratic polity because only these | | | | required to suspend the lincense." |
| sources of information can keep not only information | | | | Sensationalism in the Media: |
| flowing freely but also help maintain a constant | | | | What is sensationalism? Dog bites Man. This is old |
| dialogue between the policy makers and the masses. | | | | news. We already know the outcome. Man bites Dog. |
| How did TV Channels Emerged in Pakistan: | | | | This is sensationalism: it immediately stirs the listener's |
| Surprisingly, the free electronic media in Pakistan was | | | | mind and is the cause for great hype. |
| initiated by a dictator General Musharraf, though he | | | | The dramatic background music, images of clashes |
| had his own interests to present himself as a | | | | between security officials and civilians, and riots all |
| democrat President before the West. | | | | form a part of sensationalism, enticing the viewer to |
| Growth of Satellite system facilitated it technical side. | | | | turn on the television set. Whatever the truth, does not |
| President Musharraf to project Enlightened Moderation | | | | matter, television is selling, making money and that is |
| and democratic image. | | | | the true motive. |
| Multinationals' advertisements provided huge income to | | | | On the other hand the growing trend in broadcast |
| make the business viable. | | | | media for attracting anchors on heavy remunerations, |
| The peoples' interest in watching their issues instead of | | | | anchors who possess skills of creating sensationalism |
| traditional dramas and movies. | | | | and who spice news with hypothesis, is an example of |
| The world after 9/11 and talk shows got the attention | | | | how media channels are departing from objectivity and |
| of the Pakistanis and the Muslim world. Talented | | | | balanced reporting. |
| anchor persons became the voice of the people. | | | | Furthermore, the frequent switching of anchors from |
| Less readership and more viewer ship due to busy life | | | | one channel to another mainly for economic gains in |
| spread the culture of watching. | | | | utter disregard of the basic ethos of the journalistic |
| Availability of TV sets due to China imports and cheap | | | | profession also supports the argument that broadcast |
| manufacturing in Pakistan. | | | | media in Pakistan is headed for |
| New local government system in 2001 and 2002 the | | | | over-commercialization. |
| urgency to provide electronic media at the grass-roots | | | | These channels sometimes most of the time have |
| level. | | | | been guilty of over-doing things with their |
| Allowing media freedom was not a choice for | | | | moment-by-moment commentary. Give them some |
| Pakistan's establishments. It was their compulsion. | | | | time (a decade at least!), they'll mature over time. |
| During the Kargil conflict the Pakistani establishment | | | | Also they would just cut anybody, a politician would be |
| had learnt the bitter lesson that PTV commanded only | | | | there talking and they will cut him in the middle saying |
| a limited audience. People watched Zee News and | | | | buhat buhat shukriya app ka |
| other Indian channels to get the other side of the story. | | | | During the Lal masjid episode she even once said to |
| In this backdrop it was decided the Pakistan needed its | | | | DG ISPR app qaum ko koi pegham dena chahin ge. he |
| own independent electronic media channels. | | | | said, BB main yahan apni duty de raha hoon, qaum ko |
| Western Media and need for local Media: | | | | pegham dene nahin aya. |
| The Western Media Cover Iraq, or Afghanistan, WMD. | | | | The claim of Sub se pehley has started a mad race. |
| A.Q. Khan, London bombings, Pope's remarks about | | | | The media has realized its power and ability to |
| Islam or Islamabad agreement with tribal elders in | | | | penetrate an innocent mind and they are exercising it |
| South Waziristan, but with its own comments and | | | | so savagely. |
| showing one as Hero and other as Villain. The world is | | | | The private channels are owned by big investors with |
| in the grip of War of Media. | | | | a purpose to enhance business. They have to afford |
| Johann Galtung, a distinguished journalist, maintains that | | | | massive expenses, so, competition to excel others |
| media projects violence without analyzing its causes | | | | makes them irresponsible. In order to attract more |
| for unresolved issues portrays one side as' ‘Evil' | | | | view ship and resultantly more commercials-they even |
| and the other as ‘Liberator.' Kevin Doyle quotes the | | | | sometimes forget the damage caused to national |
| theory of ‘Propaganda Model' and explains that the | | | | interest. |
| modern Media promotes the division within the global | | | | A bold and blunt anchor person undermines the set |
| village which is enhancing insecurity. | | | | standards. The petty events are heightened. Tiny is |
| The US controlled western media, is blaming Islam and | | | | made mighty and vice versa-on the grounds of |
| Muslims as terrorists. If some Muslims are terrorists, it | | | | personal grudges or at the behest of the owners. |
| does not prove over a billion Muslims are terrorists. | | | | Moreover still, the mood of the public is not as mature |
| Former President CBS News, Richard Salient reveals, | | | | as in the strong democracies due to lack of education |
| | | | and weak sociopolitical and cultural norms. |
| "Our job is to give people not what they want, but we | | | | |
| decide they ought to have." | | | | Causes of Controlled Media: |
| Miracles of Electronic Media: | | | | The imperial heritage has been hallmark about politics. |
| Modern-day electronic media, on the other hand, has | | | | In Pakistan, not only the dictators but also the civilians |
| employed advanced technology to wage a bloodless | | | | rulers took unconstitutional steps, covered their own |
| war in the form of investigative reporting and live | | | | corruption along with their associates. Internal corruption |
| debates. | | | | of judiciary all were only possible with a curbed media. |
| The combined usage of auditory and visual sensory | | | | Narrow minded religious parties once the blue eyed |
| perceptions by the electronic media can succeed in | | | | boys of the military restricted media freedom. |
| stimulating deep emotions and sensations. | | | | Media has been the fear of every general after taking |
| Televised news is the most powerful medium today, | | | | over the government. |
| especially in Pakistan where the literacy rate is | | | | The illiterate masses have been exerting zero |
| extremely low. Due to impact of TV channels, the | | | | pressure on the policy makers. |
| people are more informed. The electronic media, along | | | | The reason for different views are the investors. If a |
| with the print media, often criticize the government for | | | | party or institution invests in the media, they want to |
| going against the spirit of the constitution, violating | | | | see their own views reflected. The views reflected |
| democratic traditions and being unaccountable to the | | | | are not necessarily of the public, nor of the employees, |
| public at large for inflation, unemployment, poverty, | | | | rather, the views of those who pay wages to these |
| deterioration of the law and order situation and | | | | employees, in turn shaping not only their view, but also |
| highhandedness against opposition. | | | | the public. |
| It can be used as a motivational force to bring | | | | Corporate barons who own a large chunk of the |
| consensus on vital issues like education and health. The | | | | Pakistani Media obeyed the official orders to get |
| truth is that the significance of the media as a medium | | | | monetary benefits. |
| of interconnectedness of human affairs cannot be | | | | Pakistan has failed to spawn a free and fair political |
| undermined in an age of rapid globalization. | | | | culture attuned to the expectations of its people. |
| It seems to have overtaken the press in forms of | | | | Journalists have been intimated and humiliated by the |
| impact on the target population in as much as it | | | | denizens of power and their agents. The vigilantes of |
| reproduces events and characters on the screen | | | | the political parties, too-especially the religion-oriented |
| directly and promptly. The advent of independent TV | | | | ones-also contribute generously to making the lives of |
| channels in the country substantially transformed our | | | | journalists miserable. Everyone wants the journalists to |
| culture and political discourse. Television is far more | | | | obey their orders. |
| effective pervasive, intensive and graphic than print | | | | |
| media. Its impact on the public mind is substantially | | | | Suggestions: |
| higher than that of the print media. Live coverage on | | | | The media as an institution and fourth estate is |
| television not only provides us with the most | | | | accountable to the public and responsible for its |
| up-to-date information about events but also engages | | | | actions. Media practitioners should stop thinking they |
| the viewer in a way that print media cannot do the in | | | | are above the law. Let the media introduce an internal |
| the same way. | | | | scheme of checks and balances. Undoubtedly, this is |
| It is usually claimed that the job of the media is the | | | | an uphill task. |
| dispassionate presentation of facts. The fact is that | | | | Accountability of the media is not possible under the |
| the job of the media person is not to serve as a post | | | | disputed regulatory regime. Media organizations and |
| office but more importantly to educate the public | | | | civil society should jointly constitute a commission for |
| through informed reporting so as to facilitate as | | | | this task. The recent coming together of several |
| objective an opinion formation as possible. A free | | | | leading TV channels to frame rules for terrorism |
| media that works conscientiously can serve as the | | | | coverage is a step in the right direction. This move |
| collective conscience at the national and international | | | | may help purge the elements abusing the power of |
| level. This, however, is often easier said than done. | | | | the media in violation of the public mandate. |
| The reporter or journalist is after all human and | | | | The aim of media activism should be to strengthen the |
| endowed with biases and in some cases prejudices | | | | weak and vulnerable segments of society. It is they |
| and as with all power bases the media too is | | | | who need our support, activism is not merely reporting |
| vulnerable to the corruption of the absolute power. | | | | but it involves deep passion and research. |
| There will always be those in their ranks who can be | | | | While covering a big story, especially in the war zones, |
| bought with cash or perks or promises of paradise. But | | | | the human sides of a conflict are often ignored by the |
| then there will always be those who are not | | | | general media. Here media activism can play its true |
| purchasable because they know that their reporting | | | | role in reminding the world of the miseries and |
| can make or break individuals, communities and nations | | | | sufferings of the ignored segments of society. |
| -- a heavy burden indeed. | | | | In the same context the NRO has made even the |
| | | | highest office of the country questionable. In such an |
| Positive Effects: | | | | environment it is the honest and straight-forwarded |
| Political Analysis: | | | | media which can make some difference by acting as |
| The skilled and bold personality of anchor person | | | | a pressure group and the recent action of the |
| raises people's voice and clearly asks the real point of | | | | government amounts to treason. |
| the crisis. | | | | First and foremost, media must help in stabilizing the |
| They analyze government actions, either in favor or | | | | national institutions and national socio-economic, political |
| against the masses and develop the opinions of the | | | | and administrative structure by pointing out the flow |
| experts. | | | | and appreciating any rod work done by the |
| Media is serving as true democratic notion of people's | | | | Government or State institutions and organizations in |
| participation. The general peoples' criticism, analysis, and | | | | private sector. Serving the country honestly and |
| comments are added. which also act as a catharsis. | | | | sincerely must be projected. |
| The ruling feel shame while speaking bluff in live shows | | | | The need to strengthen our socio-cultural and |
| before the millions of the citizens. | | | | ideological foundations was never so great as it is |
| Media successfully informs the whole world against | | | | today. There is cultural invasion from the West and |
| any injustice and shows world' criticism which compel | | | | Indian TV channels and Cable TV networks. Our |
| the government to change its autocratic orders. | | | | values are being attacked and are in danger. Media |
| Economic Debate | | | | must build our confidence and faith in our values. |
| Shows government's projects internationally to get | | | | We as viewer should mend ourselves, so that we |
| foreign investment by projecting the benefits of the | | | | may not be carried away with the media hype. We |
| enterprise. | | | | should know when t o stop viewing the repeated |
| Advertising to maintain competition among various | | | | hysterics. |
| companies which facilitates the public. Like, mobile | | | | Media going through a turbulent transition, with a new |
| phones and their lowering prices. | | | | found liberties. It is hoped they will settle to a saner |
| It represents new business trends going in the world | | | | posture in due course. |
| and offering the new opportunities for the investors. | | | | It must create a pride in our glorious past, our culture |
| Performance of stock exchange keeps update the | | | | and our way of living. Pakistan is the seventh atomic |
| investors. | | | | power in the world and the only Muslim country, which |
| Spreads technical education to learn the working of | | | | has achieved this status. This is a matter of great |
| the machinery. | | | | pride and prestige. We have mat beautiful normative |
| Social Awareness: | | | | and social value structure, which needs to be |
| Bring the world at doorstepwith its various trends, | | | | preserved, promoted and strengthened. |
| colors and life styles. | | | | Media must help sustain confidence in our national |
| Changes moods and behavior of people from | | | | institutions such as parliament, armed forces and our |
| conservative to liberal. | | | | social structure. Erosion of such confidence in our |
| Bold topics through dramas and talk shows to purify | | | | institutional set-up can be dangerous. All problems and |
| the society from superstitions, evils and fake stories. | | | | issues such as relating to functioning of our institutional |
| New household styles to upgrade the living standards. | | | | framework have to be explained effectively to the |
| Guides the youth for new opportunities and to | | | | people so that they develop a positive opinion and |
| compete with the world in all fields of life. | | | | attitude. |
| Creates civic sense. | | | | At present, we are living in a world, which is moving |
| | | | too fast. And in the ensuing din and noise masses |
| Religion Clarifications: | | | | must be helped by the mass media to see things |
| Authentic information by the competent scholars | | | | clearly so that they are not misled. |
| instead of narrow minded and ignorant clerics who | | | | The prime objective of media must be national stability |
| have changed the world into hell. | | | | in all its dimensions. A social and political climate needs |
| Solutions of answers of publics' questions which | | | | to be created in which people could |
| remain unheared and unexplained. | | | | engage-themselves in positive and healthy activities |
| Highlights religious events like Mohram, Eid, Mairaj and | | | | and could contribute to the overall national |
| the holy ramazan. | | | | development. |
| Sectarian harmony is minimized by putting forward the | | | | The feelings of despondency, frustration and deviant |
| views of competent and enlightened Ulamas. | | | | tendencies need to be neutralized. Only an effective |
| Negative Effects: | | | | media, can do this. |
| Political gimmick: | | | | This also places far greater responsibility on the |
| Blackmailing by the media persons to get personal | | | | shoulders of those running its affairs. The nature of |
| gains as now practically, media is not answerable | | | | their functions is such that all those involved in the |
| before any institution. | | | | process including reporters, analysts, anchors, editorial |
| Sensationalism of news to get cheap popularity. | | | | staff and the management are required to make |
| To show one as Evil and other as Liberator by | | | | difficult choice every day. It is essential for their |
| continuously repeating the comments or visuals. | | | | credibility that they remain visibly impartial, evenhanded |
| Social Evils: | | | | and demand from the passions of the moment. |
| Vulgarity due to inflow of foreign culture. The English | | | | A system of journalistic accountability, both internal and |
| and Indian channels are affecting the moral of the | | | | external, is in place on the news side, which leads to |
| youth. | | | | more responsible reporting and editing. |
| Time wastage due to constant watching the dramas. | | | | The sudden boom in the media has led to severe |
| More materialism by diminishing simplicity. | | | | shortages of trained manpower, so that people can be |
| Generation gap is increasing on account of fast | | | | appointed to positions that require more journalistic |
| approach towards life. | | | | experience than they really have. |
| Religious impressions: | | | | The print and broadcast media must make every |
| Weakening religious impressions due to foreign culture | | | | effort to ensure that their coverage is factual, |
| and time wastage. | | | | balanced and informed. Live pictures must be |
| | | | responsibly broadcast. |
| Challenges to Media: | | | | Conclusion: |
| · | | | | To summarize, media can help stabilize and strengthen |
| The violence stricken areas like FATA, Balochistan, the | | | | the country by playing educational and informative role |
| journalists are terribly vulnerable. In 2008, almost 12 | | | | and by imparting knowledge to the masses as |
| journalists were killed and 6 in 2009. It has curbed the | | | | knowledge is power and only a well-informed society |
| free flow of information. | | | | can develop a positive approach towards fife. |
| Pakistan is facing conflict of ideologies between | | | | The objective of media freedom can be realized only |
| conservative and secular approaches. Therefore | | | | when public trust and confidence reposed in the media |
| media is cautious in debating on such sensitive issues | | | | is respected and protected by the media itself by |
| The government indirectly restricts media by | | | | acting as a true watchdog, keeping an eye on the |
| withholding advertisements. | | | | government on behalf of the public. |
| Media monopoly by big groups is also obstructing the | | | | "Freedom of conscience, of education, of speech, of |
| expansion of smaller channels | | | | assembly, is among the very fundamentals of |
| PAMERA have frequently threatened to cancel the | | | | democracy and all of them would be nullified if |
| license. Also other government agencies pressurize. | | | | freedom of the press be successfully challenged," |
| The political issues are so debated that other social, | | | | maintained US president Roosevelt. |
| religious and psycholoigical aspects are not properly | | | | This is an era of satellite televisions, internet |
| addressed. | | | | connectivity, and mobile telephony. US constitution |
| Though the media as an institution enjoys enormous | | | | categorically forbids: "Congress shall make no law |
| power and influence, media organizations are not | | | | abridging the freedom of speech or of press. |