There appears to be utter confusion around us. At a time when a stable, progressive environment is needed most to overcome the compounded difficulties this country finds itself in.
The media has become a lynch mob. The apex court has assumed the role of the chief investigating authority. The opposition parties are frothing at the mouth hoping to scavenge the spoils. The State of Pakistan is the object of desire. But there is no cohesive response as to the objectives to deliver to the people.
Sensationalism rules the waves, print and electronic. In some cases substantiated but in most I would venture to add it is outright irresponsible and lacking true substance. To paint the ugliest canvas, the literate and semi-literate are molesting the scourge of illiteracy. And there is nothing evident to bring this to a close in the foreseeable future. It is tragic, to say the least.
What boggles the mind is the misconceived strategy related to information management that is glaringly evident. There is lack of policy planning leading to a reactive approach to the missiles being fired by all and sundry. The response is therefore rushed and poorly executed, leading to the creation of a credibility gap, adding fuel to the fire instead of a cohesive response.
This is the main cause of real damage. It creates a situation where even defense of defensible issues is tainted. It is relished by those thriving on sensationalism, gives them more to feed on.
There are so many eagerly seeking media projection without the proper qualifications to serve the cause. And the lack of political resolutions and ideals makes it difficult for even those who are ably equipped. It is so easy to be sitting outside throwing stones without being accountable or responsible for what is conveyed.
It has become incumbent upon the government, for that matter for all political entities, to develop a media management policy through the creation of ably equipped media cells. The need to correctly manage the substance of news circulated to the nation is of prime importance.
Currently, there are too many cooks spoiling the broth. The number of people speaking on or being tasked to speak on issues unrelated to them is huge. Look at what this is doing. Classic examples are the disinformation and rumors running rampant which are destroying the investment and economic climate both for local and foreign investment.
Even the RGST issue has been badly mismanaged from the end of 2008 when the IMF first discussed VAT. No coherent strategy was prepared to convey the reforms to the people. Perhaps it was never the intention of the government to proceed with implementation and therefore it suited them to let it float and build hype around it. It was only when IMF got serious that they attempted to save it.
What they did was too little and too late. The thrust even then lacked strategy, planning and therefore direction. Then hundreds began to speak and adversaries spoke even louder. Foreign VAT experts were inducted to defend it. Bureaucrats, of any nature, arent adept at being hunted by hounds when open season is declared. They made it worse.
Today probably the consumer has begun to comprehend that this is no new tax but a refined form of an existing tax. He may actually be the beneficiary. But not the evader! He has access to a powerful lobby and is resisting putting the government into a serious predicament.
For years now I have been advocating establishing the office of spokesperson in the chief executives office along the lines of similar offices in the developed countries. At the same time it is essential that the most important ministries of finance and defence do the same. To substantiate my point, the Foreign Office already has a spokesperson and this has addressed many issues. But the structure of this role too needs to be expanded. Especially in the current trying times.
What is envisaged is a substantial role, led by a person of high calibre, who is associated with the press, competent enough to deal with all the issues. This person can then act as someone who will provide an accessible window to the press corps assigned to cover the subject. Creating a situation where rumors can be challenged by simply asking, Why was the spokesperson not asked this at the briefing? Thus immediately either putting an end to aimless speculation or confirming as the case maybe. This is of absolute essence.
Today, major anchors and journalists have had their stories challenged and it is a fact that their credibility has been severely dented. This has ironically provided the government with some relief. It is of utmost essence that the media policy is positively reviewed in its entirety. Steps are desperately needed to develop streamlined processes allowing for seamless and factual dissemination of information to the nation and provide for the badly needed confidence in the state of the union.
Wishing all of you a Happy New Year.
The writer can be contacted at imranmhusain@me.com