Got any suggestions?
Coverage of energy price hikes are codified in the nation’s media outlets, particularly the broadcast media. The SOP: as soon as Nepra, Ogra, KESC or whatever the concerned body that is, sends a press release to the beat reporter, the newsroom starts preparing a man-on-the-street package (or, vox pops, as they are known in shop talk.) The channel then starts flashing the news as yet another assault on the “poor man”, even if it is a CNG price hike, which is functionally the bane of the middle-classes.
To cut to vox pops and ask concerned random people on the street to comment on the issue, you won’t get a well-informed opinion on international oil markets, the special Opec rate we get, the constraints of our public financial profile, the mechanics of duties and sales taxes. You will only get misguided and (always) vague frustration. To get actual experts to talk about it is problematic, not only because it is tougher and more expensive than the low-hanging fruit of stepping out of the office and talking to people but also because a reasonable measure of empathy for the situation the government is in wouldn’t go down to well with viewers.
This government is run by a political party. One that contests elections. Whose politicians do the rounds and hears all objections levelled upon it by ordinary voters. It understands how unpopular steps like these are. Incompetent it might be, politically unwise it is not. It would give anything to make this problem go away. But it won’t go away. It can’t be wished away and this is something that cannot be argued around either.
The trade-off is more than clear: either subsidise the price-hikes or transfer them to the consumers. In the case of the former, the development budget has to be eaten into, in which case, if, say, a hospital in inadequately manned, off to another vox pops package from irate patients.
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Especially with a media insistent on not raising the level of debate in the country, be it public finance, terrorism or plain, old-fashioned politics.
