Deliberate or inadvertent

What mars our collective conscience?

Tragic as it is, the reaction to the ambush of Hamid Mir in Karachi has been like a misguided missile. Hamid Mir survived despite six bullets pumped into his body by unknown assailants on April 19 – thanks to timely medical attention and a five-hour surgery at the Agha Khan hospital.

Expression of grief and shock are quite natural at the assassination attempt, particularly by close relatives and brother, himself a seasoned journalist fully aware of the pitfalls of his line of work. Hysterical accusations based on conjectures without any credible proof, against a state institution no less than the ISI and its head, are not. These appeared quite inappropriate at the time and are quite irresponsible in hindsight.

What added fuel to the fire was that the Geo television management allowed Amir Mir’s statement to run uninterrupted for seven hours or so in a manner that conveyed the impression of the ISI’s director general to be pronounced guilty without trial. This reeked of deliberate character assassination. For some, it was also against ethics of journalism, as the version of the other side was not sought or afforded parallel coverage. For the international (particularly the Indian) media and other hostile elements, perpetually hungry for the ISI’s blood, the whole episode provided further ammunition for ISI bashing.

The mishandling and the resultant fallout, deliberate or inadvertent, have manifested the polarisation and the incompetence that plagues our nation across the board. The animosity between the competing media groups raised its ugly head with a vengeance. The state organs appeared dysfunctional as they failed to respond and exercise damage control. Mudslinging, blame game and free for all debates, however frivolous, meaningless and harmful, still rattle on. No doubt they will cease only when the ratings drop or some other juicy news springs to be ‘broken’.

During all this, the real issues of investigation, the actual crime reporting and prevention of recurrence went into the background. So did the welfare of Hamid Mir, a human being that lay in a hospital nursing his intestines, leg and pelvis wounds that needed prayers and good wishes of his huge number of followers and admirers. And his immediate family that must be deeply concerned for his early return to a normal life – if it will ever be so. Did the media, its anchors and managers get their priorities right? Should pushing an agenda at the cost of human misery be condoned or despised?

A social structure is a delicately intertwined web. Responsibility comes with freedom. For the web to remain intact laws are framed and ethical standards of self-restraint evolve with time that must be observed conscientiously. Freedom of expression also has to be governed by similar codes of ethics, if not written laws, to strengthen the social contract. The share of burden in implementing such voluntary limitations lies squarely with the media, intellectuals and the civil society. In the present case, all have contributed to fanning dissent, hatred and irrational behaviour.

Ironically, though Hamid Mir and Geo news stole the media limelight during the last few days, it has been less than flattering or sympathetic to either. Both have unfortunately become even more controversial than before. On the other hand, Raza Rumi, another journalist, writer and television anchor of high caliber had also continued with his work despite receiving threats from unknown extremist militants. He escaped the fourth attempt on his life with minor injuries in Lahore by two unidentified gunmen on March 28. His driver lost his life. The rival media barely covered that incident. His reputation as a dedicated journalist has not only survived but enhanced, as he refrained from pre-empting any controversy.

The belated self-appraisal of the media persons that has been aired on the talk shows in the last few weeks has been nothing more than self-aggrandisement and confrontational. The usual condemnations and forming of commissions have never borne any fruit. Police investigations are no more than lip service. No lessons are learnt. Life reverts to normal, till another gory incident reoccurs.

Pakistan has been a war zone for over a decade. But our differences and divisions have only escalated. Hamid Mir is an individual and Geo news is one of the hundred or so television channels, however important or influential. We have allowed personal petty jealousies to hijack the overall national welfare at a time when we need to heal the wounds and exhibit unity and compassion.

The government has exposed itself yet again as being timid and indecisive, allowing itself to be taken over by events instead of setting the direction. The overrated ministry of information and the toothless PEMRA has emerged simply as ineffective and mere observers and a burden on the exchequer. The powerful media in the private sector with all its independence and vast resources has sadly demonstrated itself simply as squabbling, petty minded and self-serving giants. Where do we go from here? Are we destined only to stoop lower by the day? Is there no one among the 180 million of us to lead us to the highs?