Why media is under attack?

Who is at fault, really?

Ever since man has started living in organised societies within the territorial entities called the state, there has been a perpetual struggle and confrontation between the forces of status quo and the change. History is a witness to the fact that the reactionary and anti-change elements have invariably resisted their rival forces with all the power and means at their command, even with violence. In the modern era, media due to its pivotal position and recognised status of being the fourth pillar of the state, is regarded as the harbinger of change, which adequately explains the reasons behind violent attacks on the media houses and media persons around the world, depending on the degree of civilisation attained by every nation.

Pakistan is passing through a transitory phase in its march towards morphing into a civilised society with strong democratic traditions and respect for dissenting views. The reactionary forces, in spite of a proven record of their failure to stop change, are now engaged in their last ditch effort to scuttle the process of change by attacking the media whom they perceive as the biggest threat to their well entrenched vested interests. In recent years, especially after the entry of the private electronic channels into the market of ideas and the freedom of expression enjoyed by the media, the country has witnessed growing attacks on the media persons, some paying with their lives for their belligerent efforts to vie for changing the archaic and exploitative social order and challenging the machinations of the institutions trying to hinder that change. However, it needs to be readily conceded that certain sections of the media and some media persons sometimes also have been acting irresponsibly in complete disregard to their social responsibility and internationally recognised professional and ethical norms, provoking and daring the reactionary elements to make their moves to muzzle the voices of dissent and change.

The attack on Hamid Mir undoubtedly is a handiwork of these unidentified forces, since nobody has claimed the responsibility so far. No words and invectives would be enough to condemn the assassination attempt on him. Having said that, my considered view as a media watcher and a teacher of media studies is that this incident has not been handled in a responsible and discreet manner by the media. To begin with, brother of Hamid Mir lost no time in pointing an accusing finger towards the ISI and its current DG General Zaheer-ul-Islam without any concrete evidence to prove his assertion except the apprehensions expressed by Hamid Mir about a possible attempt on his life. Then some media outlets, particularly the electronic channels, taking cue from the claim made by Hamid Mir’s family, made a conscious effort to reinforce the impression without any corroborative evidence from any independent source or their own irrefutable investigative efforts.

It was indeed an impulsive reaction to the sad incident. The sentiments of the family are understandable but the media being the representative of the society was expected to react in a rational and prudent manner with due consideration of the sensitivities involved. ISI is a premier intelligence agency which has persistently been maligned by the enemies of the country. The unsubstantiated flak hurled at it on the domestic front, especially by the media, did provide its detractors beyond our frontiers the chance to further soil its image. At a time when the Pakistan Army is engaged in a relentless war against the terrorists and the ISI is making a sterling contribution in furthering and strengthening its ability to neutralise them on the basis of the credible intelligence provided by it, such irresponsible behaviour on the part of the media could act as a morale-sapping catalyst for the army men who have made unparalleled sacrifices to ward off the existentialist threat to the country.

Under the circumstances, the legal action against the irresponsible behaviour of the electronic channels, being contemplated by the Army and the ISI as revealed by ISPR, reflects a sense of disappointment — and rightly so — within the security establishment. It is pertinent to mention that the ISPR had immediately condemned the attack on Hamid Mir and supported an impartial inquiry into the incident but the ISI bashing has continued unabated.

The prime minister has taken a timely and well considered initiative to order a judicial inquiry into the incident to unearth the circumstances surrounding this episode and to bring the culprits to the book. The ISPR has also indicated unequivocally that the security establishment would fully cooperate with the judicial commission in this regard. It has also, as an initial reaction to the umbrage directed at the ISI, said that the attack might have been carried out by the miscreants. It is indeed a very pertinent observation.

In the prevailing circumstances, men like Hamid Mir have several enemies who despite representing a broader spectrum of the reactionary forces have their own individual agendas and enemies. Precluding these possibilities and jumping to the conclusion on the basis of sentimental streaks is not an advisable option for the media or for that matter anybody interested in knowing the truth. The media therefore, should wait for the findings of the Judicial Commission and stop committing indiscretions which could influence the process of investigations or undermine the position of a prestigious institution like the ISI and the Army. The government should also make sure that the Commission is formed immediately and its findings, unlike the reports of the previous commission, are not only made public but appropriate action is also taken against the perpetrators of this heinous crime.