Recent events however suggest it needs to improve a lot
Major (retd) Mohammad Amir, a member of the government committee to negotiate peace with Taliban, left the talks this last month. What caught my eye though was the reason why he decided to do so: ‘media hype’ (Pakistan Today, April 29, 2014). “The government peace process with the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) suffered a major blow as a key player of the dialogue process, Major (retd) Mohammad Amir, quit the dialogue process in protest against the ‘unabated media hype’ created by some members of the Taliban negotiating panel for ‘personal projection’ and ‘party agendas’, reported the newspaper. The report continued to share, “Making premature announcements about the release of prisoners and alleging that the government’s negotiators did not make demands for release of civilians held captive by militants, may further damage the confidence-building measures.”
The news did not come as a surprise. Something like this was anticipated as pointed out in my op-ed published on March 3, 2014. I had categorically pointed out the possibility of a media hype and its cascading effects: “The failure of recent talks may have been a result of… b) Reporting of every ongoing step or lack of it in media, making rigidity of positions inevitable.”
We need to look closely at the picture here without taking pot shots at the media. The picture reflects certain facts. The main one being that any commercial media depends largely on advertisements given it receives. The reason I choose to focus more on the electronic medium of communication is simple: In today’s world, electronic media has emerged as the main opinion maker. In a country like Pakistan, with low literacy rate, television is not only accessible but viewed across the different income and education strata.
The competition between channels is vicious. The more viewers a channel has, the higher the rating. The higher the rating, the higher the commercial success and advertisement benefits. The game revolves around finances, pure and simple. News are turned into more sensationalised tone, tailored to gain more viewers. A very interesting observation is the negligible difference in style between newspaper and television journalism in Pakistan. In newspaper writing, words must resurrect the happening for the readers. The written communication both in the form of news and views must convey in words the details that cannot be shown in celluloid as on television. This style is suitable owing to the nature of the medium of communication. However, one observes the same style being followed on television whereas the viewer can see an event live or recorded. The viewer can see an event happening and can gauge the enormity or impact of an event, the body language of participants, so on and so forth. However, we often see a newscaster translating the visual happening in great depth and detail which is highly unwarranted for the visual medium of communication.
When a news channel runs 24/7, it needs news to telecast. The over indulgence of ‘breaking news’, whether or not it merits the label, has become a norm. In case of any event happening, most channels will be in variance with each other in reporting exact facts and figures, like casualties. In a hurry to ‘break the news’, verifying the same is often ignored. In order to generate interest of the public, checks by the organisation based on comprehensive editorial policies is mandatory. Does the need of editorial policies get nudged out owing to a desire for increased ratings? Who suffers in the end?
This brings me to yet another question: where do we teach media ethics to our journalists we expect them to practice? Yes, we teach it as a mandatory course as part of syllabus of Mass Communications, but how many enter the field after a masters or a bachelor’s degree in the subject? How do they learn? The answer is they don’t. I quote from my book; ‘A Comparative Analysis of Media and Media Laws in Pakistan,’ from the chapter on electronic media, “There is a strong tendency by the media to reflect and keep on reflecting, thereby sensationalising issues till something juicier comes along, on murders, kidnappings and rapes. Showing the relatives of the victims beating their chest, crying and wailing. This kind of news are sought and covered, not because of the national importance but because, it is thought, they will attract better viewership. Poor coverage of important issues is yet another problem. Converting non-issues into issues unfortunately happens. Earlier, I had mentioned what is in public interest and what the public may want to see can be mutually exclusive of each other. The “real” issues take a hit and are often relegated to the back burner because “issues” that may either be non-issues or minor issues are promoted as “the” issues. If talk shows are being aired incessantly, they would more often deal with petty bickering and screaming matches between opponents invited, also leading to colourful exchange of abuses, rather than policy matters or a constructive discussion.”
The purpose here is not to take pot shots at media. Not at all and I do beg your pardon if such an erroneous impression is created.
PEMRA Ordinance 2002, clause 20, sub-clause (b) ensures “preservation of the national, cultural, social and religious values and the principles of public policy as enshrined in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.” However, how do these ideals translate into the job description of a programme editor? Or a cameraman? Or a reporter? In the absence of anyone to translate them, either in the form of an effective editorial policy or in the shape of training, they do not.
The important thing to understand is that greater freedom to voice opinion demands greater responsibility. Freedom to voice opinion world over is marked with certain universally acceptable limitations like hate speech, racism, defamation, copyrights, incitement, obscenity, profanity, perjury, treason, invasion of privacy, abetting terrorism, so on and so forth. Freedom of expression, like any other liberty, brings with itself a very heavy responsibility on the shoulders of all of those exercising that right and in particular upon those who are in a position to influence policies, impact and form public opinion. Free media, yes, but a responsible free media, please.
William O Douglas of the Supreme Court of the United States in the judgment of Beauharnais v. Illinois, 342 U.S. 250, 287 (1952), recorded, “The framers of the constitution knew human nature as well as we do. They too had lived in dangerous days; they too knew the suffocating influence of orthodoxy and standardised thought. They weighed the compulsions for restrained speech and thought against the abuses of liberty. They chose liberty.”
With greater liberty comes greater responsibility how I wish our society understood this … Very well written article!
Summed up her article "No pot shots at media" in 1 line – "Free media,yes,but responsible free media, plz"
Thanks for writing. witnessing a height of professional jealousy among channels. They need to get mature and honest.
There's another issue: one of switching sides or even philosophies-based on convenience. Literally changing one's spots.Do write.
Greater freedom to voice opinion means greater responsiblity. Well said!
The media should stop its 'circus' please….
Thanks Yasmeen. Yesterday I read another good one from Javed Jabbar in Dawn. When I look at the quality of anchors on talk shows , barring a few honourable exceptions, they are all blackmailers and vagabonds who would have died of hunger had the media not been given the freedom and they had not been hired to display their their notoriety. A slur on the media.The substance of these talk shows and their faces are detestable, to say the least. To add to all this are the channel owners.
Now coming to the stalled talks with the TTP. These talks cannot succeed without the direct participation/involvement of the powers that be. . Nawaz Sheriff can try his best. He lacks credibility with these people who know where the actual power lies . They know that the ultimate deliverers are someone else . Nawaz Sheriff by his intransigence to side line the real power is traversing an impossible path. Sami ul Haq and Ibrahim are too clever for him. They know that have to live with people whom they are representing,when they also know that Nawaz Sheriff is in transit . He is here to ensure the safe exit of the American War Machine after which he will be dispensed with as the Americans are not interested in dealing with him after that. The rest is in the hands of ALLAH.
Regards
Siraj Ullah Qazi
Hype created by Media & Politics of Negotiator some reasons of Talks failure & Maj Amir,s Separation. Media Free But Responsible
I was surprised at the nomination of Major (r) Amir. Don't they check up the background. What happened had to happen.
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Unfortunately this holds true to our present media, they can make a criminal out of a pious man and an Alim on line out of a crook. There are no ethics, no rules as their financial interests are supreme to them and they can telecast anything which brings them cash, it may be against the State, Judiciary, Army and may be as poisonous as sectarianism or religious divide. At present our media needs a "stick" and I do not agree with you Madam about "No pot shots" but strongly recommend a firing squad for them until they follow the norms of civil society,
Lack if Media Ethics & proper implementation by an independent regulatory body.
A very good article. I loved reading it.
Yasmeen, this article… like any other article by yourself, does not surprise me at all. Great in-depth analysis along with what needs to be done. However, it is felt that we need to take one step further and set examples! Why can't the anchorpersons/hosts be more like yourself. How about that? Do we look forward to a show with you hosting it? With a keen eye on public issues minus the accusations/fights/arguments we put up with, engineered just for ratings? Apparently your book, your articles fall on deaf ears. Public takes great interest and appreciates them. However, those who should pay heed seem oblivious to rules/regulations/ethics. On a separate note, it is a shame that such rules have to exist while all that is required is a little introspection, manners, humanity, respect. Traits which one is usually born with.
Thank you Baahirezamana for your kind comments. Rules in every field need to exist for ensuring existence of law & order. However, in a lot of areas we fail on implementation too!
Great Artical as always
Bang on, Ms Ali. At times I wonder who destroyed Pakistani psyche more: Zia or irresponsible media?
VERY WELL BALANCED ANALYSIS MADE BY HER AND THE MAIN IDEA IS THAT THE MEDIA ANCHORS (WHO WORKED IN GEO) SHOULD NOT BE CHAMCHA OF IDIOT AND STUBBORN PRIME MINISTER BY PROMOTING HIS AGENDA WHO IS TRAITORS.OF HIS OWN COUNTRY.HE SHOULD BE KICKED OUT IMMEDIATELY ALONGWITH HIS WHOLE FAMILY.
The composition of the official committee: Irfan due to his background doesn't know and cannot understand the social mechanism at all. Yousafzai looks at it in black and white.Major Amir is brother of Maulana Tayyab who has a strong following there.His aim was enhancing profile only that achieved,he cannot do more as it will dilute his "real self".On the other hand,the Taliban committee is caught between devil n deep sea.They have to have strong posture so as not to be discredited.They are concerned of their security in case they get mild.
As for the press:rating is objective,info rotates as no channel has resources to reach to correct quarters.delivery is sub standard.talk show parrots close eyes and allow mouths to out pour whatever rotted.
Thank you for your article which I found in shape of a dialogue highlighting the freedom and responsibility of media reflecting your balanced views about training and up bringing of media people.However concluding para from the judgment of a US Supreme Court made it all v clear n added weight to the freedom of press.I find recent debate of boycott of a certain media house highly absurd particularly in view of fast growing technological developments in the field of communication. We as a nation got to learn to manage, handle and deal with our problems n issues intellectualy and not seeking solutions in awami and streetman style.
Thankyou once again n warm regards,
Ghias uddin Babar
Yes I agree. The media must not only be free but it should also be responsibly fearless and frank and kept well away from the controls of all government machinery
Regards
Samir
Media an instrument to pin point wrongs, no strings attached. Businesses have no mandate to arrogance or browbeat.
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