Some political parties who lay claim for democratic right to peaceful protests, show intolerance to dissent by attacking media houses which dare to criticize them. Recent attacks on media during PTI political rallies and calls for shutdowns, either voluntary or enforced through threats, intimidation and abuse expose fascist mindset of few within many political parties.
A free media without any responsibility does not serve to reform society, unless it enforces self-censorship, nor allows itself to be tempted by ratings alone. Slander campaigns ignited by Infighting between media houses should not be allowed to dominate airtime. It is such irresponsible journalism which leads to attacks against working journalists. Any physical attack by political activists, criminal gangs or terrorist and extremist religious mafia outfits against citizens or journalists are criminal acts, which must be dealt with severely. Unfortunately few anchors in electronic media have assumed role of political activists or apologists, instead of acting as neutral moderators. Anchors on payroll of land mafia, extremist or sectarian groups and vested interests when exposed should be banned for life. Unethical professionalism must be restrained and penalised.
Media houses must enforce professional ethics when televising unnecessary prolonged coverage of protests, and live coverage of terrorism, which would serve as feedback for terrorists and warn them of any planned surprise to prevent loss of lives and property. Nowhere in developed civilised societies are identities of rape victims, their families or residences exposed, as they are in Pakistan.
Dramatised reenactment and gory details of murder and heinous crimes can poison young minds. It is time PEMRA or some effective regulatory body enforce strict discipline, since self-censorship or any concept of in-house editorial review is lacking in electronic media, with negative impact on a society already traumatised by violence and lawlessness.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
