Press is considered to have duty towards the society not only to educate, cultivate and reflect public opinion but also to raise its voice against things which are wrong and likely to hurt the public, their rights and welfare. It serves as the watchdog of the society and keeps an eye on everything.
Today, the media in Pakistan is largely free to write and show what it wants. This freedom has been achieved mainly due to four factors: firstly, the peoples support for a vibrant, fearless and free media has been essential.
Secondly, the journalist community has struggled for a free media over the past many decades. The third factor is globalization and the media boom, and fourthly, technological innovations in the media field.
The emergence of new information and communication technologies has been instrumental in helping the media in Pakistan achieve its present-day freedom. The objective of media freedom can be realised only when the public trust and confidence reposed in the media is respected and protected by the media itself by acting as a true watchdog, keeping an eye on the government on behalf of the public.
The silent consent and mandate of the public to the media grants the latter absolute power to inquire and question the government actions on the peoples behalf.
A free media is always an indicator of the rank of countries in the comity of nations. Media has been given power in Pakistan, and it would do well not to abuse it. The media, as an institution and fourth estate, is accountable to the public and responsible for its actions.
Media practitioners should stop thinking they are above the law. Media must introduce an internal scheme of checks and balances though this is an uphill task.
SADIA ZAHEER
Garrison University, Lahore
