Pakistan Studies

Project Report [ Role Of Media in Pakistan]

Submitted By: Moazma Naseer Kalsoom Katib Sadaf Ejaz Submitted #o: Ms$ Nazneen

Faculty of Management Sciences International Islamic ni!ersity" Islamabad

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

Table of Contents
S. # 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 P.#

History of Media in Pakistan Media in Pakistan. Importan e of Media In Pakistan. Ho" did #$ %&annels 'mer(ed in Pakistan )estern Media and need for lo al Media Mira les of 'le troni Media.. Positi*e + ,e(ati*e effe ts of media in different aspe ts of life %&allen(es to Media #&e -o*ernment *erses Media .ensationalism in t&e Media %a/ses of %ontrolled Media ./((estions.. )&at s&o/ld 0e t&e Role of Media in Pakistan1............................ %on l/sion

3 6 ! 10 11 12 13 1! 19 20 21 22 22 23

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

History of Media in Pakistan

Print is t&e oldest media of mass omm/ni ation. ,e"spapers an rea & (reater masses of p/0li . #&ey allo" readers to ontrol e6pos/re. #&is not only (i*es /s t&e fa ts a0o/t an e*ent or iss/e 0/t also e6plains and interprets t&em. In 1973, Pakistan in&erited a "eak press "it& *ery little la" for ontrollin( and re(/latin( t&e pres. $ery fe" ne"s 8apr9s "ere p/0lis&ed in t&e ne"ly 0orn Pakistan. In 'ast Pakistan and :al/ &istan not a sin(le ne"spaper "as p/0lis&ed. #&e ,);P &ad t"o daily papers. ,e"spapers o"ned 0y M/slims ame to Pakistan. #&ese in l/de <aily A=ad and mornin( ne"s >s&ifted to <&aka?, <a"n, @an( and an@am >set /p in Aara &i? After independen e, a n/m0er of ne"spapers "ere p/0lis&ed 0/t d/e to finan ial onstraint and many ot&er reasons, t&eir p/0li ation did not ontin/e i.e. Ros&ni, inBallB0, m/salman. 'n(lis& press "as not so &ealt&y at t&e time of independen e d/e to ed/ ational /nder de*elopment. ,ot a sin(le daily ne"spaper o/ld 0e p/0lis&ed from t&e area of 'ast Pakistan from 1973 till 1931. #&e first ne"s a(en y of Pakistan "as asso iated press of Pakistan >APP?. It "as esta0lis&ed in 19730y an 'astern ne"s tr/st. It "as a pri*ate a(en y from 1973 to 1961. -o*ernment took o*er its ontrol on 2t& C/ne 1961 0y an ordinan e alled DAsso iated Press of Pakistan takin( ordinan e 1961E Ft&er t&an APP, t&ere are si6 more ne"s a(en iesG Pakistan Press International >196!?, Pakistan A(en y >1992?, ,e"s ,et"ork International >1992? and 4nited ,e"s A(en y >4,A?.

Pakistan broadcasting corporation

At t&e time of independen e, t&ere "ere only t&ree radio stations in Ha&ore, Pes&a"ar and <&aka in Pakistan. Radio Pakistan Ha&ore 0road asted t&e ne"s of independen e Pakistan on 17t& 1973. Pakistan 0road %astin( %orporation "as esta0lis&ed in de 1932. It &as 0oard of dire tors onsistin( of a &airman, a dire tor (eneral and si6 dire tors.

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

Radio Pakistan
Radio is *ery effe ti*e and stron( media of mass omm/ni ation 0e a/se of its B/i kness, east a ess and infinite rea &. As Pakistan is a de*elopin( o/ntry, many areas of o/r o/ntry are "it&o/t ele tri ity, and litera y rates *ery lo" and means of omm/ni ation are adeB/ate. Radio is not only so/r e of information in se*eral areas, it is also playin( a *ital role in disseminatin( information a0o/t national poli ies of (o*ernment, &i(&li(&tin( t&e Islami Ideolo(i al 0asis of o/r o/ntry, pro*idin( entertainment to t&e listeners of different a(e (ro/ps, inform t&e listeners a0o/t t&e e*ents takin( pla e in t&e "orld and make t&em a"are of t&e (eneral information on &ealt&, ed/ ation and many ot&er t&in(s. Pakistan 0road astin( orporation &as 27 radio stations "&i & daily 0road asts pro(rams of (eneral entertainment. F*erall, Islama0ad emer(ed as t&e Imedia t&reat apitalJ of Pakistan, t&e pla e most dan(ero/s in t&e o/ntry to pra ti e @o/rnalism "it& no less t&an 173 of t&e 36! ases of *ario/s ate(ories of intimidation of t&e media re orded &ere. In t&e ity, d/rin( t&e period /nder re*ie", t&ree @o/rnalists "ere m/rdered, se*en "ere arrested, 2! "ere in@/red and 66 "ere &arassed or e6pli itly t&reatened "&ile t&ere "ere t&ree ases of atta ks on media properties and 73 instan es of (a( orders on media or(ani=ations. .ind& remained t&e se ond most dan(ero/s pla e to pra ti e @o/rnalism in Pakistan "it& a total of 93 :al/ &istan, 16 in ;A#A, a do=en in ACA and t&ree in ,ort&ern Areas. Ho" media s/ffered in Pakistan &istory11 )&at "as s&o kin( a0o/t t&e o/p "as t&at it "as not ostensi0ly a(ainst t&e (o*ernment of t&e day >M/s&arrafKs o"n? 0/t a(ainst t&e @/di iary and t&e media. :ot& "ere 0lamed for t&e deterioration of la" and order and proliferation of terrorism. D-lorifi ation of *iolen e 0y t&e media,E e6plained M/s&arraf, "as a ma@or fa tor in &is de ision to impose t&e emer(en y. '*en 0efore t&e emer(en y "as offi ially anno/n ed, dra onian /r0s "ere imposed on t&e media. #&e meas/res to ontrol and restrain t&e media in l/ded s/spension of 0road asts of all national and international ne"s &annels, e6 ept t&e do/r PTV, /ntil f/rt&er noti e. ,onL (o*ernment satellite #$ &annels "ere pre*ented from /p linkin( to satellites and 0anned from arria(e on domesti a0le net"orks L t&e so/r e t&ro/(& "&i & most Pakistanis &a*e a ess to independent #$ ne"s. At least 37 Pakistani &annels "ere taken off air, in l/din( a do=en pop/lar 27M3 /rrent affairs &annels s/ & as Geo TV, ARY TV, Aaj TV, Dawn News TV, KTN TV, and Khyber TV, as "ell as international ne"s &annels s/ & as CNN and BBC
International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5 7

ases of

intimidation and P/n@a0 t&ird "it& 7! ases "&ile 30 ases "ere re orded in ,);P, 23 in

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

Media Power: Promises and Pitfalls

Strengths

In reased media spa e N 70 pri*ate PakistanLo"ned #$ &annels, 130 ;M

stationsO 'n&an ed iti=en interest N *ie"ers&ip, listeners&ip in reasin( as "ell as intera tionO Hei(&tened politi al en(a(ement N iti=ens parti ipatin( on iss/es >ele tions, @/d(es, terrorism, e onomy, et ?O

-reater a"areness of entral iss/es >role of military, politi s of oalitions,

forei(n + domesti poli ies?O and

$i0rant de*elopment se tor and &i(&er p/0li profile for i*il so iety se tor

Weaknesses

Media e6pansion is too rapid N professionalism, standardi=ation, a/dien e

profilin( is la kin(O

Media ontent N t&ere are pro0lems of rele*an e, B/antity and B/alityO F*erLfo /s on ele toral politi s and politi al "&eelin( dealin( mi(&t lead to

Ipoliti s fati(/eJO

;ier er intraLmedia ompetition may lead to sensationalism as a Iratin(sJ

sol/tion >e.(., t&e foota(e of a poli e (/ard 0ein( r/n o*er 0y a s/i ide *e&i le in Ha&ore a/(&t on tape and played repeatedly on se*eral #$ &annels? Opportunities

Media pl/ralism N #$ >national, re(ional and forei(n?, radio >potential of 620

;M stations, a ordin( to P'MRA?, print >3 million ne"spaper ir /lation N only 12 million readers in a o/ntry of 162 million?O

Internet >20 million /sers and (ro"in(, fallin( pri es, faster speeds?O Mo0iles p&ones >!0 million /sers at start of 200! and (ro"in(?O

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

Media (oin( lo al N #$, radio in lo al lan(/a(es and t&erefore fo /sin( on

lo al iss/esG t&is an &elp e*ol*e lo al onsens/s and lo al sol/tions Threats

,onLinstit/tionali=ation of p/0li Linterest information >as /lt/re of se re y

"it&in (o*ernment offi es ontin/es?O

,o instit/tionali=ation >so people end /p "it& talk s&o"s as a s/0stit/te for

informationL0ased pro(rammin(, ase st/dies and &/man interest stories t&at &/mani=e iss/esO

Iss/es may remain a0stra t M p&ilosop&i al and not

iti=enL entri

and

a essi0le in a o/ntry "it& 0arely 20P litera yO

,onL iti=en stake&olders, not

iti=en (ro/ps keep lar(ely di tatin( ne"s

a(enda. Tele ision in Pakistan "as introd/ ed in 1967. !rdu channels :/siness &annels 'ntertainment &annels ;ood &annels Hifestyle and fas&ion &annels M/si &annels

Aids &annels ,e"s &annels Mis ellaneo/s &annels Mo*ie &annels Reli(io/s &annels .ports &annels
International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5 6

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

Qo/t& entertainment &annels "nglish channels ,e"s &annels Mo*ies &annels Metropolitan channels #ommunity tele ision #hannels for o erseas Pakistanis Regional channels .ind&i P/n@a0i :alo &i Aas&miriMPot&"ariMPa&ari .araiki Pas&to $irtual !ni ersity channels %nternational channels 'ntertainment &annels Aids &annels ,e"s &annels M/si &annels .ports &annels

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

Media in Pakistan
"When complaints are freely heard, deeply considered, and speedily reformed, then is the utmost bound of civil liberty attained, that wise men look for."-- Milton ,o po"er on t&is eart& an 0lo k t&e tr/t& as it is -od "&o, 0ein( t&e tr/t& Himself, (/ards it. ,o"&ere in &istory o/ld t&e tr/t& e*er 0e s/ppressed, it al"ays re*ealed itself in some ot&er form and "it& dan(ero/s onseB/en es. :ritis& p&ilosop&er Co&n .t/art Mill /nderlined t&e need for free spee & mainly for t&ree reasons. He 0elie*ed t&at freedom to read or "rite is an important element to e6pose and re*eal t&e tr/t&, to ens/re selfLde*elopment and selfLf/lfillment of iti=ens and to &elp ens/re parti ipation of t&e iti=ens in a demo ra y. #&e Pakistani media is an ent&/siasti mem0er of t&e ne" "arrior lan of t&e 21st ent/ry and despite 0elon(in( to "arLtorn o/ntry, is playin( a ti*e role in keepin( "it& t&e demands of t&e modern times. :y airin( di*er(ent *ie"s and en(a(in( in ross B/estionin( on si(nifi ant national and so ial iss/es t&e media refle ts and informs p/0li opinion and pra ti ally s&ares t&e task of t&e parliament. In*esti(ati*e reportin( and li*e dis /ssions an /ndermine t&e spell of many a ma(i ians. #&is &as fa ilitated p/0li a ess to t&e &it&erto /nseen "orkin(s of t&e politi al and 0/rea/ rati setL/p "&ile sim/ltaneo/sly &i(&li(&tin( t&e in@/sti es s/ffered 0y t&e ommon man as a res/lt of t&e s&ady pra ti es of t&e elite. After a si(nifi ant role of media in restorin( t&e @/di ial risis, media &as an /npre edented a0ility to a t as a atalyst in i*il so iety efforts to stren(t&en demo rati polity. #&e f/ndamental in(redient makin( demo ra y possi0le is t&e flo" of information. The media (plural of medium) electronic, print, cyber and internet ens/res t&is flo" of information. If restri ted, ensored or &indered in any "ay t&e people "ill remain i(norant, i(norant of e*ents, i(norant of t&eir ri(&ts, t&eir d/ty to t&e .tate, t&eir needs and t&e role t&at t&ey an play for t&e 0etterment of t&e so iety t&ey li*e in and t&e o/ntry as a "&ole. Ma a/lay alled t&e Press as ;o/rt& 'state of t&e (o*ernment, 0/t t&e ad*ent of te &nolo(y
International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5 9

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

t&e media &as (ained ne" dimension, (reat stren(t& and *ery s&arp transformin( t&e present a(e into information e6plosion. #&e media plays an e6tremely important role in transmittin( t&e laims of so ial, e onomi and politi al mo*ements to t&e de isionLmakers and t&e p/0li . A free press and ele troni media is an essential attri0/te today of a demo rati polity 0e a/se only t&ese so/r es of information an keep not only information flo"in( freely 0/t also &elp maintain a onstant dialo(/e 0et"een t&e poli y makers and t&e masses.

%mportance of Media %n Pakistan

Media and C/di iary are t"o independent pillars to sa*e t&e o/ntry from s/dden slippa(e. C/di iary p/t do"n n/m0er of (ood de isions in &er little a(e of independen e "&i & is only one year. )&ereas media is older t&en @/di iary and it s&o"s no positi*e alterations in peopleKs attit/de to"ards t&e ridi /lo/s &an(e. Hen e "e an say t&at in Pakistan t&e responsi0ility of media is m/ & more t&en any media in t&e "orld, 0e a/se Pakistan needs a 0i( &an(e and only media is no", as m/ & po"erf/l. At present media is t&e only so/r e "&i & is easily a essi0le 0y all "alks of people t&ro/(& *ario/s ele troni applian es i.e. #$, Radio, Internet, ,e"s Papers and no" mo0ile p&ones also /sed 0y people to a"are of e*ents e*ery time. Media affe ts peopleKs per eptions and priorities t&eir t&inkin( a0o/t t&e politi al ontents. Media s&apes t&e p/0li Ks 0e&a*ior a0o/t t&e iss/es and plays *ital role in &i(&li(&tin( ertain attri0/tes of iss/es. -atekeepers of t&e media i.e. >editors, ne"s editors, and ot&er @o/rnalists? t&ey all play entral role in s&apin( t&e media a(enda "&i & 0e omes p/0li a(enda after sometime. Media of any o/ntry is refle tion of t&at o/ntry. It s&o"s t&at &o" person 0e&a*e and li*e in t&eir o/ntry. #&e "ay of e6pressin( ne"s, "ay of talkin( of politi ians in politi al de0ates and dis /ssion pro(rams s&o"s t&e 0e&a*ior of people of t&at o/ntry. Alt&o/(& mediaKs responsi0ility is to spread tr/e stories 0/t media s&o/ld 0e aref/l in t&is re(ard. #&ey &a*e to adopt s/ & a "ay in "&i & t&ey o/ld a"are

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

10

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

p/0li "it&o/t impa tin( ne(ati*ely t&eir mind sets and make t&em a0le to protest in a tr/e manner "&i & o/ld res/lt oriented.

How did T$ #hannels "merged in Pakistan

./rprisin(ly, t&e free ele troni media in Pakistan "as initiated 0y a di tator -eneral M/s&arraf, t&o/(& &e &ad &is o"n interests to present &imself as a demo rat President 0efore t&e )est. -ro"t& of .atellite system fa ilitated it te &ni al side. President M/s&arraf to pro@e t 'nli(&tened Moderation and demo rati ima(e. M/ltinationalsJ ad*ertisements pro*ided &/(e in ome to make t&e 0/siness *ia0le. #&e peoplesJ interest in "at &in( t&eir iss/es instead of traditional dramas and mo*ies. #&e "orld after 9M11 and talk s&o"s (ot t&e attention of t&e Pakistanis and t&e M/slim "orld. #alented an &or persons 0e ame t&e *oi e of t&e people. ;e"er readers&ips and more *ie"er s&ip d/e to 0/sy life spread t&e /lt/re of "at &in(. A*aila0ility of #$ sets d/e to %&ina imports and &eap man/fa t/rin( in Pakistan. ,e" lo al (o*ernment system in 2001 and 2002 t&e /r(en y to pro*ide ele troni media at t&e (rassLroots le*el. Allo"in( media freedom "as not a esta0lis&ments. It "as t&eir omp/lsion. </rin( t&e Aar(il &oi e for PakistanJs onfli t t&e Pakistani

esta0lis&ment &ad learnt t&e 0itter lesson t&at P#$ ommanded only a limited a/dien e. People "at &ed Ree ,e"s and ot&er Indian &annels to (et t&e ot&er side of t&e story. In t&is 0a kdrop it "as de ided t&e Pakistan needed its o"n independent ele troni media &annels.

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

11

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

Western Media and need for local Media

#&e )estern Media %o*er IraB, or Af(&anistan, )M<. A.S. A&an, Hondon 0om0in(s, PopeJs remarks a0o/t Islam or Islama0ad a(reement "it& tri0al elders in .o/t& )a=iristan, 0/t "it& its o"n omments and s&o"in( one as Hero and ot&er as $illain. #&e "orld is in t&e (rip of )ar of Media. Co&ann -alt/n(, a distin(/is&ed @o/rnalist, maintains t&at media pro@e ts *iolen e "it&o/t analy=in( its a/ses for /nresol*ed iss/es portrays one side asJ I'*ilJ and t&e ot&er as IHi0erator.J Ae*in <oyle B/otes t&e t&eory of IPropa(anda ModelJ and e6plains t&at t&e modern "it&in *illa(e t&e Media (lo0al is promotes t&e di*ision "&i &

en&an in( inse /rity. #&e 4. ontrolled media, Islam is and

"estern 0lamin(

M/slims as terrorists. If some M/slims are terrorists, it does not pro*e o*er a 0illion M/slims are terrorists. ;ormer President %:. ,e"s, Ri &ard .alient re*eals, DF/r @o0 is to (i*e people not "&at t&ey "ant, 0/t "e de ide t&ey o/(&t to &a*e.E

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

12

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

Miracles of "lectronic Media

ModernLday ele troni media, on t&e ot&er &and, &as employed ad*an ed te &nolo(y to "a(e a 0loodless "ar in t&e form of in*esti(ati*e reportin( and li*e de0ates. #&e om0ined /sa(e of a/ditory and *is/al sensory per eptions 0y t&e ele troni media an s/ eed in stim/latin( deep emotions and sensations. #ele*ised ne"s is t&e most po"erf/l medi/m today, espe ially in Pakistan "&ere t&e litera y rate is e6tremely lo". </e to impa t of #$ &annels, t&e people are more informed. #&e ele troni media, alon( "it& t&e print media, often riti i=e t&e (o*ernment for (oin( a(ainst t&e spirit of t&e onstit/tion, *iolatin( demo rati traditions and 0ein( /na o/nta0le to t&e p/0li at lar(e for inflation, /nemployment, po*erty, deterioration of t&e la" and order sit/ation and &i(&&andedness a(ainst opposition. It an 0e /sed as a moti*ational for e to 0rin( onsens/s on *ital iss/es like ed/ ation and &ealt&. #&e tr/t& is t&at t&e si(nifi an e of t&e media as a medi/m of inter onne tedness of &/man affairs annot 0e /ndermined in an a(e of rapid (lo0ali=ation. It seems to &a*e o*ertaken t&e press in forms of impa t on t&e tar(et pop/lation in as m/ & as it reprod/ es e*ents and &ara ters on t&e s reen dire tly and promptly. #&e ad*ent of independent #$ &annels in t&e o/ntry s/0stantially transformed o/r /lt/re and politi al dis o/rse. #ele*ision is far more effe ti*e per*asi*e, intensi*e and (rap&i t&an print media. Its impa t on t&e p/0li mind is s/0stantially &i(&er t&an t&at of t&e print media. Hi*e o*era(e on tele*ision not only pro*ides /s "it& t&e most /pLtoLdate information a0o/t e*ents 0/t also en(a(es t&e *ie"er in a "ay t&at print media annot do t&e in t&e same "ay. It is /s/ally laimed t&at t&e @o0 of t&e media is t&e dispassionate presentation of fa ts. #&e fa t is t&at t&e @o0 of t&e media person is not to ser*e as a post offi e 0/t more importantly to ed/ ate t&e p/0li t&ro/(& informed reportin( so as to fa ilitate as o0@e ti*e an opinion formation as possi0le. A free media t&at "orks ons ientio/sly an ser*e as t&e olle ti*e ons ien e at t&e national and international le*el. #&is, &o"e*er, is often easier said t&an done.

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

13

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

#&e reporter or @o/rnalist is after all &/man and endo"ed "it& 0iases and in some ases pre@/di es and as "it& all po"er 0ases t&e media too is */lnera0le to t&e orr/ption of t&e a0sol/te po"er. #&ere "ill al"ays 0e t&ose in t&eir ranks "&o an 0e 0o/(&t "it& as& or perks or promises of paradise. :/t t&en t&ere "ill al"ays 0e t&ose "&o are not p/r &asa0le 0e a/se t&ey kno" t&at t&eir reportin( an make or 0reak indi*id/als, omm/nities and nations LL a &ea*y 0/rden indeed.

Positi e & 'egati e effects of media in different aspects of life

ositive !ffects
International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5 17

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

Political (nalysis #&e skilled and 0old personality of an &or person raises peopleJs *oi e and learly asks t&e real point of t&e risis. #&ey analy=e (o*ernment a tions, eit&er in fa*or or a(ainst t&e masses and de*elop t&e opinions of t&e e6perts. Media is ser*in( as tr/e demo rati notion of peopleJs parti ipation. #&e (eneral peoplesJ riti ism, analysis, and omments are added. "&i & also a t as a at&arsis. #&e r/lin( feel s&ame "&ile speakin( 0l/ff in li*e s&o"s 0efore t&e millions of t&e iti=ens. Media s/ essf/lly informs t&e "&ole "orld a(ainst any in@/sti e and s&o"s "orldJ riti ism "&i & ompel t&e (o*ernment to &an(e its a/to rati orders. "conomic )ebate .&o"s (o*ernmentJs pro@e ts internationally to (et forei(n in*estment 0y pro@e tin( t&e 0enefits of t&e enterprise.

Ad*ertisin( to maintain ompetition amon( *ario/s ompanies "&i & fa ilitates t&e p/0li . Hike mo0ile p&ones and t&eir lo"erin( pri es.

It represents ne" 0/siness trends (oin( in t&e "orld and offerin( t&e ne" opport/nities for t&e in*estors. Performan e of sto k e6 &an(e keeps /pdate t&e in*estors. .preads te &ni al ed/ ation to learn t&e "orkin( of t&e ma &inery. Social (wareness: :rin( t&e "orld at doorstep "it& its *ario/s trends, olors and life styles. %&an(es moods and 0e&a*ior of people from onser*ati*e to li0eral.

:old topi s t&ro/(& dramas and talk s&o"s to p/rify t&e so iety from s/perstitions, e*ils and fake stories.

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

12

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

,e" &o/se&old styles to /p(rade t&e li*in( standards. -/ides t&e yo/t& for ne" opport/nities and to ompete "it& t&e "orld in all fields of life. %reates i*i sense. Religion #larifications: A/t&enti information 0y t&e ompetent s &olars instead of narro" minded and i(norant leri s "&o &a*e &an(ed t&e "orld into &ell. .ol/tions of ans"ers of p/0li sJ B/estions "&i & remain /n&eared and /ne6plained.

Hi(&li(&ts reli(io/s e*ents like Mo&ram, 'id, Maira@ and t&e &oly Ramadan. enli(&tened 4lamas.

.e tarian &armony is minimi=ed 0y p/ttin( for"ard t&e *ie"s of ompetent and

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

16

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

"e#ative !ffects$
Political gimmick: :la kmailin( 0y t&e media persons to (et personal (ains as no" pra ti ally, media is not ans"era0le 0efore any instit/tion. .ensationalism of ne"s to (et &eap pop/larity. #o s&o" one as '*il and ot&er as Hi0erator 0y ontin/o/sly repeatin( t&e omments or *is/als.

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

13

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

Social " ils:

$/l(arity d/e to inflo" of forei(n /lt/re. #&e 'n(lis& and Indian &annels are affe tin( t&e moral of t&e yo/t&. #ime "asta(e d/e to onstant "at &in( t&e dramas. More materialism 0y diminis&in( simpli ity. -eneration (ap is in reasin( on a o/nt of fast approa & to"ards life.

Religious impressions: )eakenin( reli(io/s impressions d/e to forei(n /lt/re and time "asta(e. PakistanKs media s&o/ld /nderstand t&at it presents t&e o/ntry "&i & is of &i(& importan e not only for Islami "orld 0/t also for pea e in "&ole "orld. Media s&o/ld 0e ome &i(&ly sensiti*e to"ards its responsi0ilities "&ile presentin( t&is o/ntry to t&e "orld and (/idin( t&e people of Pakistan to 0rin( o/t t&e o/ntry from t&e sea of iss/es. PakistanKs media tell t&e "orld t&at "&at is Pakistan in fa t, "&at t&ink of Pakistani people to"ards "orld iss/e. It depi ts t&e /lt/re of Pakistan. It is its responsi0ility to tell t&e "&ole "orld t&at "&at is Islam
International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5 1!

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

and "&at are impli ations of Islam in Pakistan. Most of &ot &annels of media are &i(&ly politi i=ed "&ereas t&ey s&o/ld o*er /lt/ral and reli(io/s norms and *al/es of Pakistan. .ome of t&e media &annels are totally Islami "&ereas ot&ers are &i(&ly /ltra mod. #&is s&o"s e6isten e of t"o totally different /lt/res in Pakistan "&ereas Pakistan "as a &ie*ed on t&e name of Islam "&i & &as one :ook, one Prop&et >P.:.4.H?, one Alla& and one /lt/re. #&is type of media "it& totally t"o different se tors reatin( a /lt/ral (ap in Pakistan. #&is /lt/ral (ap is in reasin( &atred (ro/ps. F/r media s&o"in( "orld e6isten e of t"o totally

different /lt/res in Pakistan and dire ts people to di*ide in t"o (ro/ps one "it& f/ndamental t&o/(&ts and ot&er "it& se /lar t&o/(&ts. ;or a pea ef/l en*ironment and a demo rati /lt/re, it is important for all media &annels to preser*e real /lt/re of Pakistan "&i & is neit&er e6tremist and, nor /ltra mod.

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

19

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

#hallenges to Media
#&e *iolen e stri ken areas like ;A#A, :alo &istan, and t&e @o/rnalists are terri0ly */lnera0le.. It &as /r0ed t&e free flo" of information. Pakistan is fa in( onfli t of ideolo(ies onser*ati*e is 0y and 0et"een se /lar

approa &es. #&erefore media a/tio/s in de0atin( on 0i( (ro/ps is also s/ & sensiti*e iss/es o0str/ tin( t&e e6pansion of smaller &annels. #&e (o*ernment indire tly restri ts media 0y "it&&oldin( ad*ertisements PAM'RA &a*e freB/ently t&reatened to an el t&e li ense. Also ot&er (o*ernment a(en ies press/ri=e. #&e politi al iss/es are so de0ated t&at ot&er so ial, reli(io/s and psy &olo(i al aspe ts are not properly addressed. #&o/(& t&e media as an instit/tion en@oys enormo/s po"er and infl/en e, media or(ani=ations are not &arity &o/sesG t&ey operate as 0/sinesses and &a*e ommer ial interests. #&ere is a nat/ral tenden y to ind/l(e in orr/ption and malpra ti e "&en an instit/tion en@oys a0sol/te po"er, parti /larly in t&e a0sen e of a stron( system of a o/nta0ility.

The *o ernment erses Media

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5 20

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

F/r o/ntry is rapidly driftin( to"ards destr/ tion d/e to t&e e*erLin reasin( orr/ption and poor (o*ernan e. .in e independen e, orr/ption and mismana(ement &a*e 0e ome ommon norms. ,o" media &as to "ork &ard to s"eep t&e dirt. As a res/lt, t&e (o*ernment onsiders it as &/miliation and defeat. #&e an &ors like Aamran k&an, <r .&a&id Masood, Hamid Mir, l/Bman M/0as&er, #alat H/ssain et . &a*e s/ essf/lly riti i=ed missin( people, steel mills ase, Aerry H/(ar 0ill, ,RF, rental pro@e tors, *i timi=ation 0y mem0ers of t&e assem0lies and t&e inside stories of <'AH. "it& ea & ot&er. #&is (o*ernment &as no a0ility or a morally /pri(&t reso/r e to take o(ni=an e of itO o/r attorneyL(eneral &as resi(ned d/e to orr/ption &ar(es, t&e minister for parliamentary affairs &as 0een named in a orr/ption ase in*ol*in( tens of million r/pees and it is needless to mention t&e ond/ t of o/r e6L &ief @/sti e A0d/l Hameed <o(ar. #&e 0annin( of Meray Mutabiq is /na epta0le to 130 million Pakistanis "&o 0elie*e in t&e freedom of spee &. #&is is an atta k on free spee & and t&e media 0y t&e /rrent re(ime "&i & m/st 0e resisted. <r .&a&id Masood &as 0een 0rin(in( t&e fa ts 0efore t&e nation. He is a professional @o/rnalist and m/st 0e allo"ed to ontin/e &is s&o".

Sensationalism in the Media

)&at is sensationalism1 <o( 0ites Man. #&is is old ne"s. )e already kno" t&e o/t ome. Man 0ites <o(. #&is is sensationalismG it immediately stirs t&e listenerJs mind and is t&e a/se for (reat &ype. #&e dramati 0a k(ro/nd m/si , ima(es of las&es 0et"een se /rity offi ials and i*ilians, and riots all form a part of sensationalism, enti in( t&e *ie"er to t/rn on t&e tele*ision set. )&ate*er t&e tr/t&, does not matter, tele*ision is sellin(, makin( money and t&at is t&e tr/e moti*e.

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

21

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

Fn t&e ot&er &and t&e (ro"in( trend in 0road ast media for attra tin( an &ors on &ea*y rem/nerations, an &ors "&o possess skills of reatin( sensationalism and "&o spi e ne"s "it& &ypot&esis, is an e6ample of &o" media &annels are departin( from o0@e ti*ity and 0alan ed reportin(. ;/rt&ermore, t&e freB/ent s"it &in( of an &ors from one &annel to anot&er mainly for e onomi (ains in /tter disre(ard of t&e 0asi et&os of t&e @o/rnalisti profession also s/pports t&e ar(/ment t&at 0road ast media in Pakistan is &eaded for o*erL ommer iali=ation. #&ese &annels sometimes most of t&e time &a*e 0een (/ilty of o*erLdoin( t&in(s "it& t&eir momentL0yLmoment ommentary. -i*e t&em some time >a de ade at leastT?, t&eyJll mat/re o*er time. Also t&ey "o/ld @/st /t any0ody, a politi ian "o/ld 0e t&ere talkin( and t&ey "ill /t &im in t&e middle sayin( 0/&at 0/&at s&/kriya app ka. </rin( t&e Hal mas@id episode s&e e*en on e said to <- I.PR app Ba/m ko koi pe(&am dena &a&in (e. &e said, :: main ya&an apni d/ty de ra&a &oon, Ba/m ko pe(&am dene na&in aya. #&e laim of ./0 se pe&ley &as started a mad ra e. #&e media &as reali=ed its po"er and a0ility to penetrate an inno ent mind and t&ey are e6er isin( it so sa*a(ely. #&e pri*ate &annels are o"ned 0y 0i( in*estors "it& a p/rpose to en&an e 0/siness. #&ey &a*e to afford massi*e e6penses, so, ompetition to e6 el ot&ers makes t&em irresponsi0le. In order to attra t more *ie" s&ip and res/ltantly more ommer ialsLt&ey e*en sometimes for(et t&e dama(e a/sed to national interest. A 0old and 0l/nt an &or person /ndermines t&e set standards. #&e petty e*ents are &ei(&tened. #iny is made mi(&ty and *i e *ersaLon t&e (ro/nds of personal (r/d(es or at t&e 0e&est of t&e o"ners.

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

22

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

Moreo*er still, t&e mood of t&e p/0li is not as mat/re as in t&e stron( demo ra ies d/e to la k of ed/ ation and "eak so iopoliti al and /lt/ral norms.

#auses of #ontrolled Media

#&e imperial &erita(e &as 0een &allmark a0o/t politi s. In Pakistan, not only t&e di tators 0/t also t&e i*ilians r/lers took /n onstit/tional steps, o*ered t&eir o"n orr/ption alon( "it& t&eir asso iates. Internal orr/ption of @/di iary all "ere only possi0le "it& a /r0ed media.

,arro" minded reli(io/s parties on e t&e 0l/e eyed 0oys of t&e military restri ted media freedom. Media &as 0een t&e fear of e*ery (eneral after takin( o*er t&e (o*ernment. #&e illiterate masses &a*e 0een e6ertin( =ero press/re on t&e poli y makers. #&e reason for different *ie"s are t&e in*estors. If a party or instit/tion in*ests in t&e media, t&ey "ant to see t&eir o"n *ie"s refle ted. #&e *ie"s refle ted are not ne essarily of t&e p/0li , nor of t&e employees, rat&er, t&e *ie"s of t&ose "&o pay "a(es to t&ese employees, in t/rn s&apin( not only t&eir *ie", 0/t also t&e p/0li .

%orporate 0arons "&o o"n a lar(e &/nk of t&e Pakistani Media o0eyed t&e offi ial orders to (et monetary 0enefits. Pakistan &as failed to spa"n a free and fair politi al /lt/re att/ned to t&e e6pe tations of its people. Co/rnalists &a*e 0een intimated and &/miliated 0y t&e

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

23

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

deni=ens of po"er and t&eir a(ents. #&e *i(ilantes of t&e politi al parties, tooL espe ially t&e reli(ionLoriented onesLalso ontri0/te (enero/sly to makin( t&e li*es of @o/rnalists misera0le. '*eryone "ants t&e @o/rnalists to o0ey t&eir orders.

Suggestions
#&e media as an instit/tion and fo/rt& estate is a o/nta0le to t&e p/0li la". Het t&e media introd/ e an internal s &eme of 4ndo/0tedly, t&is is an /p&ill task. A o/nta0ility of t&e media is not possi0le /nder t&e disp/ted re(/latory re(ime. Media or(ani=ations and i*il so iety s&o/ld @ointly onstit/te a ommission for t&is task. #&e re ent omin( to(et&er of se*eral leadin( #$ &annels to frame r/les for terrorism o*era(e is a step in t&e ri(&t dire tion. #&is mo*e may &elp p/r(e t&e elements a0/sin( t&e po"er of t&e media in *iolation of t&e p/0li mandate. #&e aim of media a ti*ism s&o/ld 0e to stren(t&en t&e "eak and */lnera0le se(ments of so iety. It is t&ey "&o need o/r s/pport, a ti*ism is not merely reportin( 0/t it in*ol*es deep passion and resear &. )&ile o*erin( a 0i( story, espe ially in t&e "ar =ones, t&e &/man sides of a onfli t are often i(nored 0y t&e (eneral media. Here media a ti*ism an play its tr/e role in remindin( t&e "orld of t&e miseries and s/fferin(s of t&e i(nored se(ments of so iety. In t&e same onte6t t&e ,RF &as made e*en t&e &i(&est offi e of t&e o/ntry B/estiona0le. In s/ & an en*ironment it is t&e &onest and strai(&tLfor"arded media "&i & an make some differen e 0y a tin( as a press/re (ro/p and t&e re ent a tion of t&e (o*ernment amo/nts to treason. ;irst and foremost, media m/st &elp in sta0ili=in( t&e national instit/tions and national so ioLe onomi , politi al and administrati*e str/ t/re 0y pointin( o/t t&e flo" and appre iatin( any rod "ork done 0y t&e -o*ernment or .tate instit/tions and
International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5 27

and

responsi0le for its a tions. Media pra titioners s&o/ld stop t&inkin( t&ey are a0o*e t&e &e ks and 0alan es.

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

or(ani=ations in pri*ate se tor. .er*in( t&e o/ntry &onestly and sin erely m/st 0e pro@e ted. #&e need to stren(t&en o/r so ioL /lt/ral and ideolo(i al fo/ndations "as ne*er so (reat as it is today. #&ere is /lt/ral in*asion from t&e )est and Indian #$ &annels and %a0le #$ net"orks. F/r *al/es are 0ein( atta ked and are in dan(er. Media m/st 0/ild o/r onfiden e and fait& in o/r *al/es. )e as *ie"er s&o/ld mend o/rsel*es, so t&at "e may not 0e arried a"ay "it& t&e media &ype. )e s&o/ld kno" "&en t o stop *ie"in( t&e repeated &ysteri s. Media (oin( t&ro/(& a t/r0/lent transition, "it& a ne" fo/nd li0erties. It is &oped t&ey "ill settle to a saner post/re in d/e o/rse. It m/st reate a pride in o/r (lorio/s past, o/r /lt/re and o/r "ay of li*in(. Pakistan is t&e se*ent& atomi po"er in t&e "orld and t&e only M/slim o/ntry, "&i & &as a &ie*ed t&is stat/s. #&is is a matter of (reat pride and presti(e. )e &a*e mat 0ea/tif/l normati*e and so ial *al/e str/ t/re, "&i & needs to 0e preser*ed, promoted and stren(t&ened. Media m/st &elp s/stain onfiden e in o/r national instit/tions s/ & as parliament, armed for es and o/r so ial str/ t/re. 'rosion of s/ & onfiden e in o/r instit/tional setL/p an 0e dan(ero/s. All pro0lems and iss/es s/ & as relatin( to f/n tionin( of o/r instit/tional frame"ork &a*e to 0e e6plained effe ti*ely to t&e people so t&at t&ey de*elop a positi*e opinion and attit/de. At present, "e are li*in( in a "orld, "&i & is mo*in( too fast. And in t&e ens/in( din and noise masses m/st 0e &elped 0y t&e mass media to see t&in(s learly so t&at t&ey are not misled. #&e prime o0@e ti*e of media m/st 0e national sta0ility in all its dimensions. A so ial and politi al limate needs to 0e reated in "&i & people o/ld en(a(eLt&emsel*es in

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

22

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

positi*e and &ealt&y a ti*ities and de*elopment.

o/ld

ontri0/te to t&e o*erall national

#&e feelin(s of desponden y, fr/stration and de*iant tenden ies need to 0e ne/trali=ed. Fnly an effe ti*e media, an do t&is.

#&is also pla es far (reater responsi0ility on t&e s&o/lders of t&ose r/nnin( its affairs. #&e nat/re of t&eir f/n tions is s/ & t&at all t&ose in*ol*ed in t&e pro ess in l/din( reporters, analysts, an &ors, editorial staff and t&e mana(ement are reB/ired to make diffi /lt &oi e e*ery day. It is essential for t&eir redi0ility t&at t&ey remain *isi0ly impartial, e*en&anded and demand from t&e passions of t&e moment.

A system of @o/rnalisti a o/nta0ility, 0ot& internal and e6ternal, is in pla e on t&e ne"s side, "&i & leads to more responsi0le reportin( and editin(.

#&e s/dden 0oom in t&e media &as led to se*ere s&orta(es of trained manpo"er, so t&at people an 0e appointed to positions t&at reB/ire more @o/rnalisti e6perien e t&an t&ey really &a*e.

#&e print and 0road ast media m/st make e*ery effort to ens/re t&at t&eir o*era(e is fa t/al, 0alan ed and informed. Hi*e pi t/res m/st 0e responsi0ly 0road ast.

What should be the Role of Media in Pakistan+

#&e media mainly tele*ision &as 0e ome t&e main storytellin( *e&i le and t&e @o/rnalists &a*e 0e ome t&e key players in le(end makin( and identity 0/ildin(. Professional @o/rnalists are responsi0le to reate a sense of 0elon(in( and to en o/ra(e t&e yo/t& of Pakistan to 0e&a*e like a responsi0le Pakistani. Fn t&e ontrary, Pakistani media &as taken a ompletely ne" dire tion and is determined to reate a dreadf/l sit/ation in t&e name of Ifreedom of pressJ. #&e ompetition &as (one so fier e t&at t&ey need ne(ati*e tools to in rease t&eir #RPs "&i & res/lts in &/(e re*en/e
International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5 26

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

&/nks. Is t&is "&at t&ey are "orkin( for1 #&e effort s&o/ld 0e fo /sed to s/pport t&e national ima(e rat&er t&an &i(&li(&tin( t&e most &armf/l and depressin( ne"s to deLmoti*ate t&e ommon man in Pakistan. It is not (ood to ome /p "it& s/ & omments t&at o/r media "orks as paid "orkers of o/r ri*als, 0/t sometimes, yo/ are strained to prono/n e it. Media &as al"ays 0een a /niB/e and sop&isti ated (ro/nd to play on "&en "e talk a0o/t ima(e 0/ildin( It is (ood to 0e tr/t&f/l, 0/t "&en "e talk a0o/t national interest, itJs o/r o0li(atory to 0e noiseless on ertain instan es so t&e iss/es an 0e sorted o/t "it&in o/r o"n people "it&o/t 0ein( infl/en ed or arried a"ay 0y t&e international omm/nity "&o "ill ne*er ome for"ard to e6tend t&eir s/pport to resol*e o/r domesti pro0lem. #&ey "ill take ad*anta(e of t&e sit/ation and "ill "ork on t&eir a(ed tale of Idi*ide and r/leJ. Ima(e 0/ildin( is more likely to prod/ e desira0le per eptions "&en a tion onforms to t&e pro@e ted ima(es. It is important to identify a fa t t&at t&at it is easy to maintain an old ne(ati*e ima(e or to (ain a ne" ne(ati*e ima(e, 0/t, it is e6tremely diffi /lt to 0/ild a ne" positi*e ima(e of a o/ntry. #o p/t it in a different "ay t&at it is painless to 0e 0randed "it& a &orrifi ima(e and *ery &ard to re tify and &eal t&e "o/nd. Media are s"appin( diplomats. <iplomati profession is 0ein( /nder /t 0y t&e arri*al of (lo0al tele*ision. In t&is re(ard, diplomats are on*entionally o /pied in intelli(en e (at&erin(, ne(otiation, reportin( and representation. ,o instit/tion is perfe t in t&is "orld, so is t&e media, and still t&ere is still a &/(e s ope for impro*ement "&ere media an "ork a ordin( to t&e aspirations of t&e people of Pakistan "&ere t&ey "ant to /lti*ate t&e attit/de of IPakistan ;irstJ in e*ery Pakistani. Media is like a "at &do( in a demo ra y t&at keeps (o*ernment a ti*e. )it& t&e passa(e of time it &as 0e ome a more mat/red and a more responsi0le entity. :/t fe" talk s&o"s and pro(rams are reB/ired to 0e monitored "&o portrays a ne(ati*e ima(e of t&e o/ntry in t&e name of a/tonomy of press. -o*ernment media and t&e pri*ate se tor s&o/ld remem0er t&at mana(in( and reatin( a positi*e ima(e 0/ildin( is 0y far a olossal task. ItJs no more a matter of &oi e, itJs a prereB/isite in present dayJs sit/ation. ItJs a0o/t time t&at o/r media m/st "ork on t&e Positi*e Ima(e of Pakistan.

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

23

Role of media in Pakistan April 29, 2010

#onclusion
#&is is an era of satellite tele*isions, internet onne ti*ity, and mo0ile telep&ony. #o s/mmari=e, media an &elp sta0ili=e and stren(t&en t&e o/ntry 0y playin( ed/ ational and informati*e role and 0y impartin( kno"led(e to t&e masses as kno"led(e is po"er and only a "ellLinformed so iety an de*elop a positi*e approa & to"ards fife. #&e o0@e ti*e of media freedom an 0e reali=ed only "&en p/0li tr/st and onfiden e reposed in t&e media is respe ted and prote ted 0y t&e media itself 0y a tin( as a tr/e "at &do(, keepin( an eye on t&e (o*ernment on 0e&alf of t&e p/0li . D;reedom of ons ien e, of ed/ ation, of spee &, of assem0ly, is amon( t&e *ery

f/ndamentals of demo ra y and all of t&em "o/ld 0e n/llified if freedom of t&e press 0e s/ essf/lly &allen(ed,E maintained 4. president Roose*elt.

References:
www.civicus.org/new/media/pakistan www.asiamedia.ucla.edu www.fizanews www.pressreference.com www.dailytimes.com.pk

International Islami 4ni*ersity, Islama0ad 5

2!