Pakistan’s
Media is in an embryonic state- this is the principal argument, which is being
given, in relation to Pakistani Media ,
when its demerits are under-discussion. How long this state can persist? In
fact with the commercialization of the Media, many factors are stitched to the
wayward growth of it. The reader and viewers are being devoid of ‘journalism of
news content’ and commercial colors become dominant feature of present Media
Realm.
It is exactly what happened to the classical and neo-classical mega
hits, which transform into another ‘genre’, by remixing with rap or ‘jhankar’
music. I do agree that journalism in modern
era is more or less, commercialized.
What we identify in the present circumstances is'" the conduct of a
journalist in the factual reporting and tailored/influenced reporting" .
With
the passage of time, the mushroom growth of TV Channels, not only opened the
Media market but also a Media or Information Industry gets roots. Since the
Mushraf Era, the media house owners realized , the importance of its role in
the power structure of Pakistan, they started manipulating the things in
accordance to their own whims. The restoration campaign of Chief Justice
Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary , by the civil society and Lawyers community is an
eye-opener for the owners of the media houses. The ‘ball-to-ball’ commentary of
“the Restoration Campaign” , on TV
channels shocked the military dictator General Musharaf , who was forced to
quit the power, later ‘honorably escaped’ to UK.
Pakistan’s
political set up , at the surface, is corrupt and it becomes a lucrative
business to invest (mostly black money) in the elections and then earn through
the power as a parliamentarian. As witnessed, the Media owners have also
started minting money by exploiting corrupt politicians, anti-people Civil
Establishment, to the extent, exposing the sacred Cow- the Military
Establishment.
In
this game of power and money, the media owners start influencing, directly or
indirectly each and every news item, being telecasted. Certainly, they have
adopted a role of ‘power broker’.
To
achieve their lusty pursuits, the media owner first destroyed the institution
of ‘Editor’, ‘News Editor’ and start dictating the terms to their own anchors
and journalists, through their ‘ kitchen cabinet’ or team of new manipulators.
Whatever,
an employee journalist writes column, article or posts news items , is mostly
cleared from the’ HQ, under the new strategy ’. SO the role of an independent
journalist is drastically reduced. The sudden surge in salaries and rapid
shuffle or reshuffle of ‘Talk Shows’ anchors, personify the flow of immense
wealth, through the power of broker-ship. Almost every anchor acts on behalf of
their owners--- rightly and sarcastically termed these anchors as “ Siayasi
Adaakar” by Asif Zardari. The corrupt political set-up, gave a stir to media,
to play their role in the mainstream political scenario.
The
power ‘Qalam’ and ‘ Camera’ , has been purchased. The journalists who react to
the ‘violation of the principles of journalism’ are either sidelined or sacked.
The power of money and perks overshadowed, what is called “Professionalism”. In this whole game of power, a professional
working journalist is ‘the most affected individual’, whose job is insecure and
can be kicked out, whatever stature he or she holds.
Today,
prominent news channels have rather dangerously attained the ability to sway
public opinion (with their sometimes heavily opinionated broadcasting). From
airing uncensored violence, showing political ‘cat fights’ to calling
government functionaries the ‘mafia’, media ethics have often been kept at bay
with the excuse of freedom of expression. While media freedom is still much
celebrated in Pakistan and acts as the self-proclaimed savior of the Pakistani
people, a combination of unprofessional news channels, political
debates-cum-public-bashing-of-politicians and public brainwashing through
airing loaded caricatures that call for moral righteousness, all point to the
fact that the media industry in Pakistan is still very juvenile. Perhaps eight
years is not long enough to attain maturity and professionalism. The media in
Pakistan is fast turning into a self-serving (rather than public-serving)
industry an industry that glorifies itself, is self-righteous and, most
discomforting of all, and has a huge persecution complex.
First
time in the history of Pakistan, the accountability of journalists, is demanded
by the civil society and the
intelligentsia. The Malik Riaz Saga, opened Pandora-box of journalists, got
money, luxury cars, plots and foreign trips etc, to protect the interests of
Land mafia and glorify the ‘deeds’. Many Media groups are utilizing their
anchors to protect their financial interests viz a viz government of Pakistan.
Reportedly, tax evasion by some groups and securing financial aid in any shape
by these power-brokers, is openly in practice . These power-brokers , are
masterly creating professional and commercial rivalries among journalists, it
not only damaged the credibility of their competitors but also imposed a threat
of vulnerability of employee journalists. In this whole game of power, media
owners, spared themselves from direct criticism of the masses.
The
media managers of the government failed to justify the allocation of Secret
Funds meant for journalists , in Supreme Court. The Apex Court freezed SS Fund
of billions of rupees, with immediate effect. They tried to buy the professional
sympathies through highest civil awards to some journalists , which is
unprecedented , in the history of Pakistan. So far government is waiting the
‘positive outcome’ of the ‘temptation’.
The
News content in Media is reducing day by day, because of the very reason . Now
the only threat to the owners of Print and electronic media is- the Social
Media…. They are being exposed on this platform – Shaheen Sehbai syndrome,
leakage of Malik Riaz / Mubasher Luqman off the Camera chat etc, and
accountability for the corrupt journalists are being voiced at social
Media. Despite all the oddities, new TV
channels are in the offing and many more new newspapers are appearing to grab
or twist the public opinion for their vested interests, before and after the
forthcoming General Elections.
