Pakistan

Of ringmasters and circuses

Written

3 years ago

Feb 24, 2021 01:33 AM

Malik Asim Dogar

Pakistani political philosophy has been reduced to just televisions and newspapers. Technological advances in communication have ended political discourse from streets, neighborhoods and arenas to arguments on television shows and statements printed in newspapers.

Malik Asim Dogar

The ubiquitous cell phones in our hands have brought breaking news, latest developments and statements to us in less time that we could have ever imagined.

In the fifteen years I have been associated with the news industry, I have watched times change, studied their effects and reviewed what I have learned. In the olden days, when the 9 o’clock news bulletin on PTV ended television time for the day, curbsides, drawing rooms, baithaks and deras came alive as political discussions extended long into the night. The discourse stemmed from personal experiences, anecdotal evidences and private studies. There was individuality; analysis was tinged with the hue of ethnic identity and cultural characteristics. An unwritten rule was respect for opposing views and differences of opinions.

All that changed when General (retd) Pervez Musharraf took over the country and gave permits to private television channels. A new phenomenon was introduced, i.e. the race for breaking news. From 8:00 pm till 10:00 pm, talk shows reigned supreme.

Our process of watching, analyzing and understanding news was changed completely. Lightning fast breaking news, analysis and reviews robbed us of our ability to think for ourselves. The ordinary man’s understanding of the system that governed his life went through a metamorphosis. How did this happen? Let us review.

Political reporting, which takes up a major chunk of news, requires a deep understanding of the topic and as complete information as can be provided. Once the news is out, follow ups require research, time and effort. But now, the basis of evaluating news channels is how fast they brought the news to the audience, how quickly they beat their competitors, how far ahead they are of their peers. Comprehensive and correct information is no longer the benchmark for analyzing content. Switch on any channel and asses how most of them present the occurrence of a development as complete news, not the facts, policies and ideas that are linked to it. Here too, sensationalism takes precedence over all else. Another factor are our political talk shows, presented mostly be people who have no experience of field reporting yet are called senior journalists. They take up pre-established positions and ignore real journalism.

This divide is now quite prominent. People switch on television only to watch the show that broadcasts views that their own preferences align with. Bereft of their own opinions, viewers have stopped discussing politics within their circles. The end result is low tolerance for opposing viewpoints and promotion of self-interest. A good talk show now is one where there is plenty of emotional argument, where matters escalate from disagreement to ferocious anger or even physical blows. On such nights, both the anchors and the producers of the shows expect high ratings.

And so, media now constitutes itself basically not on news but on presenting a riot for its viewers. The media is now a major player of this capitalistic system. Questions that must be asked are being ignored for the sake of remaining a power player. As for the anchors whose faces we see plastered on billboards and whose slick promos present alternate realities, well, their own lifestyles now have removed them very far from the life of an ordinary citizen. If you do not believe me, watch the circus. You’ll spot the ringmasters easily enough.

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Malik Asim Dogar

Malik Asim Dogar is a senior producer at GNN

Pakistan

Assistant Defense Minister of Saudi Arabia meets Army Chief

The Army Chief reiterated Pakistan Army's continuous support for increasing the capacity of Saudi ground forces.

Published

31 minutes ago

Apr 19, 2024 10:59 AM

Noor Fatima

Rawalpindi: Saudi Arabia's Assistant Defense Minister Major General (Engineer) Talal Bin Abdullah met Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, told Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR).

During the meeting, the issues of mutual interest and steps to further promote bilateral defense cooperation including defense production and military training were discussed.

The distinguished guest appreciated the achievements and sacrifices of the Pakistan Army in the war against terrorism, the Saudi general also praised the valuable services of Pakistan Army for regional peace and security.

The Army Chief reiterated Pakistan Army's continuous support for increasing the capacity of Saudi ground forces.

Talal Bin Abdullah also attended the fifth Pak-Saudi defense cooperation meeting at GHQ, which he chaired under the leadership of Pakistan Army.

The forum discussed global and regional security challenges and their impact on defense forces.

It also said that rapid development in modern technology necessitates defense industrial cooperation in key capabilities between the two brotherly nations.

The parties reiterated their commitment to strengthen efforts in defense cooperation. In this context concrete proposals were considered by the Forum to achieve concrete objectives within specified timelines.

World

10 including army chief killed in Kenyan helicopter crash

After the tragic accident, the President of Kenya declared three days of mourning in the country.

Published

1 hour ago

Apr 19, 2024 09:37 AM

Noor Fatima

Nairobi: 10 people, including the army chief, died as a result of a helicopter crash in Kenya.

Confirming the army chief's death in the crash, Kenyan President William Ruto announced that a military helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday, killing 10 people, including army chief General Francis Ogola.

After the tragic accident, the President of Kenya declared three days of mourning in the country.

The President further informed that two soldiers survived the helicopter crash and were shifted to the hospital.

He continued to say that an investigation team has been formed to find out the cause of the accident.

Technology

Sugar Mill Case: Hamza's attendance waiver appeal approved

In the application, the position was adopted that Hamza Shehbaz is physically unwell due to which he cannot appear.

Published

10 minutes ago

Apr 19, 2024 11:21 AM

Noor Fatima

Lahore: The Accountability Court Lahore Friday, while hearing the Ramzan Sugar Mill reference against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son and former Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz, approved Hamza's one-day attendance waiver request.

According to the details, Accountability Court duty judge Nadeem Gulzar heard the reference, Shehbaz Sharif's representative Anwar Hussain appeared in the court and completed the attendance.

In the application, the position was adopted that Hamza Shehbaz is physically unwell due to which he cannot appear.

Later, the court granted the request of Hamza Shehbaz and adjourned the hearing till June 6.

It is pertinent to note that on February 14, the Accountability Court of Lahore postponed the hearing on the Ramzan Sugar Mill reference against Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz.

Ramazan Sugar Mill Case

Notably on February 18, 2019, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had filed a new reference against the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case.

In this reference, only the two accused were named and it was alleged that they had illegally constructed a drain for Ramzan Sugar Mills.

In the reference filed in the court, it was said that the construction of this canal by Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz caused a loss of 213 million rupees to the national exchequer, therefore, both the accused should be punished.