The media should report facts, it’s what they are there for but sensationalizing doom and gloom everyday is hardly journalism. Spreading unconfirmed news to win the race of putting it first on air without thinking of the repercussions? Highlighting a brain washed suicide bomber in pursuit of 72 virgins, commentating over issues to further exacerbate the situation? To top is all, and my personal favorite, is the incessant persuasion of how closely we are allied with the people across the eastern border. If this is what we want today, then we should blame those who put forth that unjustified two nation theory, take off that page from history books because all it will now serve to do is to further pile up the social hypocrisy in young minds. I want that page taken out immediately - shred it and burn it please. This would certainly accelerate the peace process.
I can point to the fact that billions of rupees are owed to the Government of Pakistan under the head of sales tax, by television channels, but I would be digressing. All I am saying is that we are marketing complete negativity to our own people. Rather, we should market our positive to people outside this 'land of the pure'. I know where corruption takes place; we have now crafted ourselves to live with it. Identifying corruption is easy but rectifying it is difficult because would-be rectifiers are corrupt as well. We lack resources to mobilize our own gold mines. Why isn’t some one focusing on the immense potential we have here. They should come, invest and create jobs. Instead of getting dependent on and threatened by the nation’s largest telecoms company to not report the stretched strike of its workers just because they won’t give them business, the TV channels should be highlighting different investment avenues to make people come over so, to put it crudely, we can milk them in the long run. Who will bell the cat is a difficult question, but one shouldn’t serve milk to wild cats. We must celebrate the countless ways God has blessed this including its human resource.
We are an illiterate society but the reality is our demography gives us an opportunity to completely transform into a literate one. Let us move on from the discussion of democracy versus dictatorship to making people aware of how important their vote is during election time. What criteria should be kept in mind while selecting a candidate during elections? Which candidate had to leave his office because of fake degrees and who fooled the people yesterday and why the same members of a family are in parliament over and over? It is very unfortunate that our people elect the same culprits again and again. This also tells us, that the media failed to highlight the “fraud” of our gubernatorial candidates and media’s 'reporting' failed to change people’s opinion about corrupt leaders. What is the policy going forward to make an impact?
Education is vital no question about it. It is another fact that education’s fruits ripen by the third generation. What I feel is necessary, going forward, is to educate people on social behavior, small examples of which are; Why wearing a helmet is important to avoid accidents; Why its better to switch off the engine at a traffic signal to save fuel; Why children should not be seated in the front; Why saving is important from a very young age; why its important to avoid any SM/email forwarding without proper verification. Wait for your turn. Stand in queues - don't rush while paying bills at banks or buying some groceries. What emergency measures to take in case of some terrorist attack; go for blood donation instead of being an obstacle in the way of rescue efforts and so on and so forth? These small contributions will help us achieve social discipline. Let us see the light at the end of tunnel with each other eyes.
In 1971, classic Urdu writer Ibne-Insha wrote in his book “Urdu ke akre kitab” (Last book of Urdu) “We burn our own buses during strikes and destroy traffic signals - the same resources we use on any other day”. That thought was put to paper about 40 years ago. Why it feels so fresh is a question which needs a brain storming session by people from media groups as from all walks of life, in an effort to find a solution and implement change.
Back at the time of partition, a country was divided and we had to face evils on our road to maturity. Unfortunately we are still not there. The media is in an excellent position to make full use of current pessimism, treat it as an opportunity and turn our masses into people full of solutions and ideas. Encourage out of the box thinking; celebrate our heroes, from every walk of life. Give them credit for making us proud, motivate young and fresh brains. The media got its freedom after a long wait in our country, but only correct policy making and a strategic vision and mission will turn this ordinary freedom into a worthy media revolution.
Muhammad Umair [Vohra]
Written for an Essay competition in September, 2010
