By Amna Rizvi
In the worst situation regarding economy and terrorism in Pakistan, if there is an institution which is progressing, is on the rise and capturing great heights, it is none other than Pakistan fast growing electronic media.
Starting with the on set of 21st century our Electronic media is almost a decade old now with educated youngsters joining media and we can witness information spreading to all corners and a free and healthy debate regarding our society and government taking place.
Though new electronic news channels are yet emerging and proving their mark on horizon, it seems most people have developed certain kind of taste for hews and selective set of opinion. A great debate has started in media circles regarding what media should telecast and what to avoid.
It is a healthy debate which can prove decisive in writing greater media charter in our country as government can’t restrict it of its liberty and freedom. With the passage of time, there are new technologies and new directions of media developments, there are various schools offering youngsters to become true media professionals.
Gone are the days when people were used to watch Door Darshan of India in cities and villages across Pakistan and listen to early morning broadcast of BBC Urdu service.
If there is any thing that we are self sufficient in I think it is our media and free flow of Information. It has been point of grief and anger in our media circles that from time to time our government has tried to make media docile by giving money to anchors and media owners but all such efforts have backfired, resulting in general public anger against government of time.
Though large segment of our society don’t have access to cable T.V but it is reaching to every one at least in its affects and it can be seen that News is available to every individual Country wide within minutes.
It is source of credible news and it has to yet improve and enhance. But the key debate about media is always, whether media can shape the decisions and force the government to take popular decisions.
Well, our young media has already done it more than once in its short span. The dark step of March 07, 2007 would have gone to waste if there was only one PTV but our electronic media not only created opinions but also mobilized people for the rule of law. It was first time in Pakistan’s history that media overthrew a government and a ruling party from power and forced another government to take the popular decision of restoring Nov,3rd,2007 judiciary almost after a year and a half of suspension.
Media has the power of setting the agenda. As there is a theory “Media don’t tell people what to think but what to think about”. Our highly politicized media though fulfills this criteria but it is too early to expect it to perform the functions of CNN and BBC as they have long history behind them.
With the arrival of highly educated youngsters and professionals in our media, it is expected to take the places of mediocre, the things will certainly get better and media will be our national indicator of progress as time moves on.
Source: The Nation
Date:5/12/2010
