Whether media is free? This is the question that has been circulating in diverse gatherings from civil society to sociopolitical gatherings to media circles. Ironically, every one has different interpretations for the word ‘Free’ and the theory of ‘reflection of society’ (Media reflects the society) is advocated by different school of thoughts as they perceive the word ‘Free’ or perhaps as the word ‘Free’ suits them.
Pakistan Media Regularity Authority (PEMRA) operates on federal level and makes media regulatory policies and makes sure that they are implemented but since media considers itself the fourth power pillar other than judiciary, legislative & executive powers, it has been observed that media in Pakistan often violates PEMRA regulations.
Both electronic and print media have been penalized for misusing their powers, or for not presenting the right picture, but this cat and mouse chase is continue from the day one. And particularly in these days of media invasion, it is an up hill task for any regularity authorities to draw boundaries around media and ensure that they play with in the field.
Apart from this the commercialization of media has brought in more flavors where TV channels particularly are looking for ‘breaking news’ and other exclusive stories to flag themselves supreme and ultimately be the prime selection for advertisers. Every TV channel has to show a ‘breaking news’ almost everyday to be catchy and have more viewership regardless of the impact it could be creating on viewers. And in this race of getting more breaking and exclusive stories they try to take lead from one another.
Consequently, often it has been observed that media gets oblivion of its power and responsibility and telecast events that must be filtered. For instance, when covering a crime event BBC and CNN never show human body parts and extremely wounded people live while on the other hand the situation is exactly vice versa in Pakistan and our TV channels feel pride in showing bloody events and moreover try to access wounded for exclusive interviews. This breaking news chase has recently taken the life of a journalist working in a TV channel.
In the same way, we always see on TV the one who has been rapped but not the ones who rapped and similarly we always witness the one who was killed brutally and seldom find the ones who carry out cruel acts. This is how the reality is shown and proudly presented and commercialized in our country.
To conclude, I must say that media should show the reality but the definition of that reality should be well communicated and regulated by ones who matter or we are going to face some more harsh realities.
Pakistan Media Regularity Authority (PEMRA) operates on federal level and makes media regulatory policies and makes sure that they are implemented but since media considers itself the fourth power pillar other than judiciary, legislative & executive powers, it has been observed that media in Pakistan often violates PEMRA regulations.
Both electronic and print media have been penalized for misusing their powers, or for not presenting the right picture, but this cat and mouse chase is continue from the day one. And particularly in these days of media invasion, it is an up hill task for any regularity authorities to draw boundaries around media and ensure that they play with in the field.
Apart from this the commercialization of media has brought in more flavors where TV channels particularly are looking for ‘breaking news’ and other exclusive stories to flag themselves supreme and ultimately be the prime selection for advertisers. Every TV channel has to show a ‘breaking news’ almost everyday to be catchy and have more viewership regardless of the impact it could be creating on viewers. And in this race of getting more breaking and exclusive stories they try to take lead from one another.
Consequently, often it has been observed that media gets oblivion of its power and responsibility and telecast events that must be filtered. For instance, when covering a crime event BBC and CNN never show human body parts and extremely wounded people live while on the other hand the situation is exactly vice versa in Pakistan and our TV channels feel pride in showing bloody events and moreover try to access wounded for exclusive interviews. This breaking news chase has recently taken the life of a journalist working in a TV channel.
In the same way, we always see on TV the one who has been rapped but not the ones who rapped and similarly we always witness the one who was killed brutally and seldom find the ones who carry out cruel acts. This is how the reality is shown and proudly presented and commercialized in our country.
To conclude, I must say that media should show the reality but the definition of that reality should be well communicated and regulated by ones who matter or we are going to face some more harsh realities.
