Stir for responsibility
Muhammad Farouk
Promotion of democratic values for spacing and facilitation of each
segment of society through unbiased and balanced reporting is the
principal duty of media which is accomplished by right of freedom of
expression as both media and democracy are closely tangled for social
development. TV screen is main source for unlimited information.
Flourishing media has revolutionized the urban and rural culture with
deep impacts on all age groups. Success demands more responsibility and
professionalism in work rather than sensationalism as it implies more
for effective role of media for survival of its trust and credibility
among people.
Media is under severe criticism due to non professionalism in performing
its duties. Episode of ‘irresponsible reporting’ and negative
implications of the electronic media was observed on news channels when
it constantly aired news about capturing of government building by some
500 armed militants in Peshawar with the impression of a large-scale
operation against the militants. Soon reports about the militants’
action and claims about taking the government staffers as hostages and
capturing the building turned out to be false but it created panic and
fear in country particularly for the dwellers of Peshawar. Whole drama
was demonstrating that city was really under attack from militants and
much debated fight to capture town had begun.
Similar situation was also observed in federal capital, when channels
were reporting about arrest of suicidal bombers from a central mosque of
a sector in Islamabad while area police was completely ignored about any
such action of law enforcement agencies. Similarly rumors were also
reported by print and electronic media about recovery of kidnapped
Afghan envoy Abdul Khaliq Farahi. Different versions of the story were
based on much quoted ‘unofficial’ sources while no top officials from
federal of provincial government was able to confirm the envoy’s
release. The officials criticized the media, especially the news
channels, and their ‘irresponsible’ attitude.
Recently Interior Ministry had issued a directive to media that channels
or newspapers should contact ministry officials or top ranks of police
of area to verify the substances or details of any incident for careful
reporting to avert any sensationalism that may ignite panic as observed
in most of the cases. In another issue of a religious TV show, media
earned wide spread condemnation for its controversial debates and
issuance of authority less decree about a state acknowledged non Muslim
segment of citizens of Pakistan which forms even a tiny portion of
minorities in country. It was a direct attack on credibility and
competency right of media and media persons to hold such debates which
may pose a threat to security of any individual or group or even the
country. It was severe violation of invisible code of conduct media
enjoys on the name of right to exercise freedom of expression. Media can
report issues and incidents without any prejudice or without creating
any harm for any citizen of country. Such contentious debates shows
inability of media persons to realize the duty that protection of honor
and respect of a citizen of country is utmost important task while
reporting or debating any subject. In an Iftar reception hosted for
journalists, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani also softly
expressed his dissatisfaction over the role of the media and said
instead of acting as a “facilitator”, it focuses only on finding faults
with the system. “Media should play the role of a mediator among warring
factions, sects and regions. Let the media be an impartial judge of
situations keeping the larger national interests in mind.”According to a
report published in leading contemporary English daily, “Federal
government is planning to request print and electronic media not to
glorify terrorist acts and their reporting in a way that harass the
people and make them feel defeated. Some quarters of the government have
been suggesting a clampdown on certain sections of the media that
“refuse to listen to reason” in this connection.” While recently Human
Right Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has also apprehended the role of
media, “The media has fallen from its traditional role of being the
gatekeeper of the truth and is helping promote militancy, while the
government is failing to provide people with the basic security.”
Media is free to hold debates and discussions but scene can alarm
turmoil when some elements in media try to instill debates to instigate
controversies which may spark riot in the society. It can’t be tolerable
omen for future of democracy as it strengthens rigidity and extremism.
It will be a serious violation by media against its own capacity as well
as misuse of freedom of expression. Democracy and media has joint
mandate to facilitate all segments without hurting peace of society. It
can only be performed through a sense of responsibility to protect
security of ordinary people through freedom. Right of expression should
be used to highlight issues not to initiate controversies. It is sad to
see that the television channels are promoting such values deficient of
tolerance and tranquility. It is utmost duty of the media to use freedom
and democracy to introduce values to construct the society not to begin
bifurcation. According to reaction of government, it is better that
media should develop a self-regulatory system for accountability to
check any misuse through freedom of expression. Adoption of professional
approach can be helpful for impartial coverage without any undue thirst
to provide ‘breaking news’. Irresponsible and inaccurate reporting can
ignite rumors; it will add fuel to fire for current conflicts and such
exploitation will not be tolerable for government or any other party of
the dispute. Media role should be productive to help all stakeholders to
find resolutions through balanced and open exposure for all. Media has
capacity to perform duties with more diligence and responsibility.
Induction of a trend for training and development of media persons
through collaboration of government and media organizations can help to
avert the disintegration of journalistic values. In era of openness, the
role has become more sensitive as people are absolutely watchful to its
functioning. Due to easy access to excess of information, people now
demand more accurate and careful news reporting, analysis and talk
shows. Credibility lies in content of news item not in attempt to air in
haste. It will determine future role of news channels as only way to
maintain trust and credibility is authenticity and accuracy. |
