Adil Najam
We know that ATP readers are tough graders. In the past you have graded the performance of Pakistan’s current leadership (also here) as well as Pakistan’s past leadership – for good as well as for bad (also here). We ask you now to grade the performance of Pakistan’s media.
Most people agree that the news media has played a very influential role in shaping Pakistan’s current politics – some might say, for the good; others might argue, for the bad? What do you say?
Our focus here is on the news media. We are purposely not asking you which particular TV channel or newspaper or radio station you like. That is a matter of preference, and often of political persuation. It is important, but is not the intent of this ATP Poll. We also understand that you probably think that some media outfits are doing a great job and that others are not. That, too, is not the question.
What we seek is your opinion of how the media – as a whole and in its entirety – is doing? Of course, some will be better than others; and others worse than some. But when you look at all the media – in all its mediums – together, how do you rate them? Good, bad, or ugly?
smith goggles
cinemark paradise 24
at still university
planets for kids
highlights for brown hair
Democracy: Nawaz is running PMLN for last 20+ years, no where in world we have a leader of a democratic party for that long (only dictators, but that is a separate discussion), does he still need to get matured?
Media: It is shame that media shows dead bodies on the tv everyday, it has nothing to do with being not mature, it is about discipline and code of conduct.
Judiciary: Judiciary is being run by crooks, CJ.Iftikhar is not a child, he is a mature person yet no where in the world we get an example of victims being judges in their own case.
@Viqar Minai
The judiciary, democracy and media in Pakistan is staffed by adults, who consider themselves “professionals”. Many have gray beards and are not 16-year olds that we have to accept excuses for them that “bachay hain”.
It also sounds like a variation of the “virsa siyasat” that political parties have been playing since February 2008.
For the longest time Pakistan had heavily censored print and electronic media. For a few years now we have both media relatively free. But it seems our expectations of it are bordering on childishness. I am reminded of the story I had heard of a lone child who incessantly complained to his parents about not having a sibling to play with. His father said to him,”son, you are now almost six. You won’t be able to play with a newborn baby”. “No!”, protested the wide-eyed child,”he has to be born five years old”.
The state of the media, like so many other things in our society, need time to improve and mature. At least it has some measure of freedom now, so let us be patient and try to
improve it. Let us be grateful that, now, there is a possibility that it might. The same is true of the institutions of democracy and judiciary in Pakistan.
good or bad
Do tok hota to acha tha
Media has the independence they used to cry for yet they have never brought a single report on Nawaz Sahrief’s ‘Qarz utaro mulk bachao’ scam, never investigated Zardari’s corruptions or Death of Murtaza bhutto.
Media played a big role (spec GEO) in Winning elections for PPP & PMLN and I hold their collar and ask why is our budget in deficit, why are there less jobs now, why is there more corruption, why was the rule of only Graduates can stand for election removed, why is media not criticising Military action now when they created a big issue of Lal musjid, why is gov taking so many loans and where is all that money going.
We sometimes look to our east and see india’s success but we forget that their media has always played a vital role, be it accusing Pakistan or Exposing their own corruptions (Hangama website…)
I am sorry to say but Media is equally responsible for our deteriorating situation, previously we had one group: Politicians who were corrput now we have 3: Politicians, Media & Judiciary.
Shutdown urdu channels for a week and see how peaceful things will get. Yes i mean it, news should be availble only to literate and elites.
As a whole, Pak media is useless. They focus too much on the disputes between the politicians and leaving out core issues – such as three women abused today in Lahore .. they will never talk about this story in the tv news .. Dawn reported it, but that’s abt it.
Useless media and even more useless politicians
In addition to what I have said above I also agree with the view of many readers that DAWN remains Pakistan`s most outstanding newspaper both within the country and outside..- and Dawn TV telecast of news is of high quality.