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?
They’ve been good so far.Got a long way to go before being categorized as ‘excellent’.
I gave it a ‘D’. Their only real mission thus far seems to gather more viewership and I don’t blame them for that, but the means they often resort to, to achieve their goals are downright absurd. They still have a very long way to go before they mature, but at least they are on track, lets give’em another decade or so, but so far they are a ‘D’
I think the media is very sensational. And it has not done much good. In fact it has divided nation even more.
Overall, I think teh media has played a net positive role.
Even though it is sensationalist and a lot of talk talk talk with cheap shouting matches, but it has forced politicians to be careful and has exposed many and keep them on toes.
I gave them a B.
One of the key roles of the mass media in a democracy is to highlight the most important issues faced by the nation and force a debate among the politicians and citizens on such issues.
For example, there are fundamental, long term issues of human development, education, health care, economic development, jobs creation, public safety, ill effects of unrestrained feudal power, and official and politcal corruption that get very little attention while the media whip up a frenzy about hunting down Musharraf or bashing the military, or sensationalizing the crises of the day without providing a broader context.
In short, the media in Pakistan is failing in its very basic responsibility to educate and inform the public and to inspire a constructive debate about the nation’s economic, political and military future.