The private sector of Pakistan’s electronic media came into
being during the Musharraf era. Since then, the number of news channels
operating in Pakistan has increased exponentially; currently there are about 31
news channels operating in Pakistan (number of channels listed on Wikipedia in
the news category). One would expect that over the years, electronic media in Pakistan
would evolve and embrace the best practices but it has rather devolved.
If one compares old PTV news bulletins with the ones
broadcasted on private TV channels these days, some visible differences are
there:
·
Facts vs. Opinion
o
There should be facts in news bulletins, not opinions!
o
Electronic media in Pakistan has amalgamated facts
and opinions. Statement such as:
§
Arfa Karim ‘Jo tamam Pakistaniyo ki ankh ka tara
thi’ … certainly not a fact!
§
‘Mout ko kisi par tars nahi ata’ … that’s not
something you should say before breaking the news of death of 11 children in a
plane crash.
§
‘Dil wale dulhaniya lay aye’ … mind boggling!
§
‘Sarkari dafatir mein 2 chuttiyan, maujan hi
maujan?’ … who asks questions in news bulletins?!
·
Tone
o
The purpose of news bulletin is to state facts
so irrespective of the nature of the news, the tone of the newscaster should
remain the same. However that’s not the case anymore! New-casters now-a-days
state the news with zeal … and that is sadistic!
o
Frankly I don’t know how to express my view on
this but I’m sure the readers will be able to understand.
o
The change in tone and the
passion/zeal/excitement with which sad news is shared is particularly annoying.
·
Sadistic background music
o
Seriously, WHY DO NEWS CHANNELS PLAY SAD MUSIC
IN THE BACKGROUND? It’s like the news isn’t sad enough so background music is
required to glamorize it and increase the agony of the viewers.
·
Headline vs. Actual News
o
Headline: Pakistan People’s Party is going to
form a commission to find out the reasons behind the derailment of democratic
governments
o
Actual News: Suggestion has been given to the
party leadership however the final decision to set up the commission has not been taken yet!
·
Bollywood news
o
Again, WHY?
o
I don’t understand why our news channels should tell
us about what is happening in India’s movie industry. And if there is a need to
educate us, why can’t they just
display the photograph of the actors and/or actresses … what is the rationale
behind playing video songs? Why should Mayya
Mayya be played in the
background when sharing some news about Malika Sherawat? Why can’t there be news
with just Madhuri’s picture instead of her thumka
songs?
We cannot expect news channels to address these problems
themselves so PEMRA should define some framework for news channels and make
sure that they adhere to the guidelines set by it.
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