‘Media not promoting socio-cultural pluralism’
KARACHI: Intellectual and journalist Jami Chandio on Sunday said a large portion of the Pakistani media is not promoting socio-cultural pluralism owing to which differences on the basis of social status, culture and political beliefs are increasing as well as the gap between the rural and urban areas is widening with the passage of time.
Speaking on the last day of the two-day training workshop ‘Reporting Peace: Enhancing Access to Human Rights’ for young journalists and mass communication students, Chandio said the so-called national media has changed the factual image of the society.
The Sindh Independent Media Association (SIMA) had arranged the workshop, in collaboration with ActionAid Pakistan.
Chandio said most of the realities are based on ‘narrates’, including the two-nation theory that caused the division of India. He said the two-nation theory was nothing more than a hypothesis as India was a hub of multiple cultures, races, religions and languages.
“When there is no space for any fact, there would obviously be a reaction, so the two-nation theory was the Muslims’ reaction to the Congress’ announcement of ‘Akhand Bharat’,” he said.
Chandio said despite being apart from the India, Pakistan has been unable to become one nation, as it was announced at the time of the Partition that several differences exist among the Pakistani people on the basis of language, race and provincial basis.
“Actually this is the beauty of multicultural societies, but unfortunately, the media is still insisting the same ‘narrate’ that Pakistan is one nation, which is not true.
He said there is not a single definition to describe the media, as some consider it as means of communication, others term it as a reflection of the society, some define it as a tool to influence the masses and some say it is the voice of the masses.
“Despite being important, the media in Pakistan is not playing its proper role, as even though poverty and a lack of education, health and other basic facilities prevails in the society, the media sometimes does not portray the true story,” he said. He said that there must be a difference between the mass realties and the media’s image about the society.
Senior journalist Dr Ali Ahmed said the Pakistani media is not playing its due role and rather than telling facts, some sections of media are pursuing personal agendas, which should not happen.
Addressing the certificate distribution ceremony, Sindh CM Adviser Sharmila Farooqui said young female journalists are the soldiers of the media who can play a vital role in solving the basic problems faced by the women in our society.
On the occasion, ActionAid Pakistan Sindh and Balochistan Programme Manager Tasleem Mazhar, Shireen Aijaz of the Aurat Foundation, SIMA Chairman Qazi Asif, Secretary General Mazhar Laghari, Akhtar Baloch and others also spoke.
Young journalists and mass communication students including Numita Gul, Dur-e-Shehwar, Sanam Sindhi, Naila Nizam, Shireen Soomro, Tahira, Asma, Rabia, Rashida Soomro, Najia, Shumaila, Raima, Hina Bhatti, Ruby Baloch, Huma, Imdad Khoso, Shams Bhutto, Wali Muhammad, Hafiz Magsi, Mehran Qazi, Bilawal Qazi, Fawad Ali Shah, Zameer Awan, Zafar Khan, Wasim Nizami, Wajid Baloch and Wahid Rajpar attended the workshop. amar guriro
Source: Daily Times
Date:11/23/2009
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