Ban on channels continues
GENERAL Musharraf’s Government shredded whatever goodwill it had earned for liberalising media policies when it shut down independent news channels, including the foreign ones, who enjoyed a brief comeback for a few hours before having the plug yanked on them again.
The continual ban on TV channels has done no one any good, including the government whose credibility has not increased. If anything the ban contributes to the erosion of Pakistan’s image worldwide, especially when authorities says that only those channels that agree to comply with the changes in the Pemra Ordinance can go on air. Some may see this as blackmail. The problem with the new Pemra rules is that anything can be deemed objectionable and the punishments are severe.
To make things worse the state minister of information said on Monday that the ban on foreign channels was done because they showed subjects like gay marriages which are against norms of Pakistani society. Once again, the issue of what is appropriate or vulgar, much like the issue of what constitutes national interest, is up for debate. As it should be but it must be a two-sided debate. The need for a national consensus on this issue can not be denied.
The media, both print and electronic, adhere to their own code of ethics and do not need to be reminded of their jobs, which is to report on events in an objective manner. A blanket ban on them only widens the gulf of mistrust and can lead to a potentially ugly confrontation.
The government is still trying to browbeat media groups into conforming to the new rules set by Pemra if they want to get back on the airwaves. These are unfair tactics aimed at causing fissures within the media groups which are so far standing united. One must commend the entire media community for standing up to draconian measures being forced upon them. Can the government afford such a hostile stand-off with the media? It must review its decision and put back on air all channels. A code of ethics devised by various channels was handed over to the government for review few months ago and that is sue can be taken up once the channels on air.
Source: Daily Times
Date:11/15/2007
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