Freedom of expression
June 07 2006: Over a period of a few years, the print media has, with concerted efforts, achieved a degree of freedom, which is more than what we witness in other institutions. Apart from some condemnable incidents of intimidation by resort to use of violence in Karachi, by certain political parties, we witness adaptability to criticism and right of dissent.
May 07 the private television channels are reaping the harvest of this long struggle waged by the newspaper industry. A few years back, you could not imagine, witnessing criticism of the President or the Prime Minister and the real back-stage power brokers of this country on television, which was a State-run monopoly.
It would be unfair if some of the credit for this tolerance is not given to President Musharraf and his government. Private channels telecast talk shows, in which the President is openly criticised by members of the opposition. Unfortunately this tolerance to cliticism is not having the desired trickle down effect. A semi-autonomous State-owned corporation, based in Karachi, dealing in aviation, has banned its employees to wear the national dress (i.e. shalwar-kurta with waistcoat), while on duty. The provincial govemments also need to adopt tolerance to right of dissent, which is the very essence of democracy and opens new vistas for development. The human mind must have the liberty and environment to seek answers, otherwise we will never be able to make progress through research and development in the fields of art, science or technology.
Peshawar, Nasir Khan
Source: B. Recorder
Date:6/7/2006
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