Daily Times

Media and radicalisation

Sir: The Pakistan government is apparently entering into the second phase of negotiations with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). A new committee has been constituted made up of bureaucrats, which reflects the government’s more conservative and secretive approach towards peace talks. The entire process has been of great media interest and the Pakistani media, particularly the powerful electronic media, has followed and discussed the circumstantial outcomes of the process. Some analysts on talk shows criticised the role of the media by saying it is insensitive towards the delicate process of negotiations, which affects the sociopolitical future of Pakistan. With the emergence of the electronic media in Pakistan, it was anticipated that the common man in Pakistan would now be better able to understand and comprehend socio-political realities. This now seems like an error of judgement or a simplistic expectation. In a country like Pakistan where the interests of individuals and the interests of the state clash, the role of the media is significant. Private electronic media kicked off more than a decade ago with a natural anti-establishment stance. Struggling to form an image in a tough commercial environment, the media in Pakistan embarked upon a policy to attract large numbers of viewers by taking anti-establishment postures. Ten years on the media has become more conservative and right-leaning, contrary to our expectations. The question is what made the media shift its anti-establishment stance to a more right-leaning pro-establishment view. The answer lies with the media itself. Television talk shows have played to the gallery instead of educating the masses about the hidden ideological clash that is weakening the Pakistan state. Television channels acting out of their own commercial interests have never encouraged serious debate based on ideological analysis and discussion, instead they have focused on creating an environment for heated, superficial debates with little or no intellectual value. This approach has now led to the media dancing to the tune of those groups that are rapidly radicalising Pakistani society. Ten years ago the media had initiative on its side and was in a position to play the decisive role in framing the intellectual discourse in Pakistan. The same media anchors who openly flogged conservatives few years ago now use faith-imbued language all through their shows. Electronic media has lost a great opportunity to take control of the national discourse and has instead become hostage to its own petty commercial interests, effectively losing the initiative to burgeoning right-wing forces.
MALIK ATIF MAHMOOD MAJOKA
Melbourne,
Australia