Daily Times

Democracy is dependent upon a truly sovereign and vibrant media. That much is understood. Nevertheless, we, here at Daily Times, welcome the International Press Institute (IPI)’s open letter to the Prime Minister-in waiting; reminding him of the same.

The IPI noted how over the last five years media freedom has been severely curtailed, with dissenting journalists enduring “physical intimidation, abduction and torture”. While “independent newspapers were denied access to readers through widespread disruption of distribution; independent channel broadcasts were denied access to television audiences”.

All of this true. Meaning that Imran Khan is faced with the mammoth task of affording the fourth estate the necessary breathing space without which it cannot possibly discharge its duties. It is hoped that he is up to it. And that he recognises, too, how responsibility towards this end rests with the entire political leadership across the great divide; including the opposition parties.

In short, we sincerely hope that Kaptaan has learned from his own past mistakes. That he has matured from the self-styled maverick that threatened to storm PTV headquarters as he held the federal capital captive to the spectacle of dharna politics. And who chose to relentlessly blast the Jang Group over claims (levelled without proof) that the country’s largest media house was guilty of: manipulating the 2013 elections by airing Nawaz Sharif’s victory speech while ballots were still being counted; and being funded by both the US and Indian governments in an orchestrated bid to foster war on the western border to serve their presumed collective agenda.

This is not and never was acceptable. Not least from a prominent opposition politician.

Now that he is to be PM, we, the media of Pakistan, expect Imran to view the fourth estate as a democratic institution that is in need of strengthening; not dismantling. Indeed, we hold him liable for introducing a political culture that refrains from treating the media as the personal public relations wing of different parties. It is not sufficient to expect countless airtime to deliver address after address and expect editors, reporters and anchors to leave it there; forever grateful for this small opportunity to secure gains, however small, in the circulation and ratings wars. It is the job of all who work within this industry under the banner of journalism to connect the dots, to add context, and to call out contradictions and discrepancies. This is the name of the game.

Thus if we are to buy the dream of Naya Pakistan, then we would like to hold the PTI chief to his promise. Namely, that the drive against corruption must start from the top-down; beginning with the head of government. For when politicians fail to respect a media already operating under fire, this paves the way for other institutions to create a climate of fear for all those working within this industry. Fully confident in their own impunity.

So come on, Kaptaan. Show us what you are made of.  *

Published in Daily Times, August 16^th 2018.