Daily Times

It is a common practice for countries to protect their own television and film industry from foreign competition, and in this respect, policies are often enacted that limit airtime given to foreign films and entertainment channels. This is in no way a novel invention or something that goes against liberal values. However, there is a difference between limiting airtime and imposing a blanket ban altogether. Evidently, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had been working for quite some time to regulate the airtime given to foreign entertainment, particularly the flooding of Indian content in Pakistan’s electronic media. While such work should have been done in a more inclusive manner by also taking into account the input from various other stakeholders, most importantly the viewers, but, nevertheless, it is still palatable since it is PEMRA’s job to be regulating electronic media. However, to issue a complete blanket ban on Indian content is both excessive and a complete negation of the rights of viewers.

It is not surprising that the surge in hostilities between Pakistan and India is finding avenues other than politics, as the entertainment industry on both sides of the border has taken upon itself to appear as the most patriotic by making the most myopic decisions. The pressuring of Pakistani artists working in India by sanctimonious bigots in both countries to give statements against the other country, calls by jingoistic Indians to send Pakistani artists home, and the decision of Pakistani cinema houses to ban Indian movies all point to the churlish tit-for-tat moves and point scoring that is taking place in the entertainment industry. Seemingly, it is this very environment that PEMRA has taken advantage of at this time to block Indian content from airing in Pakistan. In one stroke, PEMRA has both appeared as a ‘patriotic’ body that is ‘protecting’ Pakistani interests from belligerent India, and fulfilled its objective of controlling the flooding of Indian content in Pakistan.

Unfortunately, banning has become the primary modus operandi of the present government for suppressing all that it does not wish the public to see. Not only does this go against the notion of individual freedom, banning almost never has the intended effect. Those who wish to consume what is banned find other illicit ways of obtaining it, giving rise to the black market along with all of the evils that come from it. Hence, it would be naïve to believe that such a move would allow PEMRA to completely police the airing of content in Pakistan. In addition to the additional expenses that such policing would entail, it would even deprive PEMRA to effectively monitor the content coming from these illicit channels. A more appropriate measure would have been limiting airtime for Indian content to reasonable levels, so that the domestic entertainment industry could grow side by side.

Moreover, the merits of banning Indian content are still to be completely known. Pakistan excels at television dramas, and Indian competition is no threat to it. However, what is lacking in Pakistan are good music channels, movie channels, and shows for entertainment of children. In this sector, to deprive the audience of good foreign shows, wholly without their consent, is unjust. It is unfortunate that instead of moving towards a more democratic path of accessibility and transparency, government is turning to regressive measures. Perhaps, PEMRA should reevaluate its role and see if it is not overstepping its boundaries. *