By Taimur Khan
Information
and knowledge is power and the methods of presenting information and knowledge
has profound impact on shaping perceptions and perspectives of the masses.
Revolution in communication technologies in this age of globalization has
bestowed the field of “Media” with immense power and unlimited outreach. This
unprecedented power and outreach has transformed the field of media (in all
forms) into a social institution, naturally placing enormous social, moral and
ethical responsibilities on the shoulders of the field of media and journalism.
In
the contemporary times, where on one hand, media have been responsible for
healthy and positive changes in societies around the world, such as becoming
the voice of the marginalized, spreading the message of democracy and human
rights and creating awareness amongst the masses regarding matters and issues
that affect their lives and security. The very same media has also been
responsible for spreading misinformation, propaganda and lies, resulting in
conflicts, wars and destruction around the world as well.
Media,
national or international, regardless of its unprecedented power and outreach
has many social responsibilities that it needs to fulfill. Those social
responsibilities include the reflection of truth, accuracy, objectivity and
balance in its content. The media should be self-regulating within the
framework of law and established institutions nationally and internationally
and most significantly, media should avoid everything that might lead to crime,
violence or civil disorder or give offense to any group in the world.
Unfortunately,
media, especially the international media with a few exceptions, is not
adhering to its journalistic responsibilities anymore and
subjecting propaganda and misinformation on a colossal scale.
Today, the field of media no longer functions as a social institution but
rather as an ‘industry’. The best example of this is the current interest of
the international media in “Pashtun Tahafuz Movement” and its leader Manzoor
Pashteen.
The
international media is portraying Manzoor Pashteen as the Che Guevara of the
Pakistani Pashtun and the ‘movement’ led by him as the “Pashtun Renaissance”.
Few minor issues of tribal belt of Pakistan are being portrayed as a global
issue with far reaching consequences. Acting as a typical monetized industry
and riding the anti-Pakistan rhetoric train, the international media is hell
bent on painting the Pakistani state and its institutions as repressive and
dictatorial, that is marginalizing its people, particularly the Pashtuns and
suppressing the voice of the public. The reality however, is on the contrary
and as evident from the coverage of the international media of this matter, the
Pakistani state’s narrative and the steps taken by it to reprimand the
situation are missing and purposefully ignored.
Lest
the international media forget, the Pakistan state considers the demands of the PTM as legitimate and
has even went on to address majority of the demands put forward by the PTM
leadership such as the removal of landmines from operational areas of FATA,
disbandment of many military check posts in the region, and reimbursement of
losses endured by the traders and people of FATA. The Pakistani state and the
army in particular are also working on resolving the issue of missing persons
as well. The Pakistani state, like any other functioning democracy is listening
to the concerns of its public and addressing their grievances accordingly but
the international media purposefully ignoring all the efforts being made by the
state and rigorously working in promoting anti-Pakistan agenda by instigating
propaganda, spreading misinformation in an attempt to turn the people of
Pakistan, particularly the Pashtuns against the state of Pakistan and its
institutions.
The
sudden interest of the international media in the plight of the Pashtuns raises
suspicions about its motives and intentions. Where was this international media
that acts as moral police now, when the US invaded Afghanistan back in 2001 and
started a decades’ long military campaign that resulted in the suffering of
millions of Pashtuns in Afghanistan? Why the international media was silent
about the sacrifices rendered by the Pashtuns on both sides of the Durand Line
(border between Pakistan and Afghanistan)during the US-launched War on Terror?
Why is the international media silent about the innumerable sacrifices and
losses endured by Pakistan in War against terrorism, a war that was not even
Pakistan’s war to begin with?
The
international media should stop acting as a tool for destabilizing forces and
focus on the coverage of more pressing issues that are costing the lives of
innocent people around the world, case and point the Israeli atrocities against
innocent Palestinians, oppression of the Kashmiri people at the hands of the
Indian state and occupying forces, the deaths of thousands of innocent
civilians caused by the proxy wars of western powers in different parts of the
world such as Africa and Middle East, and last but certainly not the least, the
ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya Muslims by the military and Buddhists of
Myanmar.
Media
is a very important social institution with a aim to improve upon
information, for good of people. International media is fast losing its
credibility, therefore, rather than being agent of subversion against Pakistan
and spewing propaganda, the International Media should correct its course.