In any democratic nation, a free and impartial press is essential to democracy’s functioning. The media acts as a watchdog, holding those in power accountable and giving individuals the knowledge they need to make educated decisions. However, when media journalists in Pakistan and around become political and military puppets, the whole core of press freedom is undermined, posing a serious threat to democracy. The worst aspect of this puppetry is the normalizing of this act as one of patriotism and the relentless justification of it. This mindset pervades Pakistani media, and the courage to speak out against wrongdoing has long been gone.
Media anchors in Pakistan and around the world have a significant effect on public opinion. They have the ability to inform, educate, and empower individuals. However, when they cave to the demands of political or military puppeteers, their capacity to carry out this moral mission is jeopardized. Instead of being truthtellers, they become propagandists, compromising journalistic ethics on behalf of entrenched interests. Spokespersons for influential individuals posing as journalists or analysts tell you a day in advance how the storyline in the country will develop over the following few months, demonstrating the country’s stature and quality of the press.
The practice of media anchors serving as puppets for politicians and the military is not new. Across the globe, there are numerous examples of journalists’ autonomy being undermined in favor of promoting the goals of those in power. Whether through outright control of media outlets, compulsion, or subtle influence, the final consequence is the same: a media environment without independence and integrity.
One of the main causes for the media industry’s collapse and this clown show is news channel ownership. The majority of news stations are controlled by persons implicated in corrupt business operations. Such individuals are easy to deal with and frequently only require a phone call. We’ve also seen situations when an entire news channel was compelled to shut down or sell for the lowest possible price. The burden of this mocking also falls on Pakistan’s judicial system. No country with any remaining democratic norms would allow this sort of conduct to take place. Unfortunately, the judiciary’s concentration is on keeping people occupied with old cases and live broadcasting to ensure a legacy that does not exist.
It is the duty of society to be on guard against such threats. Press freedom needs to be protected, fostered, and upheld at all costs; it is not a given. Laws that safeguard the media’s independence must be passed and implemented by governments. Any attempt to restrict press freedom must be held responsible by government leaders and media outlets by the civil society. And even in the face of difficulty, journalists themselves must never waver in their dedication to the truth.
(Fahad Qureshi is a journalist and with expertise in national/international politics. He can be reached on Twitter @iamFahadqureshi.)
