POWERS OF MEDIA

Outlines
Introduction
Role of media in society
Media and religion
Media and democracy
Freedom of media
Pemra
Comments

Media is a source of information that transmits its data to masses; for awareness. There are its many types:

Print media relating to newspapers, magazines etc
Electronic media relating to Internet, TV, CD, VCRs, DVDs etc.
Advertising media.

It gathers information round the globe and delivers its data to people; they get to know about their status in the status-quo, also about the international countries’s situation-people can raise their voices to the authorities-it is simply the media, which is a source. It reflects people’s desire that what they want to be changed and what are their priorities. It also presents an image of national policy before the modern world.

Media plays an effective role in the society; to strengthen and stabilize it. It also unveils the social problems being faced by the people in their daily lives. For example now-a-days power outage is a core issue-it is the media which is highlighting the issue to the concerned authority and asking them for alternative sources. Government gets to know about social-cum-national problems through media. Media also unveils the social evils and delivers about its adverse affects to the masses. Any piece of crime or disturbance in the society is being highlighted by media, people can give their advice about the evil matter, Infact, media is there to compel authorities to get down about the people’s advice and ponder. So a peaceful society seeks a vibrant media.

Media and religion are analogous to each other. Media reflects its state-religion round the globe, so it should go through under the jurisdiction of its state-religion. It should also know its limitations regarding religion. But look at the situation. Are the media playing its role regarding religion; simply, to some extent. Religion can be spread and taught round the globe through media. It is of grave concern that media is not engaged in such activity. Look at the print media of our country; on the top of the very front page there is a verse written, indicating it is the news paper of a Muslim country. Beside, nowhere any article regarding Islam is written or a few is written. Our people have a great touch with the media and much belief in it, but lack of religionality in print media is a shocking factor leading people having lack of interest in religion. Electronic media is some where in place; having some religious programmes or having some Islamic channels attracting people day by day. Besides, a worse fact is that electronic media is presenting sex and glamorous culture among the people. a considerable study shows an increase in sexual violence and gender crime after the emergence of electronic media especially in case of cable facility in the era of late president Musharraf.One may, indispensably say that media is presenting women in glamorous mode for the sake of money to attract more viewers. Women is ruling every where on media, whether it is a drama, or an advertisement. We may often see a glamorous gal (girl) in a talk show on a very threatening issue. Majority of the people watching the show are more interested in her figure rather than her lip-service.

Let’s look at the advertising media ,you can say it a women media, so nothing to say more on this .While driving, one can come to know about the cell phone packages, in a glamorous way from the hoardings ,instead of written verses preaching us peace and harmony in the society. I am not a critic of women empowerment but instead of glamorizing, she should be given its right status. Media should present it in the form of mother, wife, and sister instead of a girl friend. If exhibition of women is a ‘SURETY’ for prosperous and enlightened nation, then Saudi Arabia should be the most failure state in the world.

When talk about democracy versus media, in Pakistan, both had never enjoyed a friendly relation. Media has its roots since the independence of Pakistan but it emerged more prominently in the era of Parvez Musharraf, which also deserves credit for the media extension. Democracy is the wish of people and media reflects the wish of media so both are closely connected to each other. Media is known to be the fourth pillar if the state so stronger and free media is necessary for a democratic country. Current situation witnesses that media is highlighting the protestants, agitation among people, and the war on terror. Instead of showing all these disturbances, media must play an active rule in curbing the situation and to present a better image of sound Pakistan before international community. Due to status-quo, internatonal observers are expecting a ‘Imam Khomeini’ for the people of Pakistan. Problems are there, but the best way is the sit down and to prepare a home-grown team to counter all theses crises. Beside, media should also present government good policies and to gather support from all walks of life on these policies.

Media should be fully aware of the internal and external threats faced to the nation, so it should not dare to expose such information which results into the destabilization of the country, for this Pemra ordinance should be enforced.

In a nutshell, free media is in the best interest of nation and in the best health of a democratic country but it should be aware of its limitations.Pemra ordinance should not contain any content regarding suppressing the freedom of media.We, as a nation must strive for a vibrant and powerful media if we want our nation to be at apex. If our media will hold strong existence, people will be strong, resulting a strong Pakistan in the region.