In the recent developments Pakistan People’s Party declared war against media, particularly Jang group and its journalists namely; Kamran Khan, Shaheen Sehbai, Ansar Abbassi and Shahid Masud. In the most surprising way Senior Minister of PPP in Punjab, Mr. Raja Riaz said that we will break handd of whoever tries to topple the government or try to create any such nuisance. The self-proclaimed champions; of democracy, freedom of speech and protection of rights; have now become usurpers, oppressors and civil dictators. It seems that power has got to the brains of these politicians.
This heat in the political scenario has started after the judgment on NRO. Not to forget here that it is these same politicians who left NRO on the mercy of Supreme Court, because the politicians lacked decision making, were scared to come out and make a decision. I wonder what sort of leaders are they when they cannot make one decision on an ordinance; how can we expect them to make larger than life decisions for this nation then. All these leaders can think of is Foreign Aid, increasing tariffs and protecting American interests. It is surprising how the nation’s attention is being diverted from an increase in power tariff. [click to continue...]
Dubai government banned the airing of the program ‘Meray Mutabiq’ – a Geo television networks program that was aired on Saturdays onwards till Mondays. The program was an opinionated talk show; with guests invited from different political circles of the country. The talk show has been under fire over a period of time. During the Musharaf era the anchor was initially banned from Ary Television networks and then the program, ‘Meray Mutabiq’ was banned again in the 3rd November, 2007 emergency and it remained ban till March, 2008 even after the forming of the new government. Though after the government was formed the anchor joined Pakistan Television Network (PTV), state run media channel, as MD-PTV; though later he resigned from the post and restarted his program, ‘Meray Mutabiq’; it is important to mention that Dr. Shahid Masud as a student was a member of Pakistan Peoples Party.
The banning of such a program does not only cast shadows at our government but also at the Dubai government for interfering in the freedom of expression. A few weeks back the committee on Media laws in Parliament was thinking to reinstate the 3rd November, 2007 Pemra Ordinance, which was a subjective evaluation of the media and media persons and would make them liable to heavy fines and could put the journalists behind bars.
Current government is finding it hard to maintain media in a certain limit; as issues like sugar, electricity, NRO and Kerry-Lugar Bill are being highlighted. It is sad to see that government is making more effort in curtailing the telecast of a talk-show while not making much effort on the day-to-day issues of the masses. The current step taken by the government will bring its image more down; and will lead another build-up between media and government; which will benefit the neither party and government shall not forget that media houses and programs have nothing to lose because one way or the other they find their way back but government has only 5 years to perform, prove themselves and fulfill the promises they made to the nation.
This ban should also be an alarm bell for other media houses and programs that government is slowly and gradually tightening the freedom and space around them. When phrases like, ‘media as the biggest militant’, ‘media as a terrorist’ will be used than the going will not be that easy for the media once again. Such actions of a government are not going to earn them any relief; in fact it will bring with it more scandals, bad image and a bad name to the government. There are so many fighting fronts open already for the government with issues like corruption, NRO, terrorism, Kerry-Lugar Bill, Sugar, Electric crisis, Gas shortfall and financial deficit; and banning of a program will only aggravate the problems for government. One wonder from where does government find such advisers?
I regularly visit the online news websites and they have different layouts and styles. Some of the websites concentrate on filling the front page with loads of stories and updates while others concentrate on style and flashy designs. Few are quick to open while others are bulky and takes alot of time to completely open. However, one website is truly distinguished from others and their lust for ads is very much evident on the front page of their website. I am sure you can guess it if you follow the webpages of Pakistani newspapers. Yes…i am talking about Jang Group.
I am sure every web master and site owner loves to get as much ads as possible but at the same time, they have to keep a balance between the actual content and the number of ads displayed on the site. I have just taken a screen shot of Jang Group front page to share my agony with our readers and to hear their opinion as well. The front page of Jang Group has now started frustrating me and i am sure it is the case with majority of its readers. I wonder if anyone from Jang Group will ever come forward to show our blog post to their concerned people and decrease the number of ads on their front page. This will make it more attractive for its readers as well as increase the attractiveness of the few ads on display.
Pakistan’s image in the west has always been a concern, as the only thing that reaches their ears is Nuclear weapons, Taliban, Terrorism, and Pakistan Army. Besides there are vested interests who always keep Pakistan’s stereotype image in the limelight to fulfill their agendas. So they needed an answer , and an answer they got in the form of Made in Pakistan.
MADE IN PAKISTAN is an insider’s look into “The Most Dangerous Country in the World” as labeled by a cover story in Newsweek Oct 29th 2007. The documentary follows the lives of four Pakistani individuals who defy this prevailing stereotype of the country by the very choices they have made in their lives. They are working professionals - two women entrepreneurs, a politician and a lawyer. These four individuals represent a multifaceted Pakistan - a country where politics, fashion, religion, debate and tradition intermingle - where one definition of an Islamic State no longer holds true.
Featuring the lives of:
Waleed Khalid - Lawyer & religious moderate
Rabia Aamir - Journalist & working mother
Mohsin Waraich - Aspiring Politician
Tara Mehmood - Event & PR Manager
Geo without any doubt is the leading Urdu News channel in Pakistan. Recently I came across an ad on its English Newspaper (The NEWS) website, whereby they are asking Pakistan’s Production Society to send them their programmes and they facilitate it , whereby it would be forwarded to Programming Support Department. It would be evaluated properly and results forwarded to the concerned write or producer. I ts a good initiative, since most of the times its difficult to locate where to submit your creation, and what are the guidelines for submission;
Our purpose is to facilitate Pakistan’s Production Community by ensuring that their product-be it in shape of Script, concepts or ready made program- gets to be reviewed and evaluated properly and the results forwarded to the concerned Writer/ Producer in a timely and efficient manner. Trust is the foundation of GEO’s Programming Support Division; we are independent, impartial and honest.
The words of Habib Jalib seem as applicable today as the time when they were said. Its easy for one to determine that times haven’t changed much after all. The only difference here is that the victims have grown more and more prone to the atrocities. The culprits remain free and more powerful. In this time if something has changed it is the opportunity to ‘Freedom of speech’.
Unfortunately not many in the mainstream media utilize this constructively. The freedom of speech thus rendered as a handy tool for their own vested interest. Painting the things they want as the truth and blocking the others. So who decides what is more important or problematic, not the sufferers I suppose.
I am reminded of Jalib and his words as I see images flickering by with time. the changing faces of the same old system. In all the mayhem I have but one hope that if all else is lost at least I have my ‘Harf-e-sadaqat’ loud and clear.
aur sab bhuul gaye harf-e-sadaaqat likhanaa
aur sab bhuul gaye harf-e-sadaaqat likhanaa
rah gayaa kaam hamaaraa hii baGaavat likhanaa
laakh kahate rahe.n zulmat ko na zulmat likhanaa
ham ne siikhaa hii nahii.n pyaare baa_ijaazat likhanaa
na sile kii na sitaa_ish kii tamannaa ham ko
haq me.n logo.n ke hamaarii to hai aadat likhanaa
ham ne jo bhuul ke bhii shaah kaa qasiidaa na likhaa
shaayad aayaa isii Khuubii kii badaulat likhanaa
us se ba.Dh kar merii tahasiin bhalaa kyaa hogii
pa.Dh ke naaKhush hai.n meraa saahab-e-sarvat likhanaa
dahar ke Gam se huaa rabt to ham bhuul gaye
sarv qaamat kii javaanii ko qayaamat likhanaa
kuchh bhii kahate hai.n kahe.n shaah ke masaahib ‘Jalib’
rang rakhanaa yahii apanaa isii suurat likhanaa
The two year long turmoil has finally come to an end. The chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudary has finally been restored. The same executive order that once plunged Pakistan into uncertainty has rewarded the very people today. The images of the roaring protesters have dramatically changed into a celebration of victory. The air of hostility has broken into a fresh wave of change. A change that was much anticipated by the strugglers has finally come. Self-empowerment has finally given its verdict. For the first time in the history of Pakistan the nation has finally taken a stance. History has been made by the people today. Although the reservation don’t end here The relief that the nation feels cant be denied but neither can the uncertainties. As people appear to be overwhelmingly satisfied the notion remains whether the future will actually depict change. The importance can only be determined if the change is here to stay.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman has resigned as Information Minister here on Saturday, sources said.
Sources Still trying to find the reason of her resignation and want to confirm but no PPP and Govt officails are ready to confirm this news. The reasons for her resignation has not been confirmed yet.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has not accepted her resignation sources said.
In the recent developments Pakistan People’s Party declared war against media, particularly Jang group and its journalists namely; Kamran Khan, Shaheen Sehbai, Ansar Abbassi and Shahid Masud. In the most surprising way Senior Minister of PPP in Punjab, Mr. Raja Riaz said that we will break handd of whoever tries to topple the government or try to create any such nuisance. The self-proclaimed champions; of democracy, freedom of speech and protection of rights; have now become usurpers, oppressors and civil dictators. It seems that power has got to the brains of these politicians.
Dubai government banned the airing of the program ‘Meray Mutabiq’ – a Geo television networks program that was aired on Saturdays onwards till Mondays. The program was an opinionated talk show; with guests invited from different political circles of the country. The talk show has been under fire over a period of time. During the Musharaf era the anchor was initially banned from Ary Television networks and then the program, ‘Meray Mutabiq’ was banned again in the 3rd November, 2007 emergency and it remained ban till March, 2008 even after the forming of the new government. Though after the government was formed the anchor joined Pakistan Television Network (PTV), state run media channel, as MD-PTV; though later he resigned from the post and restarted his program, ‘Meray Mutabiq’; it is important to mention that Dr. Shahid Masud as a student was a member of Pakistan Peoples Party.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman has resigned as Information Minister here on Saturday, sources said.
