Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

[PyariCgudia]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

In most civiilized societies, the media is censored to some degree. There is no censorship on Pakistani media, and its swung the other way. On morning talk shows, they're openly talking about sexual relations between men and women. They don't think that there are kids who understand the language playing at home during this time, listening to this?? There's not warning on the program for parents that they maybe should not let their kids watch this stuff?

Pakistani news media shows the most GORY pictures - I don't think most US channels would want to run that sort of stuff.

Mind you, one of the reasons Americans were so against the Vietnam war was that suddenly pictures of the war were on television, and for the first time a war was televised on American family television. After Vietnam, the government had the media cut down on that sort of reporting.

Abu Gharaib pictures were not all released on television - admittedly most were too sexually explicit to be shown on television, but nonetheless, there were so many protesting that even the pictures they did show would put American soldiers at harm on the field.

Do we not give the same damn for Pakistani soldiers?

[PyariCgudia]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

I was simply trying to say (only if you want to understand) that

GEO's NEWS TICKER (and Shahid Massod) was saying "ARMY HAS ENTERED THE SUPREME COURT AND ALL THE JUSTICES HAVE BEEN ARRESTED"

while at the same time (in between) GEO's OWN reporter (with cameraman) was giving live reports from INSIDE SUPREME COURT that

"ARMY HAS NOT ENTERED SUPREME COURT AND ALL THE JUDGES ARE INSIDE THE SUPREME COURT HAVING DISCUSSION.....I AM INSIDE THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING AND I DONT SEE ANY FORCES PERSONAL OTHER THAN THE REGULAR COURT STAFF"

Whether the judges were arrested later on or not, is separate thing, but I am just trying to say that GEO was spreading false news just to increase ciaos and viewer ship

Mr. Shahid is a good for nothing sensationalizer. I was watching him a few days ago, and he was actually describing plans that Benazir, Imran, etc should take to get rid fo the government. He was actually inciting people to overthrow the government. I don't think he's airing his news from Pakistani soil, or else if I were Musharraf, he'd be thrown in jail for treason.

That's irresponsible journalism, I'm sorry to say.

Journalism is reporting the facts, in a sensitive and responsible way. Its not for you to get up on your pedestal and recommend to different political parties how to overthrow the government. They don't even do that in the US!!!

He is also not qualified to be a journalist - has no journalist degree. He just likes to talk, is the conclusion I have come to.

[king_faisal]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

In most civiilized societies, the media is censored to some degree. There is no censorship on Pakistani media, and its swung the other way. On morning talk shows, they're openly talking about sexual relations between men and women. They don't think that there are kids who understand the language playing at home during this time, listening to this?? There's not warning on the program for parents that they maybe should not let their kids watch this stuff?

Pakistani news media shows the most GORY pictures - I don't think most US channels would want to run that sort of stuff.

Mind you, one of the reasons Americans were so against the Vietnam war was that suddenly pictures of the war were on television, and for the first time a war was televised on American family television. After Vietnam, the government had the media cut down on that sort of reporting.

Abu Gharaib pictures were not all released on television - admittedly most were too sexually explicit to be shown on television, but nonetheless, there were so many protesting that even the pictures they did show would put American soldiers at harm on the field.

Do we not give the same damn for Pakistani soldiers?

good point about vietnam. around that time in american history, democrats turned completely leftwing and openly started to express hatred for the armed forces. their presidential candidate in 72 elections was a real radical named george mcgovern who lost his shirt to nixon. ultimately radicalism of the democrats turned american awam completely into the arms of conservatives which resulted in the election of reagan and then bush senior. i would also argue that channels like fox news are in reaction to the liberal bias of the media after the 60's revolution and nixon impeachment. these days no american politician will dare say a word against the army.

i think you will see the same trend of events in pak. contrary to picture painted by media, pak awam is nationalist by nature and will turn against the anti-army radicals just as the american awam did after vietnam. this will not be a good thing as we have seen in america, right wing radicalism is as bad as leftwing radicalism.

as far as media's role is concerned, i would say draft played a bigger part in turning americans against the war than media images. i dont think americans would have cared if vietnamese were dying in large numbers if there was no draft.

[Ali_R]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

Mr. Shahid is a good for nothing sensationalizer. I was watching him a few days ago, and he was actually describing plans that Benazir, Imran, etc should take to get rid fo the government. He was actually inciting people to overthrow the government. I don't think he's airing his news from Pakistani soil, or else if I were Musharraf, he'd be thrown in jail for treason.

That's irresponsible journalism, I'm sorry to say.

Journalism is reporting the facts, in a sensitive and responsible way. Its not for you to get up on your pedestal and recommend to different political parties how to overthrow the government. They don't even do that in the US!!!

He is also not qualified to be a journalist - has no journalist degree. He just likes to talk, is the conclusion I have come to.

PCG, to be honest. In US is done hardly anything. The so called free media is more under controll by Neo-Cons then you ever would believe. Military and Neo-Cons have very strong relations. Nevertheless, I don't agree with mr. Shahid display and projection of many political situation. Nor is his attitude, while discussing with his counterparts very appreciative.
However I feel Al Jazeera had been practising the same, now It's under deal with US of A and all of a sudden we see changes in Al Jazeeras reporting. Geo will fall into the same hands one day or another. So don't be bothered to much. But keep in mind, this is not the so free media (you asked for) anymore then.

[Captain1]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

Well, according to law, media should not lie, should not spread unrest, should not slander anyone, should not defame anyone, should follow the guidelines given to them by government. Unfortunately, most of Pakistani media break all these laws regularly, that includes GEO and ARY, and if government get strict, they can cancel the license of all such media lawfully. Though government can cancel license of any media operator if they want to (example is Al-jazeerah transmission in USA).

Which laws are you referring to here, pre or post emergency?

[quote]
**Government has never said **that they want media not to criticise them. Rather they have encouraged positive criticism. What government wants is that media should follow rules and that is not to lie and not to defame anyone with their lies.
[/quote]

of course govt would never say that, actions speak louder than words.

[quote]
Well, if government wants to, they can bring that period back. I believe that as media is behaving, if not today than next government that could be of BB or NS, or even PML(Q) government without Musharraf may do the same, cancel all licencse in whatever name making whatever excuse (bay hayayee, defaming people, or transmitting lies).
[/quote]

The way govt is trying to "teach" them its not going to work or if it did it would be short lived. Things have to "grow", people have to "demand" media to show/drop some view/action, media will need to be taken to court for "izzat hatak" etc... this is how they will eventually grow and give up most of bias, learn to behave etc.

[Sa1eem]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

Which laws are you referring to here, pre or post emergency?

I am talking about laws that existed in Pakistan since 1947. Well, same law that exists in almost all world countries. The law that is nothing to do with emergency, but it is to do with Nation. It is because of this law, when a person wants to start a magazine or newspaper, that involves general public, one have to follow legal requirement that country requires, and if transmission media, like radio or TV, one have to take permission (think, permission for what?)

[quote]
of course govt would never say that, actions speak louder than words.
[/quote]

Well, have you not seen that president Musharraf tolerated all sort of critizm during last 8 years? If government did not wanted to, there would have been no private media in Pakistan. What you think, why government would stop same media when they become irresponsible. If you will see this forum and many other forums, you will notice that many of us have started feeling that media has become bias and irresponsible, and many demanded that media should be controlled. Government gave them a doze of emergency much after many Pakistanis felt that media was lying. If you want to I can prove you that media was bias (and are bias even now) and not only that, they lie too.

[quote]
The way govt is trying to "teach" them its not going to work or if it did it would be short lived. Things have to "grow", people have to "demand" media to show/drop some view/action, media will need to be taken to court for "izzat hatak" etc... this is how they will eventually grow and give up most of bias, learn to behave etc.
[/quote]

Well, if any one would be irresponsible and would lie, than they have to face the music of law. What media do affect other people life. What you think? If anyone starts lying about you or anyone, do you think it should be allowed and would you allow that? If media would not stop lying and defaming others, and would not stop their irresponsibility, than its best they do not get any independence.

[Reza_Pahlavi]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

Mr. Shahid is a good for nothing sensationalizer. I was watching him a few days ago, and he was actually describing plans that Benazir, Imran, etc should take to get rid fo the government. He was actually inciting people to overthrow the government. I don't think he's airing his news from Pakistani soil, or else if I were Musharraf, he'd be thrown in jail for treason.

That's irresponsible journalism, I'm sorry to say.

Journalism is reporting the facts, in a sensitive and responsible way. Its not for you to get up on your pedestal and recommend to different political parties how to overthrow the government. They don't even do that in the US!!!

He is also not qualified to be a journalist - has no journalist degree. He just likes to talk, is the conclusion I have come to.

Shahid Masood is a disgrace to journalism.

[Captain1]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

@Sa1eem

I am talking about laws that existed in Pakistan since 1947. Well, same law that exists in almost all world countries. The law that is nothing to do with emergency, but it is to do with Nation. It is because of this law, when a person wants to start a magazine or newspaper, that involves general public, one have to follow legal requirement that country requires, and if transmission media, like radio or TV, one have to take permission (think, permission for what?)

Then howcome these laws were not invoked when media was breaking these laws? Why need to shutdown?

Well, have you not seen that president Musharraf tolerated all sort of critizm during last 8 years?

He has been trying to play double game, to keep west happier he established a sham democracy (hence the tolerance/freedom), tried to establish “free” judiciary (free of influence from everyone else except Mushy) but when it didn’t work out he cut off everything. Why?

If government did not wanted to, there would have been no private media in Pakistan. What you think, why government would stop same media when they become irresponsible.

One word: Courts.

Government gave them a doze of emergency much after many Pakistanis felt that media was lying. If you want to I can prove you that media was bias (and are bias even now) and not only that, they lie too.

This is bullsh!t which might work in Swaziland but not here, unless you want to make Pakistan a la Swaziland. To reign anyone you need law enforcement not executions. What example did Mushy set? Answer: If someone doesn’t listen shut whole industry down. :k:

Well, if any one would be irresponsible and would lie, than they have to face the music of law.

WRONG! Music of dictatorship.

[Aalsi]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

@Captain1

Courts are not going to go shopping for glass of waters for us, if you don't like something on tv take them to court

What? No Suo Moto action? :)

[teggy]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

Talat Hussain of AAJ TV, while with Hamid mir on Capital Talk said if AAJ compromises on his anchoring style, he will resign. Any news on that? I hope he stays, and does what he does best, dissect the situation(s).

[Shamraz_Khan]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

and even if they do get alot of viewers, where will there content come as they will surily not be able to afford all those dramas and programes coming on now, as 90% of there revenues are from pakistan.

GEO is owned by the Jang Group, and they have enough money. BTW, how do you know 90% of the revenue they generate is from Pakistan? I'm paying $ 14.99 per month, and I don't even watch their news. There are at leas million Pakistanis in the US and Canada and if each family is paying $14.99 per month that lots of money...more money than what they can generate trough advertisement in Pakistan.

[Shamraz_Khan]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

@teggy

Talat Hussain of AAJ TV, while with Hamid mir on Capital Talk said if AAJ compromises on his anchoring style, he will resign. Any news on that? I hope he stays, and does what he does best, dissect the situation(s).

Talat Hussian is a very respected journalist, I’m sure he wont bow before the dictator & his new media curbs.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\16\story_16-11-2007_pg1_11

aj, Dawn back conditionally

PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD: The government allowed Aaj TV and Dawn News to go on air on Thursday, with certain conditions. However, sources said Aaj TV was allowed back on the condition that two of its talk shows - “Live With Talat” and “Bolta Pakistan” - would not be run. Aaj TV Director News Talat Hussain confirmed that the channel was back on air. “Any understanding between the employer and the government that will infringe on our editorial independence is unacceptable,” he said. “We will either resist or resign from our jobs,” he said. staff report

[yazdi]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

@Shamraz_Khan

Talat Hussian is a very respected journalist, I’m sure he wont bow before the dictator & his new media curbs.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\16\story_16-11-2007_pg1_11

aj, Dawn back conditionally

PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD: The government allowed Aaj TV and Dawn News to go on air on Thursday, with certain conditions. However, sources said Aaj TV was allowed back on the condition that two of its talk shows - “Live With Talat” and “Bolta Pakistan” - would not be run. Aaj TV Director News Talat Hussain confirmed that the channel was back on air. “Any understanding between the employer and the government that will infringe on our editorial independence is unacceptable,” he said. “We will either resist or resign from our jobs,” he said. staff report

SHAMRAZ THE PROBLEM OUR COUNTRY IS ANY DECENT MAN IS A CRIMINAL AND TERRORIST…EVERY BAYSHARAM AND ZAMEER FAROSH IS THRIVING…IMRAN IS BEING TRIED AS A TERRORIST…A GUY NAMED RAUF A KNOWN TERRORIST AND MASTERMIND OF BRITISH HIJACKING AFFAIR OF LAST YEAR WAS RELEASED YESTERDAY>>>>

[Mostar95]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

SHAMRAZ THE PROBLEM OUR COUNTRY IS ANY DECENT MAN IS A CRIMINAL AND TERRORIST....EVERY BAYSHARAM AND ZAMEER FAROSH IS THRIVING.....IMRAN IS BEING TRIED AS A TERRORIST.....A GUY NAMED RAUF A KNOWN TERRORIST AND MASTERMIND OF BRITISH HIJACKING AFFAIR OF LAST YEAR WAS RELEASED YESTERDAY>>>>

Aaj was reporting yesterday that he would be handed back to the UK?

[Reza_Pahlavi]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

I just cannot stand that Shahid Masood guy, he seemes to be the only analyst Geo have and he acts as though he knows it all. He is not even a qualified journalist and most of the stuff he says is just pure random nonsense*. To prove The General's point about "gutter journalism" in Pak, Geo UK was finded recently by OfCom the regulation body of Telecoms for showing pictures of dead bodies during early afternoon*.

I am glad the world is now coming to the same consclusions about the gutter journalism of Geo, as the Pak Govt has stated before.

[Caesar]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

Talat Hussain of AAJ TV, while with Hamid mir on Capital Talk said if AAJ compromises on his anchoring style, he will resign. Any news on that? I hope he stays, and does what he does best, dissect the situation(s).

Talat Hussain was born in PTV as a current affairs host. I'm not sure if he was a career journalist by education or profession before he got a big break at PTV around 1998-9 and continued there till 2002-3 I think when he joined ARY and then he shot more to journalistic stardom. He may have become big but these journalists like Talat, Hamid, Shahid, Nusrat, Mushtaq, Ansar and many others are not larger than their networks or Pakistan. I've read columns written by Talat few years ago in magazines like India Today with him writing from Islamabad and ridiculing Pakistan for them and getting paid for it. Others I'm sure are no better.
If their networks have to amputate them to save their bodies, they will do so. It has happened to many before. And remember when Geo office was attacked Talat had brought Zafar Abbas, Hamid Mir, Kashif Abbasi and few others to his show on Aaj TV and Hamid in his outburst against govt revealed his true face in a moment of truth when on being asked if the govt forced his network owners to abandon him he replied "I will leave Pakistan and join some foreign network and report from there..." And to this Zafar Abbas took offense and told him how could you and gave his example that if he as really standing up for truth he wouldn't abandon and said he worked for BBC but never left Pakistan.
These guys are all mixed up really.

[Mostar95]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

Talat Hussain was born in PTV as a current affairs host. I'm not sure if he was a career journalist by education or profession before he got a big break at PTV around 1998-9 and continued there till 2002-3 I think when he joined ARY .........

So who is true in this country?

[Caesar]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

I'm not too sure my friend Mo, I'm not even sure if you and I are as true as we should be as ideal Pakistanis, no matter where in the world we live...

[Captain1]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

@Aalsi

What? No Suo Moto action?

and we were complaining about all the suo motu actions so far, hint: reason for emergency

[Sa1eem]

Re: Media curbs relaxed - some Private TV channels back on air

It is sad, but just heard on GEO, that GEO foreign service is also closing down today (for how long, I do not know). Seems Pakistan government has made DUBAI to stop GEO transmission.

It seems that channel that threatened that they would bring the government down in 3 days, was put down by the government instead of GEO managing to bring down the government.