What kind of private TV channels does government want?

Entertainment Showbiz Pakistan , Bollywood & World Entertainment
1

With these rules we will get repeat of Musharrafnama or Quran channel, and nothing more!

According to the code of conduct for a licence holder, no programme will be aired that:

a) Passes derogatory remarks about any religion or sect or community or uses visuals or words contemptuous of religious sects and ethnic groups or which promotes communal and sectarian attitudes or disharmony.

b) Contains anything pornographic, obscene or indecent or is likely to deprave, corrupt or injure the public morality.

c) Contains an abusive comment that, when taken in context, tends to or is likely to expose an individual or a group or class of individuals to hatred or contempt on the basis of race or caste, national, ethnic or linguistic origin, colour or religion or sect, sex, sexual orientation, age or mental or physical disability.

d) Contains anything defamatory or knowingly false.

e) Is likely to encourage and incite violence or contains anything against maintenance of law and order or which promotes anti-national or anti-state attitudes.

f) Contains anything amounting to contempt of court.

g) Contains aspersions against the judiciary and integrity of the armed forces.

h) Maligns or slanders any individual in person or certain groups, segments of social, public and moral life of the country.

i) Is against basic cultural values, morality and good manners.

j) Brings into contempt Pakistan or its people or tends to undermine its integrity or solidarity as an independent and sovereign country.

k) Promotes, aids or abets any offence cognisable under the Pakistan Penal Code.

l) Denigrates men or women through the depiction in any manner of the figure, in such a way as to have the effect of being indecent or derogatory.

m) Denigrates children.

n) Contains anything that tends to glorify crime or criminals.

o) Contains material detrimental to Pakistan’s relations with friendly countries.

While reporting the proceedings of the parliament or provincial assemblies, such portion of the proceedings as the chairman or the speaker may have ordered to be expunged, will not be broadcast and a fair account of the proceedings broadcast.

A license holder will also be required to maintain a record and register of programmes broadcast by him and preserve the programmes on audio and video at least 30 days. The duration of an advertising break in any private TV, radio or cable channel will not be more than three minutes continuously and there must be at least 15-minute regular programme duration between successive advertisement breaks.

Advertisements aired or distributed by a broadcast or cable TV station will be designed in such a manner that it conforms with national laws and is not offensive to morality, decency and religious feelings or religious sects of the people of Pakistan.

No advertisements will be permitted which:

a) Promotes or supports sedition, anarchy or violence in the country.

b) Is against any provisions of the Constitution or any other law in force.

c) Tends to incite people to crime, cause disorder or violence or breach of law or glorifies violence or obscenity in any way.

d) Glorifies adultery, lustful passions or alcoholic drinks or non-Islamic values.

e) Distorts historical facts, traditions of Pakistan or the person or personality of a national leader or a state dignitary.

f) Fans racial, sectarian, parochial, regional or class hatred.

g) Promotes social inequality, militates against concepts of human dignity and labour.

h) Is directed against sanctity of home, family and marriage.

i) Is wholly or mainly of a religious or political nature.

j) Contains references likely to lead the public to infer that the product advertised or any of its ingredients has some special property or quality which is incapable of being established.

k) Contains indecent, vulgar, or offensive themes or treatment.

l) Goods or services advertised shall not suffer from any defects harmful to health. Misleading claims about the goods shall not be made.

m) No advertisement likely to be seen by children in large numbers should urge them directly to purchase goods of a particular brand or ask their parents to do so. n) Advertisements must be clearly distinguishable and separate from the programmes and not in any manner take the form of news or documentary.
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jul2002-daily/27-07-2002/main/main10.htm

2

some rules make sense - others dont.

I can see this being misused by the govt officials though to brainwash the pak audience, as is done thru PTV.

I dont think it'll be misused under Mush, but I'm afraid about following regimes.

3

Non-Pakistanis and Pakistanis who own a newspaper or magazine or run a radio, television or cable network or an advertising agency will not be given a license to run a private television, radio or cable channel, The News learnt here Friday. To run a private television or radio channel, the eligible operator will not only have to obtain a license from the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) but also permission from the government of the province where the channel is to be operated.

Can someone explain the above to me? It makes no sense. I’m seeing it as “the person who polishes shoes will not be allowed to polish shoes anymore…”

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/confused.gif

4

PCG, and how does PTV brainwash people? I mean Ive been watching PTV ever since, and apart from the khabarnama, there is nothing that causes 'brainwashing'...

5

It brainwashes you in a more subtle way. See, even you didn't realize it.

Check out the shows on PTV and compare with the private channels - PTV doesn't address a lot of issues that the private channels do because of the censor policies.

For example, the rules listed above are pretty vague. On and off, PTV has put in and taken off a policy of all women wearing a dupatta on their head, since it is part of the Islamic virtues mandated by the gov't.

If you've watched Indus and ARY you'll see that the girls wear conservative clothes, but they wear a lot more western stuff than what is worn on ptv. You'll never see anyone on PTV or state-owned channels wearing sleevless clothes.

Some may consider that unIslamic, and that's fine. But to me, its fashion, and I dont view it negatively if someone wears sleevless. The Private channels dont either. But if PTV can't make up its mind what a woman needs to wear to meet Islamic requirements, you'll see this same wavering policy affecting the private channels. In addition, you have freedom to discuss some issues on private channels, that you'll never see on PTV.

Our society needs a media that is open to discuss issues in a str8forward manner, unlike PTV. For God's sakes, they restrict the issue of "rape" being discussed openly on PTV.

If they're going to put up these rules, then they need to be much more specific. Any jammat-e-islami leader could protest ALL of today's shows on the basis that they dont promote Islamic values.

But I'm thinking that ARY is based out of Europe, and Indus operates out of Bankok or Japan or someplace east of Pakistan.

So, wouldn't they have to be treated the same as the Indian channels are treated? And would Indian channels be banned permanently due to their dress codes and movies, rather than political tensions (which is the excuse Mush gives now)? Because if those Indian channels are banned, then there is no way that Indus and ARY will survive, since they are almost the same, except Pakistani.

Whatever, I hope that Indus and ARY dont pay any attention to these dumb rules, and I hope that they resort to bribery to keep their spirit of freedom running on their channels.

There. Hmph!

6

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/disgust.gif

all of da above iz in lollywood if dey end dat den dey’ll b le$$ coruption n waste (of time, money, n akhal

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/biggrin.gif

)

7

[quote]
Originally posted by PyariCgudia:
**It brainwashes you in a more subtle way. See, even you didn't realize it.

Check out the shows on PTV and compare with the private channels - PTV doesn't address a lot of issues that the private channels do because of the censor policies.

For example, the rules listed above are pretty vague. On and off, PTV has put in and taken off a policy of all women wearing a dupatta on their head, since it is part of the Islamic virtues mandated by the gov't.

If you've watched Indus and ARY you'll see that the girls wear conservative clothes, but they wear a lot more western stuff than what is worn on ptv. You'll never see anyone on PTV or state-owned channels wearing sleevless clothes.

Some may consider that unIslamic, and that's fine. But to me, its fashion, and I dont view it negatively if someone wears sleevless. The Private channels dont either. But if PTV can't make up its mind what a woman needs to wear to meet Islamic requirements, you'll see this same wavering policy affecting the private channels. In addition, you have freedom to discuss some issues on private channels, that you'll never see on PTV.

Our society needs a media that is open to discuss issues in a str8forward manner, unlike PTV. For God's sakes, they restrict the issue of "rape" being discussed openly on PTV.

If they're going to put up these rules, then they need to be much more specific. Any jammat-e-islami leader could protest ALL of today's shows on the basis that they dont promote Islamic values.

But I'm thinking that ARY is based out of Europe, and Indus operates out of Bankok or Japan or someplace east of Pakistan.

So, wouldn't they have to be treated the same as the Indian channels are treated? And would Indian channels be banned permanently due to their dress codes and movies, rather than political tensions (which is the excuse Mush gives now)? Because if those Indian channels are banned, then there is no way that Indus and ARY will survive, since they are almost the same, except Pakistani.

Whatever, I hope that Indus and ARY dont pay any attention to these dumb rules, and I hope that they resort to bribery to keep their spirit of freedom running on their channels.

There. Hmph!**
[/quote]

PGG, im still curious... If PTV shows women wearing conservative clothes, how can it be called 'brainwashing'? I suggest you have a look at the typical Pakistani kids, they know a whole lot more than you think they do, and so they arent brainwashed...

8

The power of PTV brainwashing is very real. Look at all the drams for instance. People who speak Urdu with any accent are made fun of -Pashtoons, Panjabis, Sindis etc. They are also portrayed as crminals, dacoits etc.

9

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/ok.gif

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/ok.gif

10

when a nation shows that it can not handle freedom, but needs to be introduced to danda sadly it has to be done.

This is not an issue only in Pakistan, various areas have dealt with censorship of some way shape or form, some less extreme and some more extreme. whether its israel and the issue of pornography on TV, or US and putting "parental advisory" on cd labels, or even rating of movies..

I wish that some of these rules were not there, but for the majority i dont have an issue. If we have to force media which impacts millions of people to be socially responsible because it will go out of hand, then so be it.

11

[quote]
Originally posted by Maula Baksh:
**The power of PTV brainwashing is very real. Look at all the drams for instance. People who speak Urdu with any accent are made fun of -Pashtoons, Panjabis, Sindis etc. They are also portrayed as crminals, dacoits etc.

**
[/quote]

Thats a symptom of societies stereotypes.. It exists in every country.. American television does the same thing to people with accents. In America, if you sound like an Indian, you probably work in 7 eleven.

12

[quote]
Originally posted by Adnan Ahmed:
** Thats a symptom of societies stereotypes.. It exists in every country.. American television does the same thing to people with accents. In America, if you sound like an Indian, you probably work in 7 eleven.**
[/quote]

Yes, but panjabis, sindhis, pashtoons, are not immigrants to Pakistan unlike indians in America. In fact the real immigrants are mohajirs and its their langauge we have to speak and then they make fun of people who do not speak it as well as they can or with an accent!!!!!

13

[quote]
Originally posted by Maula Baksh:
** Yes, but panjabis, sindhis, pashtoons, are not immigrants to Pakistan unlike indians in America. In fact the real immigrants are mohajirs and its their langauge we have to speak and then they make fun of people who do not speak it as well as they can or with an accent!!!!!**
[/quote]

Ok, take for example the American Southern accent.. Is there anything more stereotyped then that? If your from the South, your probabaly a red neck hill billy. Look at how they used to make fun of the Brooklyn accent of Archie Bunker. Americans make fun of how everyone talks, so does every other country, but its all in good fun though... All countries make fun of each others accent, even within their own borders... Its not meant to be offensive, just as a joke. I understand some people take offense, and for that reason the stations should be responsible, but you cant just accuse Pakistani tv of doing what the entire world is doing.

14

there is not one “mohajir” group, there are many, you have people from Hyderabad, UP, MP..and all over the place. Speaking of accents, each of these groups has its own accent so there is no “one” group with “one” accent.

Heck, I know punjabis make fun of other punjabi groups. My pals from Lahore make so much fun of sialkotis and islamabad ppl.

Sorry no “mohajir” conspiracy here. People make fun of others speaking english with a bad accent also. go yip yap about that to the brits

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/biggrin.gif

15

The brainwashing I'm talking about isn't regarding languages and cultures.

Every producer or director's interview I read says something about PTV's stringent policies.

For example:

  1. Classical dance is banned from TV. This past saturday I sat down to watch Pehli Baarish, and this theatrical/semi-classical dance performance on Sassi Pannu was on instead. My letters to Prime worked somewhat, since I did ask them to put on classical dance. So maybe NOW the censor policy has changed, but for a long time classical dance was banned because it was deemed unIslamic, vulgar, and not part of our culture.

What stupidity - its an art form, and its ignorant fools only that think its unIslamic.

Yet, somehow filmi stars dance performances - nothing more than mujras - get telecasted on PTV!

  1. You can't go into detail to show marital relations or extra-marital relations. Ptv's policy on couples holding hands keeps wavering. Making a drama can be problematic when you can't even show a married couple holding hands!

  2. Dupatta policy - wavering policy described above.

  3. Working women - almost always shown as BAD. Check out Landa Bazaar - Seemi Raheel's character is shown to be evil - even Farah Shah's character is shown to be "nak-chari" until she repents and gives in to Bali and leaves behind her "parhai" for greener pastures - ie. marriage, blushing in front of Bali, and sacrificing herself to Bali's whims and tempers.

I applaud those dramas that show working women to be strong and happy. Too few of 'em.

  1. You can NOT criticize any govt policy or govt action or person. I mean, this is the epitomy of the brain washing on PTV. If some leaders are doing wrong things, then a great way to show criticism is thru the news, comedy/parodies, and public viewpoint. None of this is shown on PTV and at the most, Moin Akhtar and Anwer Maqsood get away with some jokes, and even then there are no names involved.

  2. Viewpoints on tribal customs, etc. You can't go into detail about sexual crimes taking place in Pakistan. These sexual crimes are making Pakistan an increasingly dangerous place to live, and no one can comment on it on television. And those that do, can't go too far with it.

How can you use the media to bring change into the social/political/economic/intellectual conditions in society, when you're not even allowed to talk about it on television?

16

[quote]
Originally posted by PyariCgudia:
**The brainwashing I'm talking about isn't regarding languages and cultures.

Every producer or director's interview I read says something about PTV's stringent policies.

For example:

  1. Classical dance is banned from TV. This past saturday I sat down to watch Pehli Baarish, and this theatrical/semi-classical dance performance on Sassi Pannu was on instead. My letters to Prime worked somewhat, since I did ask them to put on classical dance. So maybe NOW the censor policy has changed, but for a long time classical dance was banned because it was deemed unIslamic, vulgar, and not part of our culture.

What stupidity - its an art form, and its ignorant fools only that think its unIslamic.

Yet, somehow filmi stars dance performances - nothing more than mujras - get telecasted on PTV!

  1. You can't go into detail to show marital relations or extra-marital relations. Ptv's policy on couples holding hands keeps wavering. Making a drama can be problematic when you can't even show a married couple holding hands!

  2. Dupatta policy - wavering policy described above.

  3. Working women - almost always shown as BAD. Check out Landa Bazaar - Seemi Raheel's character is shown to be evil - even Farah Shah's character is shown to be "nak-chari" until she repents and gives in to Bali and leaves behind her "parhai" for greener pastures - ie. marriage, blushing in front of Bali, and sacrificing herself to Bali's whims and tempers.

I applaud those dramas that show working women to be strong and happy. Too few of 'em.

  1. You can NOT criticize any govt policy or govt action or person. I mean, this is the epitomy of the brain washing on PTV. If some leaders are doing wrong things, then a great way to show criticism is thru the news, comedy/parodies, and public viewpoint. None of this is shown on PTV and at the most, Moin Akhtar and Anwer Maqsood get away with some jokes, and even then there are no names involved.

  2. Viewpoints on tribal customs, etc. You can't go into detail about sexual crimes taking place in Pakistan. These sexual crimes are making Pakistan an increasingly dangerous place to live, and no one can comment on it on television. And those that do, can't go too far with it.

How can you use the media to bring change into the social/political/economic/intellectual conditions in society, when you're not even allowed to talk about it on television?**
[/quote]

PCG, I dont think your points hold true for PTV...

  1. I have seen classical dance lots of times on PTV, and theres this one Bengali actresses (she acted as a Bengali role in dramas at first) but then she came on TV as a classical dancer on PTV...

  2. PTV in its drama has always captured Pakistani couples in the most accurate form. We dont want to see fake western versions of couples since they dont portray our society. As for holding arms, I remember a drama, Dhoop Kinaray, where Rahat Kazmi holds the hand of Marine Khan at the end of the drama.

  3. Have you ever seen a woman in Pakistan marching in a market without a duputta? Dont think of Liberty market lahore for the entire Pakistan. btw, have a look at the last lux awards on PTV, there were many women not wearing dupattas in that, so thats not imposed either.

  4. You are generalizing again. Lots of dramas show the strength of working and educated women. They also urge people to adopt modernistic approaches on PTV and show population awareness programmes.

  5. That might be true, but nowadays they invite people from the opposition in discussion programmes at night.

  6. We are not ready to discuss that openly right now. Remember we have some people (like those guys at pak affairs proposing population control was haraam) and sadly, we can only take short steps in this regards. We cannot just start discussing these topics openly. Even other state channels like doordashan does not show such things...