Somewhat troubling and heavy the nagging thought about how much real freedom will Pakistan's growing number of channels have. That is to say, in the years to come, or even in the near future, how much freedom and latitude will the television channels be able to get for themselves? On the other hand, how much freedom and latitude can the Pakistani citizen of viewer truly accept.? How much of reality can this society take, not just officially, but even otherwise?
Such thoughts have a relevance and legitimacy as periodically there are assurances and promises from the government spokesmen that more and more TV channels being allowed. More radio stations too, and more print media as well, in keeping with the changing times, and the preconditions that are attached by western and other donors that Pakistan develop and grow as a "liberal democratic" society, in keeping with its own values. Somewhat of a contradiction, argue perceptive citizens, but that is another point. Keep it pending.
The other thought is that with technology advancing rapidly and cheaply, it is no longer that convenient to block channels or restrict their operations within the country. They can always operate from other countries, in a world that is turning smaller. And that is what is happening. Some amazingly effective channels, designed for this society, and for South Asia, are now operational making viewers choice difficult, but exciting.
Honestly speaking there is now ordinarily in this city, so much of choice that it is hard to decide what to watch! For example, if one was interested in the Wana operation that was going on, and being focused upon by the Pakistan TV, there was available at the same time the option of watching Wana news coverage from either ARY or Geo or Indus or KTN or even western channels like the CNN and the BBC. There was in the coverage the uniform official ISPR denominator, and there were perceptible differences in emphasis.
One night, on Monday, there was in addition to the Wana coverage, on the ARY an interview of the former president, Farooq Leghari (sitting very casually dressed) by that incredibly convincing and impassioned Dr Shahid Masood detailed comment later talking to him, on a deeper perspective on what happened in the Wana operation. And on what should be done. Being sleepy I moved on.
Having mentioned this precisely, brings me to the point of finding it difficult to know what is on, and what to tune into.
For example, on Tuesday night there was on a very interesting, engrossing conversation over the Geo channel with Nasim Wali Khan, and at the same time there were other interesting choices available, including the QTV channel, which has a very revealing and relevant programme called "Istekhara". The sort of questions that men and women have for "Istekhara" reflect the nature of conflicts and moral choices that people have in this society at this point in time. And there is an openness and candor that is significant. No more do people hold back their personal problems, even if others do not like them. That to me, is a major strength of Television, as compared to, say, the print media. TV versus the print media, that is another theme we will return to from time to time. The commercial side, the intellectual side, the ideological side, the political side of TV and so on.
A reason why I began with the freedom of expression theme is a story that appeared in the press on March 21, and I wish to reproduce it here without comment. It speaks for itself, in a way.
"The Sindh High Court disposed of a petition alleging propagation of obscenity and vulgarity by cable TV operators, on Friday with an observation that the petitioner had a remedy to agitate his grievance before a panel constituted by the Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for the purpose.
"The petitioner Haji Gul Ahmed, said the Pemra had not notified a council of complaints to entertain public objections to and criticism of TV programmes, as required by the law and the rules. "Deputy Attorney General Nadeem Azhar Siddiqui produced a copy of a Pemra 'public notice'".
Having said this thoughts do go out to an ongoing undercurrent, debate, and discussion that goes on about the "obscenity and vulgarity" in the media all the time. There was a time there was a lot of focus on the print media also for this, the Pakistan cinema has also been the focus for this concern, and in fact even now this point is alive and potent.
One must also note that at any given time, on any evening, for example, there are on the television such channels which could be regarded as diametrically opposed to each other in moral content, and value, in quality technical and otherwise. Take the Islamic programmes or channels that deal with some themes. These are, in sharp contrast to what other local and foreign channels are screening. The point is, whether in the long run, Pakistani society will show a maturity and the pluralism that are expected of it. Which way will society go.?
One finds it relevant to mention here that Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali has reportedly told the National Assembly that the Pakistan TV would soon start a daily 60 minute programme exclusively to air parliamentary proceedings to "remove members" complaints about the lack of coverage of their speeches". This is significant. Demands that PTV focus on the National Assembly or on the opposition, or on real life issues, or that the PTV be fair and just in its coverage, have been heard many times in the past.
The Prime Minister while speaking on a point of order in reply to a privilege motion of an MMA member, Asadullah Bhutto, was quoted as saying, "We will soon formulate a policy for PTV after consulting the opposition to give adequate coverage to members of the parliament". He added that this coverage would be different and separate from the Khabarnama news bulletin. Which makes it relevant to mention (nothing new perhaps) that the tone and content of PTV's Khabarnama have not truly changed, despite the assurances that information ministry spokesman have given in the last decade or more.
Repeated assurances!
Without intending to be funny one would like to go on with this point that another MMA MNA, Maulana Akbar Chitrali criticised the government "information policy" and argued that it was unfortunate that a "cricket team got seven hours of live coverage during the recent one day matches with India." So the Information Minister Shaikh Rashid informed him at this stage that the PTV's live coverage-earned Rs. 200 million profit, and that it had surpassed PTV's one year revenues.
On another issue I am reminded of what this newspaper had quoted the Information minister as saying (31-December 2003). He had condemned the western media's persistent campaign to malign Pakistan and urged the country's media to help counter persistent anti-Islam campaigns. He also disclosed that 20 more new TV channels are have been given permission. So wait, dear reader, for what lies ahead!