An unchanted truth

It might not be the most appropriate assertion to make, but media in Pakistan is doing a bit more than what it actually should be doing. By media, I specifically denote newspapers and in today’s scenario, news channels as well.

While news and truth are usually never the same, reporting should be based on facts rather than mere opinions of anchor persons and writers/editors. It has generally been observed that facts subside with time and it is the opinion that then becomes the oft-recited
talk. I will not hesitate in terming this as ‘opinion-based’ journalism, which has significantly altered the thinking patterns of the masses.

The majority, in general, is not concerned with the solution to the given problem and rather prefers discussing the issue itself in detail. What we, the commons, need to know are the facts surrounding an incident and the possible solutions to the problem,
or at least questions that should be asked to respective authorities. One reason for this practice is the unchanging attitude prevalent in our society, in abundance.

Opinion making is necessary, but not to an extent that it hides the original facts. While we continue to make and refute opinions, we seldom have solid reasoning to back them. The nature of getting emotional on even the slightest of issues is one reason
that our mentality fails to accept a change, even if it tends to be positive.

Media has an important role to play in   politics, but the chemistry is just not there in Pakistan’s scenario. There is excessive criticism, but seldom is there an appreciation of a positive step, indicating that there is rarely something appreciable for
the citizens of Pakistan. For the betterment of this country, there should be harmony among the ruling class and power should not be subjugated to be used against the people who actually elect, or act to elect their representatives.

On the one hand, media has given us the power to raise our voice, but on the contrary, it has failed to educate us on the proper use of it. What we lack in Pakistan is ‘developmental’ journalism, with an aim to impart knowledge to the masses so that they
have ample reasoning to back their opinions.