Mohammad Jamil
Paul Ricoeur, one of the most distinguished philosophers of the 20th century, while discussing “conscience” in his treatise stated: “It belongs to the human beings to have conscience; that is, a self-knowledge that includes minimal relational aspect of relating oneself to some instance qualified by the difference between good and evil.” Recently, Shaheen Sehbai, Group Editor of a large media group, responding to the call of conscience resigned from the group. He said: “We were ashamed of certain decisions taken by my organization. In formulating and implementing these self-defeating policies the views and suggestions of professional editors, at all levels, including myself, have been consistently ignored.” In his resignation, he also stated: “As Editor-in-Chief it is your right to run the newspaper as you like, but for professional journalists there is always a limit to which they can go along.”
When one shows utter disregard to moral values, avoids an honest, deliberate and comprehensive approach to a matter, he is considered as devoid of moral sense, unconcerned with the rightness or wrongness of something. On the other hand, those who act according to their conscience, and hold their country’s institutions in high esteem, they are conscionable elements who should be appreciated and respected. In his resignation, Saheen Sehbai stated that the policies of the paper are politically biased and lop-sided, heavily tilted politically and unnecessarily engaged in a dangerous conflict with national institutions. In an interview with a private TV channel the other day, he said that policy of vilification of the military especially at a time when the country is at war with terrorists is condemnable. According to Sehbai, the CEO and group editor-in-chief of a large media Group was waging a battle for ‘civilian ascendancy’.
Anyhow, Pakistan has witnessed many unconscionable elements who try to run down military in public eye. Some time back, one anchor person in a private TV channel stated: “America has a point when it says that Pakistan is only conducting military operation on the militants that pose threat to Pakistan, but turns a blind to the Haqqani network holed in North Waziristan”. It can be argued that when America and India, who have no borders with Afghanistan, wish to protect their strategic interests in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s desire to see a friendly government next door sounds logical and reasonable. Pakistan has been trying to bring the Taliban on the negotiation table, but the US and Afghan Government continues to pressurize Pakistan into taking action against those with whom they want to negotiate.
There are indeed patriotic elements in Pakistani print and electronic media who are aware of their national responsibility. But there is no dearth of those who have become chivalrous and obstreperous as a result of the newfound media freedom. Pseudo-intellectuals and a few politicians continued to spread despondency in a bid to prove that Pakistan was a failed state. However, it is only the urban-centric anchorpersons and their ‘brilliant’ panelists that remain preoccupied with proving each and every act of the government, military and intelligence agencies wrong. During their TV programmes, they take bleeper from Indian journalists who support their government on every count, but our ‘intelligentsia’ does not feel qualms over denigrating Pakistan. Some anchorpersons and analysts often badmouth the military while discussing Martial Laws of the past, though elected governments, civilian and military dictators were responsible in equal measure for having brought the country to the present pass.
There is a perception that elements at the social pyramid – the educated class, pseudo-intellectuals, or intelligentsia both Mandarins and Resistantes – have not performed their rightful duty of providing adequate leads to the overwhelming illiterate and immensely religious hoi polloi. Anyhow, it is moral obligation of the right thinking and responsible media men to react strongly to irresponsible behavior, no matter who commits the act. So the irresponsible minority needs strong sanctions from within the media to protect the good name and integrity of those who act responsibly. Media in the past had played prodigious role during Pakistan movement in uniting the Muslims of the subcontinent. And it was because of this unity that Muslims of the undivided India were able to carve out a separate homeland under the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam.
During 1965 war also, the media had made a commendable contribution towards uniting the nation and boosting the morale of the armed forces. The result was that Pakistan could resist and repulse attack by India – much larger in size and having enormous resources. At this point in time when Pakistan is confronting challenges to its internal and external security, Pakistani media men should rise to the occasion and play its role to counter hostile Indian propaganda and protect national interests. Immediately after Mumbai attacks, they sought comments from Indian media men and analysts who promoted Indian version and held the ISI responsible for masterminding the attack, which had brought ignominy to Pakistan. In fact, Pakistan media should become a source of support to the state; and in this regard, they can witness and learn from Indian media’s support to the government.
