Once upon a time the Press was regarded as the fourth pillar of the state. It is still so, but the term Press has now acquired much wider and larger dimensions. The sensational rise of the internet and the electronic media has left the traditional ‘Press’ (the art of expression in the printed form) in a desperate ‘lurch’ to find its space in an expanding universe. Yet on the 3rd of May 2008, it was the “Press” Freedom Day that was observed, and not the “Media” Freedom Day. Meaning thereby that the term “Press” continues to embody all that is sublime in this particular sphere of activity – telling or trying to tell the truth as you see or interpret (it). It is gorgeous therefore for all those who wield the power of their pens (or the keys of their laptops) or the power of their mikes, to have this exhilarating feeling and awareness that they constitute the fourth pillar of the state. In our context the state is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It is when we open our eyes and look around to have a view of the other three pillars, that we are besieged by shock and despair. Each of the three pillars seems to have experienced the ravages of an earthquake. The judiciary is virtually in ruins. The parliament is seen trying to unconvincingly convince itself that it not only exists but is sovereign too. The Executive which normally likes to dominate the whole structure with its towering presence is in a shambles as well. It has a Chief Executive with no executive authority of his own, and a non-“chief executive” who is calling all the shots. As we recover from the shock of viewing this spectacle, a commandeering voice strikes our ears: “This country needs no more than one pillar to remain in place. “I” am that pillar. As for you who are called the fourth pillar, look at the state of the other three, and learn your lessons.”
(This Column was first published on 05-05-2008)
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