Every country has its own set of rules and regulations for the media on how to operate. Pakistan also has a regulatory body by the name of PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) that has developed to control the media and its content.
Before the discussion starts, I would state that after reading the PEMRA Ordinance, I (as a lay man) am under the impression that the laws are complete enough for the authority to maintain discipline in the media industry. In my opinion, the problem lies not in the law itself but in the implementation by the authority. Rules are made by PEMRA but are not being implemented or I should say actions are not being taken against the media for not following the rules laid down. It is a fault on the part of the authority and lack of strict actions that leads to the improper implementation of the law.
Another reason of lack of media control and shortcoming is the lack of responsibility of media owners. It is their duty to ensure that their station shows content that is in line with the rules laid down by the authority.
It would be unfair to blame any one entity. Therefore, as mentioned, media owners as well as the regulatory authority should start acting responsibly towards an improved and foolproof media.
Regards,
Anas Kamdar
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Movie Review: Network
Network came out as a shocking drama for the viewers who (if not for the first time) were getting exposed to the reality of television. I agree to the fact that one of the major purpose/objective/motive for a television channel is to earn money and the primary way to earn it is through advertisements. Advertisement follows where there is viewer ship and a channel that has high viewer ship has the chance of earning higher revenues. This movie reflects the same phenomenon by showing a News show host who is loosing his program viewer ship and his desperate attempts to attain ratings by creating sensationalism. Although the method adopted by the host was extremely unethical in my point of view but the heads of that channel did not stop it. Major reason was that the heads got a fair idea that this tactic would deliver those ratings, eventually revenues.
Another major point of discussion in this movie is that a journalist’s job is to deliver the truth and nothing else. A journalist becomes an activist when he starts running a propaganda campaign which is reflected in the movie. In both the cases, my conclusion is that it is eventually the channels’ job to ensure that it does not give birth or promote activism.
Regards,
Anas Kamdar
Another major point of discussion in this movie is that a journalist’s job is to deliver the truth and nothing else. A journalist becomes an activist when he starts running a propaganda campaign which is reflected in the movie. In both the cases, my conclusion is that it is eventually the channels’ job to ensure that it does not give birth or promote activism.
Regards,
Anas Kamdar
Journalism vs Activism
All around the world, if we pick any news channel, we see that journalism has lost its true essence. News are not merely reported or transferred with the objective of informing only, but also with the purpose of attaining viewer ship. And a channel attains viewer ship when it adds its own opinions to it. Adding opinion means holding a cause.
Talking about Pakistan, we see that our journalists working for the media are more of activists. It gets really frustrating to see shows on news channels by the name of “mere mutabiq” etc. It is criminal for a journalist to present a news/information according to what he/she thinks about the news/information. More and more current affair and talk shows are based on what the host thinks about a particular event or news or information. It is not the job of a journalist!! His/her job is to present the news in a truthful manner and let the receiver/audience make his/her own perception. Providing audience with the news coupled with own views on it kills the perceptual ability of the receiver.
Eventually, when we compare both, we get to a conclusion that journalism is strictly confined to informing the audience thru the use of credible information sources. Whereas, activism is related to achieving results and its main purpose is to attain a particular outcome(s).
Regards,
Anas Kamdar
Talking about Pakistan, we see that our journalists working for the media are more of activists. It gets really frustrating to see shows on news channels by the name of “mere mutabiq” etc. It is criminal for a journalist to present a news/information according to what he/she thinks about the news/information. More and more current affair and talk shows are based on what the host thinks about a particular event or news or information. It is not the job of a journalist!! His/her job is to present the news in a truthful manner and let the receiver/audience make his/her own perception. Providing audience with the news coupled with own views on it kills the perceptual ability of the receiver.
Eventually, when we compare both, we get to a conclusion that journalism is strictly confined to informing the audience thru the use of credible information sources. Whereas, activism is related to achieving results and its main purpose is to attain a particular outcome(s).
Regards,
Anas Kamdar
Copyright
Copyright for something means that the ownership belongs of that something belongs to someone. When we say this thing is not copyright, it means that this things is being used without the prior permission of its owner. These days, world over people tend to copyright their work. Much appreciation to the authorities that protect people’s work from illegal use. But the problem lies in the implementation of these copyright rules.
Unfortunately, law enforcement agencies are not doing much to protect the rights of copyright property owners. As the laws are there, unfortunately there are no checks and balances. Talking about media, there are channels that air content which are not obtained from a genuine source. Many cable operators are using unlicensed pirated content. Not only movies are a part but so much so that a few cable operators are airing National Geographic content download illegally from the internet.
What is required is that we need to set up a separate committee including the Law Enforcement Agency personnel and judicial panel that keeps a check on the people using pirated material. The result of this will eventually be the protection of the rights of owners and deliver confidence into the market.
Regards,
Anas Kamdar
Unfortunately, law enforcement agencies are not doing much to protect the rights of copyright property owners. As the laws are there, unfortunately there are no checks and balances. Talking about media, there are channels that air content which are not obtained from a genuine source. Many cable operators are using unlicensed pirated content. Not only movies are a part but so much so that a few cable operators are airing National Geographic content download illegally from the internet.
What is required is that we need to set up a separate committee including the Law Enforcement Agency personnel and judicial panel that keeps a check on the people using pirated material. The result of this will eventually be the protection of the rights of owners and deliver confidence into the market.
Regards,
Anas Kamdar
Monday, September 6, 2010
PEMRA Ordinance 2002
The rapid and immense rise of the broadcast sector is in Pakistan has reported to and influenced millions in Pakistan. From one terrestrial channel, 80 satellite channels and Radio Pakistan on air since 1949. There are more than a 100 FM radio stations and broadcasting is at a peak in Pakistan’s history. To oversee and administer television and radio channels, in 1992 the Government created Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA Ordinance.) This was at was developed by the Ministry to Law, Justice and Human Rights & Parliamentary Affairs in 2002 under the supervision of President of Pakistan General Pervaiz Musharraf.
The 2002 PEMRA improved earlier Media law. An authority was developed to monitor the effectiveness of the PEMRA but the ordinance seriously lacks proper and strict implementation. The monitoring of the networks, TV stations and Airwaves is not satisfactory. Proven by the practice of satellite channels that show extensive footage of blood and corpses of the victims of bomb blasts, terrorism and the regional military conflict. This is against the PEMRA Ordinance but all the channels show the bloodshed as sensationalistic ally and with disturbing video and audio content for the purpose of getting more viewership and increasing profitability. PEMRA clearly does not take any action against those channels.
When GEO TV, a major channel that is respected in the West said that Pakistan is involved in Mumbai attacks, PEMRA should have taken severe action because channels should support our national interests and respect. The possibility of causing more deaths and conspiracy by not adhering to PEMRA guidelines is against national ideals.
GEO & ARY were telecasting the news of shoe throwing on Zardari in UK, then GEO & ARY were banned and sent off air immediately in Pakistan. Which is again a false act by PEMRA because the Ordinance states that “Channels can show the truth only, even if it is against the Government but can not add any extra material to it.” So according to me, the most major problem with the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 is the need for serious implementation and use of its authority to protect Pakistan. There should not be loopholes that underscore the efficiency of the News media in Pakistan. Its lack of efficiency and consistency in regulations of TV and radio must improve for the PEMRA Ordinance of 2002 to meet the needs of a strong country facing massive problems.
Regards,
Wajeeh Fatima
The 2002 PEMRA improved earlier Media law. An authority was developed to monitor the effectiveness of the PEMRA but the ordinance seriously lacks proper and strict implementation. The monitoring of the networks, TV stations and Airwaves is not satisfactory. Proven by the practice of satellite channels that show extensive footage of blood and corpses of the victims of bomb blasts, terrorism and the regional military conflict. This is against the PEMRA Ordinance but all the channels show the bloodshed as sensationalistic ally and with disturbing video and audio content for the purpose of getting more viewership and increasing profitability. PEMRA clearly does not take any action against those channels.
When GEO TV, a major channel that is respected in the West said that Pakistan is involved in Mumbai attacks, PEMRA should have taken severe action because channels should support our national interests and respect. The possibility of causing more deaths and conspiracy by not adhering to PEMRA guidelines is against national ideals.
GEO & ARY were telecasting the news of shoe throwing on Zardari in UK, then GEO & ARY were banned and sent off air immediately in Pakistan. Which is again a false act by PEMRA because the Ordinance states that “Channels can show the truth only, even if it is against the Government but can not add any extra material to it.” So according to me, the most major problem with the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 is the need for serious implementation and use of its authority to protect Pakistan. There should not be loopholes that underscore the efficiency of the News media in Pakistan. Its lack of efficiency and consistency in regulations of TV and radio must improve for the PEMRA Ordinance of 2002 to meet the needs of a strong country facing massive problems.
Regards,
Wajeeh Fatima
Network
Network released in 1976 and is a strong satire on TV, films and media. The film won four Oscars and till 2010 is one of the greatest films according to Hollywood/ film critics. Howard Beale (Peter Finch), role was a talk show host who has low ratings but threatens suicide on national television. The studio fires him and ratings for the show went very high when he did this and then they put on air for a week to apologize but he say does not on air and says instead “life is bullshit and goes on an angry rant” and does not apologize. The studio hires him because they will make more money because for show.
The film is important because of the media culture of free speech and the film impacted writers and Hollywood because of its themes of mass media, isolation and the willingness of corporations to make profit over the breakdown of a TV show host. The show does even better and then Howard Beale gets a new show Howard Beale (called the mad prophet) The most memorable quote in the film is when audiences shout and also as asked by Howard Beale they did during a thunderstorm. From his show people across America show start shouting the phrase: We're as mad as hell, and we're not going to take this anymore." This phrase remained known in mass culture” Beale’s phrase of anger and his ranting made his mad prophet show the most highest ratings and profit.
In some of the greatest dialogue, the Studio chief Jensen tells Beales “interrelatedness of the participants in the international economy, and the illusory nature of nationality distinctions”. The Studio boss Jensen worldview ultimately persuades Beale to abandon his angry message and talks about the dehumanization of society. Ratings and the shows success start falling fast but Jensen supports Beale and does not let him get fired. A terrorist group with a show The Mao Tse Tung hour, with the studio assassinates Beale on Live television. Despite this, the film closes with "the first known instance of a man who was killed because he had lousy ratings”.
The film explores themes of media, profits and ratings of shows and the television industry. It is a very entertaining film and has influenced media culture/Hollywood and the press. It told a dramatic story of a man who desperate to get more TV success and has a mental collapse but is used by the studio and TV networks because he made more money for them now. Films, TV, music and everything moves with financial incentives and the film shows how Beale is used and his mad ravings make more money for the company. The impact of the is movie on Hollywood, media, TVC and culture is very important and it shows the individual who feels that society is destroying him his role as a mad TV show host made lots of money for the network in the film CCA. The acting and script is excellent and the movie was ahead of its times and now these themes of media, free press and the treatment of human beings versus money. I enjoyed the film and its dialogue very much and it’s a film that students and professionals should watch. When Howard Beal says “"We're as mad as hell, and we're not going to take this anymore." It became a cultural expression and this film was brilliant in its story.
Regards,
Wajeeh Fatima
The film is important because of the media culture of free speech and the film impacted writers and Hollywood because of its themes of mass media, isolation and the willingness of corporations to make profit over the breakdown of a TV show host. The show does even better and then Howard Beale gets a new show Howard Beale (called the mad prophet) The most memorable quote in the film is when audiences shout and also as asked by Howard Beale they did during a thunderstorm. From his show people across America show start shouting the phrase: We're as mad as hell, and we're not going to take this anymore." This phrase remained known in mass culture” Beale’s phrase of anger and his ranting made his mad prophet show the most highest ratings and profit.
In some of the greatest dialogue, the Studio chief Jensen tells Beales “interrelatedness of the participants in the international economy, and the illusory nature of nationality distinctions”. The Studio boss Jensen worldview ultimately persuades Beale to abandon his angry message and talks about the dehumanization of society. Ratings and the shows success start falling fast but Jensen supports Beale and does not let him get fired. A terrorist group with a show The Mao Tse Tung hour, with the studio assassinates Beale on Live television. Despite this, the film closes with "the first known instance of a man who was killed because he had lousy ratings”.
The film explores themes of media, profits and ratings of shows and the television industry. It is a very entertaining film and has influenced media culture/Hollywood and the press. It told a dramatic story of a man who desperate to get more TV success and has a mental collapse but is used by the studio and TV networks because he made more money for them now. Films, TV, music and everything moves with financial incentives and the film shows how Beale is used and his mad ravings make more money for the company. The impact of the is movie on Hollywood, media, TVC and culture is very important and it shows the individual who feels that society is destroying him his role as a mad TV show host made lots of money for the network in the film CCA. The acting and script is excellent and the movie was ahead of its times and now these themes of media, free press and the treatment of human beings versus money. I enjoyed the film and its dialogue very much and it’s a film that students and professionals should watch. When Howard Beal says “"We're as mad as hell, and we're not going to take this anymore." It became a cultural expression and this film was brilliant in its story.
Regards,
Wajeeh Fatima
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Pakistan: A Love story Documentary
Pakistan A Love Story is a short documentary on the history of romance and men and women’s stories. Gulshan Bibi married and was treated worse than an animal and threatened by Kari which would be cutting up her body in pieces by an axe. She had believed in the purity and hope of marriage but this was destroyed. In Kari female is buried at night in an unmarked grave and no prayers or funeral services. With full police support this happens.
The Cynic: Wants to highlight the scary realities of the treatment of women and also the state of society that does not grant protection to male female relationships.
The Optimist: Cinderella and Hollywood shows are mentioned to show what is true love from fairytales and films/TV. This is inspirational but real world relationships in the East and West are based on trust and commitment and not fairytales but all couples want to be like the stories of films and fairytales.
Man relates story of father who was kidnapped by friends on wedding day because his mother was against the wedding. This is because of the brutal and harsh values sometimes in Pakistan although many families and people live good successful family lives.
To a Pakistani man, the Taj Mahal is most inspiring its background and story. How it was built for the greatest empire and for love for Mumtaz Mahal.
TV. Films music all shows the stories of romance.
Jinnah love story is remembered and Vital signs, Nusrat Fateh Ali khan and film actors in lollywood. The films of the 1950s and 1960s made romance more culturally commercial and the development of the arts was influenced by romance.
Couples meet in parks in Pakistan because they have no place to meet each other for romance. They hide from their families and co-workers because it is seen as a bad thing for young men and women to be together in public. Men and women are seen to care about how rich and educated the other person is and the woman from film clip wants to be taken to expensive restaurants in Mercedes. Women and men should gain respect for romance in Pakistan and it is negative to see the reality of the romance culture in Pakistan showed in this well made documentary. The development of Gender culture in Pakistan is important and should be promoted and respected.
Regards,
Wajeeh Fatima
The Cynic: Wants to highlight the scary realities of the treatment of women and also the state of society that does not grant protection to male female relationships.
The Optimist: Cinderella and Hollywood shows are mentioned to show what is true love from fairytales and films/TV. This is inspirational but real world relationships in the East and West are based on trust and commitment and not fairytales but all couples want to be like the stories of films and fairytales.
Man relates story of father who was kidnapped by friends on wedding day because his mother was against the wedding. This is because of the brutal and harsh values sometimes in Pakistan although many families and people live good successful family lives.
To a Pakistani man, the Taj Mahal is most inspiring its background and story. How it was built for the greatest empire and for love for Mumtaz Mahal.
TV. Films music all shows the stories of romance.
Jinnah love story is remembered and Vital signs, Nusrat Fateh Ali khan and film actors in lollywood. The films of the 1950s and 1960s made romance more culturally commercial and the development of the arts was influenced by romance.
Couples meet in parks in Pakistan because they have no place to meet each other for romance. They hide from their families and co-workers because it is seen as a bad thing for young men and women to be together in public. Men and women are seen to care about how rich and educated the other person is and the woman from film clip wants to be taken to expensive restaurants in Mercedes. Women and men should gain respect for romance in Pakistan and it is negative to see the reality of the romance culture in Pakistan showed in this well made documentary. The development of Gender culture in Pakistan is important and should be promoted and respected.
Regards,
Wajeeh Fatima
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