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
Network Movie Review
“I’m mad as hell and I cannot take it anymore!”
The Plot:
This movie is the story of Howard Beale Show - the longtime anchor of the UBS Evening News, who learns he has just two more weeks on the air because of declining ratings. The following night, he announces on live television that he will commit suicide by shooting himself in the head during next Tuesday's broadcast. UBS fires him after this incident, but — after some persuasion from UBS News' old guard president and Beale's best friend, Max Schumacher (William Holden) — lets him back on the air, ostensibly for a dignified farewell. Beale promises he will apologize for his outburst. However, once on the air, he launches into a rant claiming that life is "bullshit". Beale's outburst causes the newscast's ratings to increase.
Beale galvanizes the nation with his rant, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" and persuades Americans to shout out their windows during a lightning storm. Soon Beale is hosting a new program called "The Howard Beale Show", top-billed as a "mad prophet." Ultimately, the show becomes the highest rated program on television
When Beale discovers that CCA, the conglomerate that owns UBS, will be bought out by an even larger Saudi Arabian conglomerate, he launches an on-screen tirade against it, encouraging viewers to send telegrams to the White House telling them, "I want the CCA deal stopped now!"
Beale is then taken to meet with CCA chairman Arthur Jensen who explicates his own "corporate cosmology" to the attentive Beale. Jensen's world view ultimately persuades Beale to abandon his populist messages. However, television audiences find his new views on the dehumanization of society to be depressing, and ratings begin to slide. Despite this, Jensen will not allow executives to fire Beale. Solving the Beale problem plus sparking a boost in season-opener ratings — Christensen arranges for Beale's on-air assassination by the same group of urban terrorists whom she discovered earlier.
Lessons Learnt
This movie dramatically screens the impact of sensationalism and activism in media and its impact on a society. It also uncovers the players involved in making money and playing their politics to get their things done even through murder. This is something we can relate to our society as well.
Regards,
Owais Moeen
The Plot:
This movie is the story of Howard Beale Show - the longtime anchor of the UBS Evening News, who learns he has just two more weeks on the air because of declining ratings. The following night, he announces on live television that he will commit suicide by shooting himself in the head during next Tuesday's broadcast. UBS fires him after this incident, but — after some persuasion from UBS News' old guard president and Beale's best friend, Max Schumacher (William Holden) — lets him back on the air, ostensibly for a dignified farewell. Beale promises he will apologize for his outburst. However, once on the air, he launches into a rant claiming that life is "bullshit". Beale's outburst causes the newscast's ratings to increase.
Beale galvanizes the nation with his rant, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" and persuades Americans to shout out their windows during a lightning storm. Soon Beale is hosting a new program called "The Howard Beale Show", top-billed as a "mad prophet." Ultimately, the show becomes the highest rated program on television
When Beale discovers that CCA, the conglomerate that owns UBS, will be bought out by an even larger Saudi Arabian conglomerate, he launches an on-screen tirade against it, encouraging viewers to send telegrams to the White House telling them, "I want the CCA deal stopped now!"
Beale is then taken to meet with CCA chairman Arthur Jensen who explicates his own "corporate cosmology" to the attentive Beale. Jensen's world view ultimately persuades Beale to abandon his populist messages. However, television audiences find his new views on the dehumanization of society to be depressing, and ratings begin to slide. Despite this, Jensen will not allow executives to fire Beale. Solving the Beale problem plus sparking a boost in season-opener ratings — Christensen arranges for Beale's on-air assassination by the same group of urban terrorists whom she discovered earlier.
Lessons Learnt
This movie dramatically screens the impact of sensationalism and activism in media and its impact on a society. It also uncovers the players involved in making money and playing their politics to get their things done even through murder. This is something we can relate to our society as well.
Regards,
Owais Moeen
Copy Right Laws in Pakistan
Introduction
In Pakistan, copyright protection is governed by the provisions of the Copyright Ordinance, 1962 ("the Ordinance") which is modelled on the English Act of 1914. Pakistan is a member of Berne Copyright Union and the Universal Copyright Convention
This Ordinance was amended in 1992 through copyright amendment act.
Significant Clauses and Amendments
Inclusion of computer software, periodicals, video films and all kind of audio-visual works etc:
Copyright protection originally available to literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, cinematographic and architectural works, books, photographs, newspapers, engravings, lectures, records (defined as "any disc, tape, wire, perforated roll or other device in which sounds are embodied so as to be capable of being reproduced therefrom, other than a sound track associated with a cinematographic work") and sculptures is now extended to computer software, periodicals, video films and all kind of audio-visual works.
Hard Penalties and Better compensation
The Ordinance now provides stiffer penalties for offenders and better compensation to the persons whose rights have been infringed. The manner in which the copyright is breached has also been extended. Entirely new offences have been created through the Amendment Act
Section 37 of the Ordinance has been amended to restrict granting of licences to produce and publish translation of a literary or dramatic work in English, French or Spanish, hence an applicant requesting the grant of licence, upon granting of the licence and payment of prescribed royalty to the author, can produce and publish translation of a literary or dramatic work in any Pakistani language or any language not being English, French or Spanish.
Local and Foreign Work
The Ordinance has distinct provisions for Pakistani and foreign works.
Duration of Copyright:-
The period of copyright of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work (other than a photograph) is the life of the author and 50 years thereafter. In the case of a cinematographic work and a photograph, copyright subsists until 50 years from the beginning of the calendar year from publication of the work
Infringement of Copyright:-
The act of copying of work, which is entitled to copyright protection, by any method, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device constitutes an infringement of the copyright in the work. Section 56 of the Ordinance provides that copyright in a work shall be deemed to be infringed in the following cases:-
(a) when any person without the consent of the owner of the copyright or without a licence granted by such owner or the Registrar under the Ordinance or in contravention of the conditions of a licence so granted or of any condition imposed by a competent authority under the Ordinance:-
(i) does anything the exclusive right to do which is by this Ordinance conferred upon the owner of the copyright; or
(ii) permits for profit any place to be used for the performance of the work in public where such performance constitutes an infringement of the copyright in the work unless he was not aware and had no reasonable ground for suspecting, that such performance would be an infringement of the copyright, or
(b) when any person:-
(i) makes for sale or hire or sells or lets for hire, or by way of trade displays or offers for sale or hire, or
(ii) distributes either for the purpose of trade to such as extent as to affect prejudicially the owner of the copyright, or
(iii) by way of trade exhibits in public, or
(iv) imports into Pakistan, any infringing copies of the work.
COPYRIGHT FOR COMPUTER PROGRAMMES IN PAKISTAN
In Pakistan, computer programmes are excluded from patent protection under the patent laws. Protection under the copyright laws is the only safeguard available for the computer software industry.
Infringement of Computer Programmes:-
Pursuant to the restrictions imposed under Section 56 of the Ordinance, even the purchasers of computer programmes may not copy, adapt or make copies of adaption of the programmes in connection with their use by themselves or their employees. The unauthorised use of a computer programme in a computer is also infringement of the copyright. Accordingly, if a duplicate of a computer programme is acquired by someone who has no licence to use it, the copyright owner has the right to prevent him using it.
Remedies for Infringement:-
There are two remedies for breach of copyright in Pakistan; civil proceedings and criminal proceedings. Accordingly, a person whose copyright has been infringed is able to sue for damages, claim an injunction, an account of the profits gained by the defendants as a result of the infringement, delivery up of infringing articles etc
Regards,
Owais Moeen
In Pakistan, copyright protection is governed by the provisions of the Copyright Ordinance, 1962 ("the Ordinance") which is modelled on the English Act of 1914. Pakistan is a member of Berne Copyright Union and the Universal Copyright Convention
This Ordinance was amended in 1992 through copyright amendment act.
Significant Clauses and Amendments
Inclusion of computer software, periodicals, video films and all kind of audio-visual works etc:
Copyright protection originally available to literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, cinematographic and architectural works, books, photographs, newspapers, engravings, lectures, records (defined as "any disc, tape, wire, perforated roll or other device in which sounds are embodied so as to be capable of being reproduced therefrom, other than a sound track associated with a cinematographic work") and sculptures is now extended to computer software, periodicals, video films and all kind of audio-visual works.
Hard Penalties and Better compensation
The Ordinance now provides stiffer penalties for offenders and better compensation to the persons whose rights have been infringed. The manner in which the copyright is breached has also been extended. Entirely new offences have been created through the Amendment Act
Section 37 of the Ordinance has been amended to restrict granting of licences to produce and publish translation of a literary or dramatic work in English, French or Spanish, hence an applicant requesting the grant of licence, upon granting of the licence and payment of prescribed royalty to the author, can produce and publish translation of a literary or dramatic work in any Pakistani language or any language not being English, French or Spanish.
Local and Foreign Work
The Ordinance has distinct provisions for Pakistani and foreign works.
Duration of Copyright:-
The period of copyright of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work (other than a photograph) is the life of the author and 50 years thereafter. In the case of a cinematographic work and a photograph, copyright subsists until 50 years from the beginning of the calendar year from publication of the work
Infringement of Copyright:-
The act of copying of work, which is entitled to copyright protection, by any method, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device constitutes an infringement of the copyright in the work. Section 56 of the Ordinance provides that copyright in a work shall be deemed to be infringed in the following cases:-
(a) when any person without the consent of the owner of the copyright or without a licence granted by such owner or the Registrar under the Ordinance or in contravention of the conditions of a licence so granted or of any condition imposed by a competent authority under the Ordinance:-
(i) does anything the exclusive right to do which is by this Ordinance conferred upon the owner of the copyright; or
(ii) permits for profit any place to be used for the performance of the work in public where such performance constitutes an infringement of the copyright in the work unless he was not aware and had no reasonable ground for suspecting, that such performance would be an infringement of the copyright, or
(b) when any person:-
(i) makes for sale or hire or sells or lets for hire, or by way of trade displays or offers for sale or hire, or
(ii) distributes either for the purpose of trade to such as extent as to affect prejudicially the owner of the copyright, or
(iii) by way of trade exhibits in public, or
(iv) imports into Pakistan, any infringing copies of the work.
COPYRIGHT FOR COMPUTER PROGRAMMES IN PAKISTAN
In Pakistan, computer programmes are excluded from patent protection under the patent laws. Protection under the copyright laws is the only safeguard available for the computer software industry.
Infringement of Computer Programmes:-
Pursuant to the restrictions imposed under Section 56 of the Ordinance, even the purchasers of computer programmes may not copy, adapt or make copies of adaption of the programmes in connection with their use by themselves or their employees. The unauthorised use of a computer programme in a computer is also infringement of the copyright. Accordingly, if a duplicate of a computer programme is acquired by someone who has no licence to use it, the copyright owner has the right to prevent him using it.
Remedies for Infringement:-
There are two remedies for breach of copyright in Pakistan; civil proceedings and criminal proceedings. Accordingly, a person whose copyright has been infringed is able to sue for damages, claim an injunction, an account of the profits gained by the defendants as a result of the infringement, delivery up of infringing articles etc
Regards,
Owais Moeen
Media Nama – Tab aur Ab
A decent effort by the Genie Productions to compare the news media of yesterday and today.
The documentary consists of a simple plot based on the following structure
1. News Media yesterday – Tab
2. News Media today – Ab
3. Message to the news media to highlight the positive aspects of Pakistan
The point that the group want ed to make was very much loud and clear. Stop sensationalizing and improve the image of Pakistan. From production point of view, The sound mixing and video transitions were well organised, specially mixing of National Anthem at different points was like icing on the cake.
Few Flaws that I noticed, the camera angle was unorthodox at the time the opinions were recorded and sound quality had to be improved. The documentary got a little dragged up in the end but still the conclusion came up pretty strongly “Jaago Media Jaago Pakistan.!
The documentary received a great round of applause in the screening event and pretty good feedback on social media. Thumbs up to the group and a pat on my back for suggesting the name “Media-Nama”
Regards,
Owais Moeen
The documentary consists of a simple plot based on the following structure
1. News Media yesterday – Tab
2. News Media today – Ab
3. Message to the news media to highlight the positive aspects of Pakistan
The point that the group want ed to make was very much loud and clear. Stop sensationalizing and improve the image of Pakistan. From production point of view, The sound mixing and video transitions were well organised, specially mixing of National Anthem at different points was like icing on the cake.
Few Flaws that I noticed, the camera angle was unorthodox at the time the opinions were recorded and sound quality had to be improved. The documentary got a little dragged up in the end but still the conclusion came up pretty strongly “Jaago Media Jaago Pakistan.!
The documentary received a great round of applause in the screening event and pretty good feedback on social media. Thumbs up to the group and a pat on my back for suggesting the name “Media-Nama”
Regards,
Owais Moeen
Review of the Documentary: Media Nama
Media Nama highlighted the basic differences between the old news casting on PTV News few years back and the recent news casting on the satellite channels. The difference is quite prominent which has both the aspects i.e Positive and Negative.
One can see the difference in all the major aspects of news i.e news presentation which includes News Sets, Equipment, Anchors’ Wardrobe etc., news delivery, news content, body language of the news casters and much more. Even the title music of some news channel is very thrilling and sensational e.g Geo News as it was also used in the documentary.
If we go few years back when there was only one terrestrial channel PTV News, we don’t witness the above mentioned facts. In addition to that, the news content was very sophisticated and was only revolving around the present government that people mostly called it ”Sadarnama” instead of ”Khabarnama”. But nowadays, satellite channels cover every single news that is happening around you like political, business, entertainment, sports, law and order etc. and provide the masses with each and every detail of a particular news. Also, they stuff the news with a lot of unnecessary sensation in order to capture most of the audience so that the channel gets more popularity which transforms into better gallop ratings, more commercials so ultimately more revenue to the channel. Another trend has started couple of years back which is that the serious news is presented in a funny or entertaining way by putting some funny background music or song on the news e.g Shoaib Sania Marriage News, News of Zardari shaking hands with Sarah Palin and not letting go of her hand etc.
Unfortunately, one most negative aspect of the satellite channels is that they mostly focus on the negative news or only the negative side of the news. But there are so many positive things in Pakistan which the documentary revealed in the last few minutes where it showed Pakistan rankings in the globe which were mostly in top 10 positions in the fields of salt mines, railways, mountain range, ports and much more, and few of those were new to me.
In the end, I would like to conclude by saying that both PTV News and satellite channels news approach in incorrect. They both need to be moderate in the sense that PTV News should not only be focused to the positive and government news but also focus on all the unpleasant news that is happening in the country but unfortunately this cannot happen because it is against the PTV Policy. On the other hand, the satellite channels must tone themselves down a little bit and focus more on the positive side of the news and Pakistan as well.
Regards,
Syed Muhammad Danish
One can see the difference in all the major aspects of news i.e news presentation which includes News Sets, Equipment, Anchors’ Wardrobe etc., news delivery, news content, body language of the news casters and much more. Even the title music of some news channel is very thrilling and sensational e.g Geo News as it was also used in the documentary.
If we go few years back when there was only one terrestrial channel PTV News, we don’t witness the above mentioned facts. In addition to that, the news content was very sophisticated and was only revolving around the present government that people mostly called it ”Sadarnama” instead of ”Khabarnama”. But nowadays, satellite channels cover every single news that is happening around you like political, business, entertainment, sports, law and order etc. and provide the masses with each and every detail of a particular news. Also, they stuff the news with a lot of unnecessary sensation in order to capture most of the audience so that the channel gets more popularity which transforms into better gallop ratings, more commercials so ultimately more revenue to the channel. Another trend has started couple of years back which is that the serious news is presented in a funny or entertaining way by putting some funny background music or song on the news e.g Shoaib Sania Marriage News, News of Zardari shaking hands with Sarah Palin and not letting go of her hand etc.
Unfortunately, one most negative aspect of the satellite channels is that they mostly focus on the negative news or only the negative side of the news. But there are so many positive things in Pakistan which the documentary revealed in the last few minutes where it showed Pakistan rankings in the globe which were mostly in top 10 positions in the fields of salt mines, railways, mountain range, ports and much more, and few of those were new to me.
In the end, I would like to conclude by saying that both PTV News and satellite channels news approach in incorrect. They both need to be moderate in the sense that PTV News should not only be focused to the positive and government news but also focus on all the unpleasant news that is happening in the country but unfortunately this cannot happen because it is against the PTV Policy. On the other hand, the satellite channels must tone themselves down a little bit and focus more on the positive side of the news and Pakistan as well.
Regards,
Syed Muhammad Danish
Review of the Movie: Network
The character in the movie failed to follow the media ethics. The reason being the anchors are not supposed to use their channels for their personal interests. Basically, I noticed two things in the movie that were quite prominent. 1) How to make the Positive news a negative one and 2) How to make the Negative news a Positive one which is totally against the media ethics. Basically, the definition of NEWS to me, is the revealing of truth to the masses as it is without adding or deleting a single word which is the true spirit of journalism. But in the movie, the journalists were playing the role of an activist rather than the journalist because they were manipulating the news (Both Negative and Positive News) in order to gain popularity for themselves and for their channel. By doing so, naturally their channel ratings went up and the channel started making money. On the other hand, the viewers were totally misguided because they were not getting the truth, rather they were getting the manipulated news which was beneficial to only few stakeholders which is totally unethical & illegal.
Regards,
Syed Muhammad Danish
Regards,
Syed Muhammad Danish
DOCUMENTARY REVIEW Media nama-tab or abb
Media nama-tab or ab is the comparison of the today’s media and the media at the time of 1990s. It was divided into two parts; one depicting the media at the time of 1990s whereas the second part was showing the media to date.
it started with the color tone, followed by the national anthem and NTM logo and then advertisement of tapal tea, after which the News aired at 9:00 pm started. The graphics used were very simple and the background music was soothing to the ears. The newscasters were in formal attires with impressive pitch and tone. News were simple and portraying calm and serene image of Pakistan.
The second part showed the situation of news channels of today, which starts with a roaring background music, dynamic graphics, rich color palette. News casters are well dressed but mostly with fretful tone and pitch and always starting with breaking news.
The whole scenario gives the clear image of the race of earning TRPs, as today viewers have a number of options of flipping the channels, where as it was not the case in the time of 90s.
Most of the channels are trying to attract the news with glamour and beauty of the newscasters and every next second giving a breaking news, to make the audience stick to their channel.
Regards,
Roshni Zahid
it started with the color tone, followed by the national anthem and NTM logo and then advertisement of tapal tea, after which the News aired at 9:00 pm started. The graphics used were very simple and the background music was soothing to the ears. The newscasters were in formal attires with impressive pitch and tone. News were simple and portraying calm and serene image of Pakistan.
The second part showed the situation of news channels of today, which starts with a roaring background music, dynamic graphics, rich color palette. News casters are well dressed but mostly with fretful tone and pitch and always starting with breaking news.
The whole scenario gives the clear image of the race of earning TRPs, as today viewers have a number of options of flipping the channels, where as it was not the case in the time of 90s.
Most of the channels are trying to attract the news with glamour and beauty of the newscasters and every next second giving a breaking news, to make the audience stick to their channel.
Regards,
Roshni Zahid
Review: Media Nama “Tab aur Aab”
It was a nice attempt made by the makers of this documentary to show the comparison between past and the current model of how the news and the media presentations have changed. They took a trip down memory lane going back a decade ago when there were only two channels available for the audience which they had to believe and bear.
Now, although we have a huge variety of channels to swap but in real term we are in the same place as we were, LOST and MISINFORMED. Reason why I am saying is because before it was two channels that were controlled which never used to inform the true findings and now there are many uncontrolled which also make do the same by mixing and making the information so much biased and one sided due to activism.
As in this documentary, there have been clips that show that the media especially the news has become very commercial and the leading news channels like GEO NEWS and EXPRESS NEWS works largely on adding up spices and the way they say, looks more like a drama then a serious news broadcast.
Although, we see and say that media has much freedom of expression then before, that’s true. But this freedom is being used and exploited very badly to uplift their shops and bringing new blend of propaganda and controversies.
Regards,
Muhammad Munib Lodhi
Now, although we have a huge variety of channels to swap but in real term we are in the same place as we were, LOST and MISINFORMED. Reason why I am saying is because before it was two channels that were controlled which never used to inform the true findings and now there are many uncontrolled which also make do the same by mixing and making the information so much biased and one sided due to activism.
As in this documentary, there have been clips that show that the media especially the news has become very commercial and the leading news channels like GEO NEWS and EXPRESS NEWS works largely on adding up spices and the way they say, looks more like a drama then a serious news broadcast.
Although, we see and say that media has much freedom of expression then before, that’s true. But this freedom is being used and exploited very badly to uplift their shops and bringing new blend of propaganda and controversies.
Regards,
Muhammad Munib Lodhi
PEMRA
The promulgation of Ordinance, by the Federal Government, established an Authority which is known as the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance.
This does not ensure that the implementation of law is maintained and controlled in the true spirit, for a simple reason because the enforcement is not safe guarded by the authority as the execution lies in the hand of some shadow dancers.
The basis of creation of our country is Islamic State and majority of the electronic channels, clearly violates in most of the cases for mere monetary benefits. Beside violation of our cultural and social values which is evident from the dramas and songs having great influx of either Hindu culture or Western brunt.
We have our own identity as a Muslim State which needs to be projected in the best interest of our new generation. In my opinion its also one of the most vital role of PEMRA to regulate this but unfortunately they are too busy with issuing termination notices to channels again and again that are working for the masses.
Moreover all channels must be free to televise any information which is beneficial for the commoners as well as the elite class equally.
The control of Government to propagate their vested views is controlled by this clause, which is quiet unfair:
This does not ensure that the implementation of law is maintained and controlled in the true spirit, for a simple reason because the enforcement is not safe guarded by the authority as the execution lies in the hand of some shadow dancers.
The basis of creation of our country is Islamic State and majority of the electronic channels, clearly violates in most of the cases for mere monetary benefits. Beside violation of our cultural and social values which is evident from the dramas and songs having great influx of either Hindu culture or Western brunt.
We have our own identity as a Muslim State which needs to be projected in the best interest of our new generation. In my opinion its also one of the most vital role of PEMRA to regulate this but unfortunately they are too busy with issuing termination notices to channels again and again that are working for the masses.
Moreover all channels must be free to televise any information which is beneficial for the commoners as well as the elite class equally.
The control of Government to propagate their vested views is controlled by this clause, which is quiet unfair:
“The Federal Government may, as and when it considers necessary, issue directives to the Authority on matters of policy, and such directives shall be binding on the Authority, and if a question arises whether any matter is a matter of policy or not, the decision of the Federal Government shall be final”
Regards,
Muhammad Munib Lodhi
Muhammad Munib Lodhi
Network
This movie is a very clear depiction of what actually happens behind curtains of the news room. Network is all about giving the audience a unique exposure which very few documentaries or movies have ever highlighted.
From changing the theme of a news program to a social propaganda show, from changing a positive news to a negative news and vice versa , from making deals with a group of radical left-wing terrorists who film themselves robbing banks, footage to be used as a new series based on terrorists.
The movie also showed what the horrible end of such hungry people for money and fame, who have killed their consciousness and left their professional values for the sake of getting to the top and being in the lime light. (The Producer of entertainment programming, Diana Christensen's (Faye Dunaway)
Talking about the mad social prophet who realized the power of media and wanted to bring a change in the monotonous ideology of the public also had to be taken off from the screen. Besides the fact that the gate keepers and the owners of the media used him a lot making ratings and revenues, but this man Howard Beale (Peter Finch), was becoming a pain for them and eventually these shadow dancers made him dead.
Now the question remains will this a ongoing practices of these shadow dancers to eliminate anyone and everyone who comes in between their ferocious agenda???
Regards,
Muhammad Munib Lodhi
From changing the theme of a news program to a social propaganda show, from changing a positive news to a negative news and vice versa , from making deals with a group of radical left-wing terrorists who film themselves robbing banks, footage to be used as a new series based on terrorists.
The movie also showed what the horrible end of such hungry people for money and fame, who have killed their consciousness and left their professional values for the sake of getting to the top and being in the lime light. (The Producer of entertainment programming, Diana Christensen's (Faye Dunaway)
Talking about the mad social prophet who realized the power of media and wanted to bring a change in the monotonous ideology of the public also had to be taken off from the screen. Besides the fact that the gate keepers and the owners of the media used him a lot making ratings and revenues, but this man Howard Beale (Peter Finch), was becoming a pain for them and eventually these shadow dancers made him dead.
Now the question remains will this a ongoing practices of these shadow dancers to eliminate anyone and everyone who comes in between their ferocious agenda???
Regards,
Muhammad Munib Lodhi
Journalism vs. Activism
The main issue is that journalism became a branding exercise, and brands have longevity. People still trust what they hear on TV because there's this assumption that there's fact checkers in place and that news networks are legitimately competing to gain your trust.
Previously people used to see what is being said rather who is saying it. But now the scenario has changed and people focus more on who is saying and on which platform he or she is. Our yardstick has tremendously declined to a mere materialistic level showbiz which is “to biz u need to show”.
Today, it’s easier to have someone feed you news than employ journalists to go out and look for it because these opinion idols knows it well that today’s media works as a hypodermic syringe in the minds of the public.
For the public like this what is the difference between activism and journalism merely matters now and they don’t really bother to know or to explore the truth.
One day our so called media journalists take our attention to an issue from one side and in few days when they are told or they want, they totally change the mindset and thinking of these poor audience to an opposite side like in the recent case of the two brother killed in Sialkot.
Regards,
Muhammad Munib Lodhi
Previously people used to see what is being said rather who is saying it. But now the scenario has changed and people focus more on who is saying and on which platform he or she is. Our yardstick has tremendously declined to a mere materialistic level showbiz which is “to biz u need to show”.
Today, it’s easier to have someone feed you news than employ journalists to go out and look for it because these opinion idols knows it well that today’s media works as a hypodermic syringe in the minds of the public.
For the public like this what is the difference between activism and journalism merely matters now and they don’t really bother to know or to explore the truth.
One day our so called media journalists take our attention to an issue from one side and in few days when they are told or they want, they totally change the mindset and thinking of these poor audience to an opposite side like in the recent case of the two brother killed in Sialkot.
Regards,
Muhammad Munib Lodhi
Copyright
In today’s world copyright itself is not a big issue anymore, in fact its implementation is. With this rapidly growing technological era it has become very inevitable to restrain the piracy and maintain the copyright and privacy of any work, be it movie, book, report, documentary, photo or software.
Pakistan topping the list in making copy of every IT software and not only this its widely spread for music and movies as well. Although Pakistan has its copyright ordinance of 1962 but it’s also like other laws and orders which were made but never implemented completely.
The civic sense and social individual responsibility is missing among us which is constantly giving rise to this uncontrollable phenomenon. Strict social order and control should be implemented by the regulatory authorities especially the Law and the state by giving exemplary punishments to abide these unethical activities. This has to be dealt individually in each country.
Moreover, other tools of maintaining the order and control can be used like fixing particular fees, passwords, penalties or pay per view like restrictions. Some of the European countries are following these strategies very religiously and these activities are therefore banned in most parts of the globe.
Regards,
Muhammad Munib Lodhi
Pakistan topping the list in making copy of every IT software and not only this its widely spread for music and movies as well. Although Pakistan has its copyright ordinance of 1962 but it’s also like other laws and orders which were made but never implemented completely.
The civic sense and social individual responsibility is missing among us which is constantly giving rise to this uncontrollable phenomenon. Strict social order and control should be implemented by the regulatory authorities especially the Law and the state by giving exemplary punishments to abide these unethical activities. This has to be dealt individually in each country.
Moreover, other tools of maintaining the order and control can be used like fixing particular fees, passwords, penalties or pay per view like restrictions. Some of the European countries are following these strategies very religiously and these activities are therefore banned in most parts of the globe.
Regards,
Muhammad Munib Lodhi
JOURNALISM Vs. ACTIVISM
Journalism is defined as the investigation and reporting of any sort of news related to any category i.e politics, law and order, business, sports, entertainment, cultural etc. to the masses. A true journalist is supposed to convey the truth as it is, without adding or deleting any information from that particular news just for the benefit of a particular stakeholder.
On the other hand, activism is defined as an intentional action or inaction to bring about social or political change in the society for the benefit of a particular stakeholder. This action is in support of or in opposition to one side of an often controversial argument. The purpose of activism is to bring about change in social, political, environmental or other category. A person can either follow journalism or activism but can not follow both at the same time.
The movie “Network” is a very good example of Activism, in which the anchorperson was using his channel in order to promote himself, his show and the overall ratings of his channel in order to make more money to the channel and at the same time, he was succeeded to bring about a change in the minds of his viewers
Regards,
Syed Muhammad Danish
On the other hand, activism is defined as an intentional action or inaction to bring about social or political change in the society for the benefit of a particular stakeholder. This action is in support of or in opposition to one side of an often controversial argument. The purpose of activism is to bring about change in social, political, environmental or other category. A person can either follow journalism or activism but can not follow both at the same time.
The movie “Network” is a very good example of Activism, in which the anchorperson was using his channel in order to promote himself, his show and the overall ratings of his channel in order to make more money to the channel and at the same time, he was succeeded to bring about a change in the minds of his viewers
Regards,
Syed Muhammad Danish
Copyrights
Pakistan’s copy write act is know as the “Intellectual Property Act”, which was established in 1962 which was initially protecting the print media only. It was then amended in 1964 which covered the electronic media as well meaning that all the audios and videos are copy write protected. This law was again amended to meet the international standards in 2000. This law protects all the international products that are copy write protected from international copy write agencies and are marketed in Pakistan. But unfortunately, there is a loop hole in it which is as follows:
If a product is not copy write protected by the international copy write agency and is copy write protected locally by some country outside Pakistan, then Pakistan’s copy write act is unable to protect that particular product. Meaning that the product can be marketed, copied or sold in Pakistani markets without the fear of getting sued or penalized. So in this case, if the owner wants to protect his product in Pakistan, then he must pay the license fee to the copy write agency of Pakistan.
Another loop hole is that if the piracy is done and no profits are earned out of that piracy, then the copy write law is useless means that the owner can not sue the person involved in the piracy of that product. For example, in Pakistan, most of the cable operators are downloading movies, songs, plays and all this sort of stuff for their clients and users for free in order to promote themselves but they are not selling those videos and just putting on their server for their clients. So in this case, copy write law is useless.
Regards,
Syed Muhammad Danish
If a product is not copy write protected by the international copy write agency and is copy write protected locally by some country outside Pakistan, then Pakistan’s copy write act is unable to protect that particular product. Meaning that the product can be marketed, copied or sold in Pakistani markets without the fear of getting sued or penalized. So in this case, if the owner wants to protect his product in Pakistan, then he must pay the license fee to the copy write agency of Pakistan.
Another loop hole is that if the piracy is done and no profits are earned out of that piracy, then the copy write law is useless means that the owner can not sue the person involved in the piracy of that product. For example, in Pakistan, most of the cable operators are downloading movies, songs, plays and all this sort of stuff for their clients and users for free in order to promote themselves but they are not selling those videos and just putting on their server for their clients. So in this case, copy write law is useless.
Regards,
Syed Muhammad Danish
PEMRA ORDINANCE 2002
From one terrestrial channel to more than 80 satellite channels and from one Radio Pakistan to more than 100 FM radio stations, the broadcast sector has grown immensely and rapidly. In order to keep an eye on the television and radio channels, the Government came up with the new PEMRA Ordinance that 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.
This new version was more improved than the older version. An authority was developed to monitor the effectiveness of the PEMRA but unfortunately, the ordinance seriously lacks proper and strict implementation. The monitoring is not satisfactory. A good example is that the satellite channels are not supposed to show the clips of blood and corpses of the victims died on injured in a bomb blast or other stuff like that but all the channels show the clips as deeply as they can to get more viewer ship and PEMRA does not take any action against those channels. Another example is that when GEO said that Pakistan is involved in Mumbai attacks, that was when PEMRA should have taken severe action because channels can not say anything against national interest. But on the other hand, when GEO & ARY were telecasting the news of shoe throwing on Zardari in UK, then GEO & ARY were banned and sent off air immediately which is again a false act by PEMRA because the ordinance says that the channel 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 biggest loop hole in the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 is the proper and serious implementation of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002.
Regards,
Syed Muhammad Danish
This new version was more improved than the older version. An authority was developed to monitor the effectiveness of the PEMRA but unfortunately, the ordinance seriously lacks proper and strict implementation. The monitoring is not satisfactory. A good example is that the satellite channels are not supposed to show the clips of blood and corpses of the victims died on injured in a bomb blast or other stuff like that but all the channels show the clips as deeply as they can to get more viewer ship and PEMRA does not take any action against those channels. Another example is that when GEO said that Pakistan is involved in Mumbai attacks, that was when PEMRA should have taken severe action because channels can not say anything against national interest. But on the other hand, when GEO & ARY were telecasting the news of shoe throwing on Zardari in UK, then GEO & ARY were banned and sent off air immediately which is again a false act by PEMRA because the ordinance says that the channel 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 biggest loop hole in the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 is the proper and serious implementation of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002.
Regards,
Syed Muhammad Danish
Journalism vs Activism
Simply put in an equation:
Journalism – Ethics = Activism
Journalism is a noble profession but sadly, Activist Journalists have choked the dignity of this profession.
Journalism is about reporting of facts. Its about bring out the truth to the people with honesty and responsibility. Its about following certain ethics, it requires objectivity. Its about writing with your heart and passion, not for the money.
There is a fine line difference between journalism and activism. Journalism is about digging and bringing out the facts for the target audience/reader or viewer as the case maybe. It involves investigation and reporting of events, issues, and trends to a broad audience.
Activism is an action or inaction to bring about social or political change or to form an opinion on a certain issue to influence the minds of your reader mostly on a controversial argument.
Living in an age where we see media organisations fighting over each other in the race of TRPs, READERSHIP OR listnership, WE have seen a new breed of journalists... The Activist Journalists.. people who actually journalists but acting like activists!
A lot of anchors and hosts have been formulating their own opinions rather than finding or highlighting the solutions from the debates. the main concern comes is about the trust factor. Audience still trusts media which is busy formulating opinions for them. Instead of "I'm going to give you the facts" its "I'm going to give you my views" This ultimately results in a major shift in the society that can ravage people against the govt. laws even.
after the airblue crash, we saw a lot of controversies these activists tried to manipulate, although investigation of concerned authorities was being conducted and nothing documentary evidence was there.
Summing up, media needs to stand under the umbrella of journalist ethics and assume its responsibility very carefully. A journalist looks back in the past and feels proud whereas an activist feels guilty deep down inside for the misuse of his opinions and positions. Journalists must always aim to be removed from the issues they are covering. They must avoid becoming emotionally and politically involved, because once they do they are likely to lose their objectivity. They should provide the basis for a healthy and robust public debate. All journalists will have their own political points of view, but these must never creep into our journalism and they must not have any bearing on the choice of stories we cover or the way we cover them.
Regards,
Owais Moeen
Journalism – Ethics = Activism
Journalism is a noble profession but sadly, Activist Journalists have choked the dignity of this profession.
Journalism is about reporting of facts. Its about bring out the truth to the people with honesty and responsibility. Its about following certain ethics, it requires objectivity. Its about writing with your heart and passion, not for the money.
There is a fine line difference between journalism and activism. Journalism is about digging and bringing out the facts for the target audience/reader or viewer as the case maybe. It involves investigation and reporting of events, issues, and trends to a broad audience.
Activism is an action or inaction to bring about social or political change or to form an opinion on a certain issue to influence the minds of your reader mostly on a controversial argument.
Living in an age where we see media organisations fighting over each other in the race of TRPs, READERSHIP OR listnership, WE have seen a new breed of journalists... The Activist Journalists.. people who actually journalists but acting like activists!
A lot of anchors and hosts have been formulating their own opinions rather than finding or highlighting the solutions from the debates. the main concern comes is about the trust factor. Audience still trusts media which is busy formulating opinions for them. Instead of "I'm going to give you the facts" its "I'm going to give you my views" This ultimately results in a major shift in the society that can ravage people against the govt. laws even.
after the airblue crash, we saw a lot of controversies these activists tried to manipulate, although investigation of concerned authorities was being conducted and nothing documentary evidence was there.
Summing up, media needs to stand under the umbrella of journalist ethics and assume its responsibility very carefully. A journalist looks back in the past and feels proud whereas an activist feels guilty deep down inside for the misuse of his opinions and positions. Journalists must always aim to be removed from the issues they are covering. They must avoid becoming emotionally and politically involved, because once they do they are likely to lose their objectivity. They should provide the basis for a healthy and robust public debate. All journalists will have their own political points of view, but these must never creep into our journalism and they must not have any bearing on the choice of stories we cover or the way we cover them.
Regards,
Owais Moeen
PEMRA Ordinance
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority is a body made in 2002 for regulating and controlling Pakistan’s Private and Public Media. There said mandate is to Improve the standards of information, education and entertainment ; Enlarge the choice available to the people of Pakistan in the media for news, current affairs, religious knowledge, art, culture, science, technology, economic development, social sector concerns, music, sports, drama and other subjects of public and national interest ; Facilitate the devolution of responsibility and power to the grass roots by improving the access of the people to mass media at the local and community level ; Ensure accountability, transparency and good governance by optimization the free flow of information.
PEMRA Ordinance 2002 was first presidential ordinance for regulating and controlling Pakistani Private and Public Media, imposed by the General Parvez Musharraf. The main calluses from this ordinance
1. The Authority shall be responsible for regulating the establishment and operation of all broadcast media and distribution services in Pakistan established for the purpose of international, national, provincial, district, local or special target audiences.
2. The Authority shall be responsible for regulating the establishment and operation of all broadcast media and distribution services in Pakistan established for the purpose of international, national, provincial, district, local or special target audiences.
3. The Authority may, by general or special order, delegate to the Chairman or a member or any member of its staff, or an expert, consultant, adviser, or other officer or employee of the Authority any of its powers, responsibilities or functions under this Ordinance subject to such conditions as it may by rules prescribe:
4. Provided that the delegation of such power shall not include the power to grant, revoke or cancel a broadcast media or distribution service licence except Cable TV.
5. The Authority shall have exclusive right to issue licences for the establishment and operation of all broadcast media and distribution services, provided that this exclusive right shall be used by the Authority in conformity with the principles of fairness and equity applied to all potential applicants for licences whose eligibility shall be based on prescribed criteria notified in advance and that this shall be done through an open, transparent bidding process: Provided that the bidding shall be held if the number of applications exceeds the number of licences to be issued by the Authority.
6. No person shall be entitled to the benefit of any monopoly or exclusivity in the matter of broadcasting or the establishment and operation of broadcast media or distribution service48 or in the supply to or purchase from, a national broadcaster of air time, programmes or advertising material and all existing agreements and contracts to the extent of conferring a monopoly or containing an exclusivity clause are, to the extent of exclusivity, hereby declared to be inoperative and of no legal effect.
Following clauses are considered the weapons for murdering media’s freedom
27. Prohibition of broadcast media or distribution service operation60:- The Authority shall by order in writing, giving reasons therefore, prohibit any broadcast media or distribution service operator from –
(a) broadcasting or re-broadcasting or distributing any programme or advertisement if it is of the opinion that such particular programme or advertisement is against the ideology of Pakistan or is likely to create hatred among the people or is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order or is likely to disturb public peace and tranquility or endangers national security or is pornographic, obscene or vulgar or is offensive to the commonly accepted standards of decency; or
(b) engaging in any practice or act which amounts to abuse of media power by way of harming the legitimate interests of another licensee or willfully causing damage to any other person.
28. Suspension of broadcast media or distribution service61.- A broadcast media or distribution service62 operator shall not cease or suspend broadcasting except on account of force majeure or with the prior approval of the Authority.
29. Power to authorize inspection (1) The Authority may authorize any of its officers or its nominees to enter the premises of a broadcast media or distribution service63 operator for purposes of inspection64.
(2) A broadcast media station or distribution service premises65 shall, at all reasonable times, be open to inspection by an authorized officer under sub-section (1) and the licensee shall provide such officer with every assistance and facility in performing his duties.
(3) The authorized officer shall, within forty-eight hours of the inspection, submit his inspection report to the Authority.
(4)66 The Authority may authorize any of its officers to undertake investigation, in the manner it may prescribe, in any matter with regard to its functions and to seek any specific information, from any person, which the Authority may deem useful in order to enable it to determine and dispose of such matter.
(5) The Authority or as the case may be the Chairman, after issuing show cause notice to broadcast media or distribution service may seize its broadcast or distribution service equipment, or seal the premises, which is being used in contravention of the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules made thereunder or any other law:
Provided that the equipment shall be returned to the holder of a valid licence after imposing on him such penalty as the Authority may determine.
(6) The Authority may, after the licensee has been, given reasonable opportunity to show cause, impose fine up to one million rupees on a licensee who contravenes any of the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules or regulations made thereunder.
With the help of this black ordinance, both Musharraf and PPP government tried to control media, but the People’s Resistance stands with the journalists in their ongoing struggle for media freedom against all irritants, including recent amendments in PEMRA ordinance and RPPO, and restrictions on private TV channels and on their editorial content.
Citizens were invited to express their peaceful defiance and join journalists to individually light candles symbolic of the human freedom of thought and expression in the darkness imposed by the martial law-emergency. Participants of the vigil, including children, stamped their hand-prints on a white banner, symbolic of their support and salute to the organizations, journalists, writers, and staff who are standing for freedom of expression.
Regards,
Muhammad Owais
PEMRA Ordinance 2002 was first presidential ordinance for regulating and controlling Pakistani Private and Public Media, imposed by the General Parvez Musharraf. The main calluses from this ordinance
1. The Authority shall be responsible for regulating the establishment and operation of all broadcast media and distribution services in Pakistan established for the purpose of international, national, provincial, district, local or special target audiences.
2. The Authority shall be responsible for regulating the establishment and operation of all broadcast media and distribution services in Pakistan established for the purpose of international, national, provincial, district, local or special target audiences.
3. The Authority may, by general or special order, delegate to the Chairman or a member or any member of its staff, or an expert, consultant, adviser, or other officer or employee of the Authority any of its powers, responsibilities or functions under this Ordinance subject to such conditions as it may by rules prescribe:
4. Provided that the delegation of such power shall not include the power to grant, revoke or cancel a broadcast media or distribution service licence except Cable TV.
5. The Authority shall have exclusive right to issue licences for the establishment and operation of all broadcast media and distribution services, provided that this exclusive right shall be used by the Authority in conformity with the principles of fairness and equity applied to all potential applicants for licences whose eligibility shall be based on prescribed criteria notified in advance and that this shall be done through an open, transparent bidding process: Provided that the bidding shall be held if the number of applications exceeds the number of licences to be issued by the Authority.
6. No person shall be entitled to the benefit of any monopoly or exclusivity in the matter of broadcasting or the establishment and operation of broadcast media or distribution service48 or in the supply to or purchase from, a national broadcaster of air time, programmes or advertising material and all existing agreements and contracts to the extent of conferring a monopoly or containing an exclusivity clause are, to the extent of exclusivity, hereby declared to be inoperative and of no legal effect.
Following clauses are considered the weapons for murdering media’s freedom
27. Prohibition of broadcast media or distribution service operation60:- The Authority shall by order in writing, giving reasons therefore, prohibit any broadcast media or distribution service operator from –
(a) broadcasting or re-broadcasting or distributing any programme or advertisement if it is of the opinion that such particular programme or advertisement is against the ideology of Pakistan or is likely to create hatred among the people or is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order or is likely to disturb public peace and tranquility or endangers national security or is pornographic, obscene or vulgar or is offensive to the commonly accepted standards of decency; or
(b) engaging in any practice or act which amounts to abuse of media power by way of harming the legitimate interests of another licensee or willfully causing damage to any other person.
28. Suspension of broadcast media or distribution service61.- A broadcast media or distribution service62 operator shall not cease or suspend broadcasting except on account of force majeure or with the prior approval of the Authority.
29. Power to authorize inspection (1) The Authority may authorize any of its officers or its nominees to enter the premises of a broadcast media or distribution service63 operator for purposes of inspection64.
(2) A broadcast media station or distribution service premises65 shall, at all reasonable times, be open to inspection by an authorized officer under sub-section (1) and the licensee shall provide such officer with every assistance and facility in performing his duties.
(3) The authorized officer shall, within forty-eight hours of the inspection, submit his inspection report to the Authority.
(4)66 The Authority may authorize any of its officers to undertake investigation, in the manner it may prescribe, in any matter with regard to its functions and to seek any specific information, from any person, which the Authority may deem useful in order to enable it to determine and dispose of such matter.
(5) The Authority or as the case may be the Chairman, after issuing show cause notice to broadcast media or distribution service may seize its broadcast or distribution service equipment, or seal the premises, which is being used in contravention of the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules made thereunder or any other law:
Provided that the equipment shall be returned to the holder of a valid licence after imposing on him such penalty as the Authority may determine.
(6) The Authority may, after the licensee has been, given reasonable opportunity to show cause, impose fine up to one million rupees on a licensee who contravenes any of the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules or regulations made thereunder.
With the help of this black ordinance, both Musharraf and PPP government tried to control media, but the People’s Resistance stands with the journalists in their ongoing struggle for media freedom against all irritants, including recent amendments in PEMRA ordinance and RPPO, and restrictions on private TV channels and on their editorial content.
Citizens were invited to express their peaceful defiance and join journalists to individually light candles symbolic of the human freedom of thought and expression in the darkness imposed by the martial law-emergency. Participants of the vigil, including children, stamped their hand-prints on a white banner, symbolic of their support and salute to the organizations, journalists, writers, and staff who are standing for freedom of expression.
Regards,
Muhammad Owais
Journalism vs. Activism
Journalism is the timely reporting of events at the local, provincial, national and international levels. Reporting involves the gathering of information through interviewing and research, the results of which are turned into a fair and balanced story for publication or for television or radio broadcast. Journalism is not just about fact-finding, media analysis, opinion writing, or, commentary although all of those aspects can play a part at times.
According to “The Elements of Journalism”, a book by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel, there are ten elements of journalism. In order for a journalist to fulfill their duty of providing the people with the information, they need to be free and self-governing. They must follow these guidelines:
1. Journalism's first obligation is to the truth.
2. Its first loyalty is to the citizens.
3. Its essence is discipline of verification.
4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover.
5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power.
6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise.
7. It must strive to make the significant interesting, and relevant.
8. It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional.
9. Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience.
10. Its the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Generally, publishers and consumers of journalism draw a distinction between reporting — "just the facts" — and opinion writing, often by restricting opinion columns to the editorial page and its facing or "op-ed" (opposite the editorials) page. Unsigned editorials are traditionally the official opinions of the paper's editorial board, while op-ed pages may be a mixture of syndicated columns and other contributions, frequently with some attempt to balance the voices across some political or social spectrum. The distinction between reporting and opinion can break down. In the UK, the Press Complaints Commission states that "the Press, whilst free to be partisan, must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact" but some commentators have suggested there can sometimes be a blurring of opinion and fact.[5] Complex stories often require summarizing and interpretation of facts, especially if there is limited time or space for a story. Stories involving great amounts of interpretation are often labelled "news analysis," but still run in a paper's news columns. The limited time for each story in a broadcast report rarely allows for such distinctions.
However in all over the world journalism is transforming into activism, which could be described with current fast pace requirement of journalist activities in which media company apply all possible campaigning operation to make stories for news. The current tool for activism is being popular is “Citizen Journalism”, through which Media companies invite common citizen to participate in their newspaper or news channel. However they edit the news received by citizen journalists.
Activism is also contrast the real journalist job through following operations:
1. Fabricated media stories by exaggerating simple things into complex
2. News and stories with journalist personal point of view, and when a journalist tries to impose his/her point-of-view on rather than the facts.
3. When Media become party supports only one side and show only one side of story
4. Activist journalist also include selected and biased experts for their point of view
5. Behind every activist action there must be some interests of some country, political party, capitalist or any mafia etc.
6. Due the most activist deeds in journalism many times rights of common people are not considered and journalists apply every ethical or unethical exploitation of news for just gaining personal benefits.
Activism usually build following transgression in society
• Culture of sensationalization
• Politics and Economy
• Gender Discrimination
• Conflicts: Human security issues
• Mass Media and Public Interest: Norms and Ethics of Media
• Mass Media and Democracy
• Media Change and Social Change- Promoting Violent Behaviours
Regards,
Muhammad Owais
According to “The Elements of Journalism”, a book by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel, there are ten elements of journalism. In order for a journalist to fulfill their duty of providing the people with the information, they need to be free and self-governing. They must follow these guidelines:
1. Journalism's first obligation is to the truth.
2. Its first loyalty is to the citizens.
3. Its essence is discipline of verification.
4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover.
5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power.
6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise.
7. It must strive to make the significant interesting, and relevant.
8. It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional.
9. Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience.
10. Its the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Generally, publishers and consumers of journalism draw a distinction between reporting — "just the facts" — and opinion writing, often by restricting opinion columns to the editorial page and its facing or "op-ed" (opposite the editorials) page. Unsigned editorials are traditionally the official opinions of the paper's editorial board, while op-ed pages may be a mixture of syndicated columns and other contributions, frequently with some attempt to balance the voices across some political or social spectrum. The distinction between reporting and opinion can break down. In the UK, the Press Complaints Commission states that "the Press, whilst free to be partisan, must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact" but some commentators have suggested there can sometimes be a blurring of opinion and fact.[5] Complex stories often require summarizing and interpretation of facts, especially if there is limited time or space for a story. Stories involving great amounts of interpretation are often labelled "news analysis," but still run in a paper's news columns. The limited time for each story in a broadcast report rarely allows for such distinctions.
However in all over the world journalism is transforming into activism, which could be described with current fast pace requirement of journalist activities in which media company apply all possible campaigning operation to make stories for news. The current tool for activism is being popular is “Citizen Journalism”, through which Media companies invite common citizen to participate in their newspaper or news channel. However they edit the news received by citizen journalists.
Activism is also contrast the real journalist job through following operations:
1. Fabricated media stories by exaggerating simple things into complex
2. News and stories with journalist personal point of view, and when a journalist tries to impose his/her point-of-view on rather than the facts.
3. When Media become party supports only one side and show only one side of story
4. Activist journalist also include selected and biased experts for their point of view
5. Behind every activist action there must be some interests of some country, political party, capitalist or any mafia etc.
6. Due the most activist deeds in journalism many times rights of common people are not considered and journalists apply every ethical or unethical exploitation of news for just gaining personal benefits.
Activism usually build following transgression in society
• Culture of sensationalization
• Politics and Economy
• Gender Discrimination
• Conflicts: Human security issues
• Mass Media and Public Interest: Norms and Ethics of Media
• Mass Media and Democracy
• Media Change and Social Change- Promoting Violent Behaviours
Regards,
Muhammad Owais
Network Movie 1976
Media madness reigns supreme in screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky's scathing satire about the uses and abuses of network television. But while Chayefsky's and director Sidney Lumet's take on television may seem quaint in the age of "reality TV" and Jerry Springer's talk-show fisticuffs, it's every bit as potent now as it was when the film was released in 1976. And because Chayefsky was one of the greatest of all dramatists, his Oscar-winning script about the ratings frenzy at the cost of cultural integrity is a showcase for powerhouse acting by Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway and Beatrice Straight (who each won Oscars), and Oscar nominee William Holden in one of his finest roles. Finch plays a veteran network anchorman who's been fired because of low ratings. His character's response is to announce he'll kill himself on live television two weeks hence. What follows, along with skyrocketing ratings, is the anchorman's descent into insanity, during which he fervently rages against the medium that made him a celebrity. Dunaway plays the frigid, ratings-obsessed producer who pursues success with cold-blooded zeal; Holden is the married executive who tries to thaw her out during his own seething midlife crisis. Through it all, Chayefsky (via Finch) urges the viewer to repeat the now-famous mantra "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take it anymore!" to reclaim our humanity from the medium that threatens to steal it away.
The main character
Howard Beale is a fictional character from the movie Network (1976). He is played by Peter Finch, who won a posthumous Oscar for the role.
In the movie, Beale struggles to accept the ramifications of the social ails and depravity existing in the world he reports on; rather than give him the psychiatric assistance that some (like his friend Max Schumacher) believe he needs, his producers use him as a tool for getting higher ratings. The image of Howard Beale, in a beige coat with his wet, gray hair plastered to his head, standing up during the middle of his newscast saying, "I'm as mad as Hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" ranks as one of the most memorable scenes in film history (the line made #19 on the American Film Institute's list of 100 great movie quotes).
Beale's career as "The Mad Prophet of the Airwaves" is sparked by his half-joking offer, after receiving his two-weeks' notice, to kill himself on nationwide TV. He subsequently apologizes to his viewers, telling them he "ran out of bullshit". Viewers respond positively and Beale is given his own show where he can say whatever he likes. Unfortunately for the network, he exposes the ties between CCA, the corporation that owns the network, and business interests in Saudi Arabia. Arthur Jensen, CCA chairman and chief stockholder (played by Ned Beatty), thunderously explains to him his belief that money is the only true god, whereupon Beale completely turns his message around; before, he told people their lives had value and meaning, but after his meeting with Jensen, he says the opposite. His ratings drop, but Jensen orders him kept on; network executives order him to be assassinated. The film concludes with the murder of Beale on national television; a voiceover proclaims him "the first known instance of a man who was killed because he had lousy ratings."
Main Plot
Howard Beale (Peter Finch), the longtime anchor of the UBS Evening News, learns he has just two more weeks on the air because of declining ratings. The following night, he announces on live television that he will commit suicide by shooting himself in the head during next Tuesday's broadcast.[3] UBS fires him after this incident, but — after some persuasion from UBS News' old guard president and Beale's best friend, Max Schumacher (William Holden) — lets him back on the air, ostensibly for a dignified farewell. Beale promises he will apologize for his outburst. However, once on the air, he launches into a rant claiming that life is "bullshit". Beale's outburst causes the newscast's ratings to soar.
Much to Schumacher's dismay, the upper echelons of UBS decide to exploit Beale's antics rather than pulling him off the air. In one impassioned diatribe, Beale galvanizes the nation with his rant, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" and persuades Americans to shout out their windows during a lightning storm. Soon Beale is hosting a new program called "The Howard Beale Show", top-billed as a "mad prophet." Ultimately, the show becomes the highest rated program on television, and Beale finds new celebrity preaching his angry message in front of a live studio audience that, on cue, chants Beale's signature catchphrase en masse: "We're as mad as hell, and we're not going to take this anymore."
Howard Beale (Peter Finch) delivering his "mad as hell" speechBeginning as a producer of entertainment programming, Diana Christensen's (Faye Dunaway) desire to produce a hit show for the network results in her cutting a deal with a group of radical left-wing terrorists (a parody of the Symbionese Liberation Army, called the "Ecumenical Liberation Army") who film themselves robbing banks, footage to be used as the cold-opening for a new series based on terrorists for the network that she wants developed for the upcoming fall season. When Beale's nervous breakdown-fueled rants bring in high ratings, Christensen approaches Schumacher and offers to help him "develop" the show. He says no to the professional offer, but not to the personal one, and the two begin an affair. When Schumacher decides to end the "Howard as Angry Man" format, Christensen convinces her boss, Frank Hackett (Robert Duvall), to slot the evening news show under the entertainment division so she can produce it; Hackett fires Schumacher at the same time. The romance withers as the show flourishes, but in the flush of high ratings, the two ultimately find their ways back together, leading to Schumacher leaving his wife of over 25 years for Christensen. But Christensen's fanatical devotion to her job and emotional emptiness ultimately drives Max back to his wife, warning his former lover that she will self-destruct at the pace she was running with her career. "You are television incarnate, Diana," he tells her, "indifferent to suffering, insensitive to joy. All of life is reduced to the common rubble of banality."
When Beale discovers that CCA, the conglomerate that owns UBS, will be bought out by an even larger Saudi Arabian conglomerate, he launches an on-screen tirade against it, encouraging viewers to send telegrams to the White House telling them, "I want the CCA deal stopped now!" This throws the top network brass into a state of panic because the company's debt load has made merger essential for survival. Beale is then taken to meet with CCA chairman Arthur Jensen (Ned Beatty), who explicates his own "corporate cosmology" to the attentive Beale. Jensen delivers a tirade of his own in an "appropriate setting," the dramatically darkened CCA boardroom, that suggests to the docile Beale that Jensen may himself be some higher power — describing the interrelatedness of the participants in the international economy, and the illusory nature of nationality distinctions. Jensen's world view ultimately persuades Beale to abandon his populist messages. However, television audiences find his new views on the dehumanization of society to be depressing, and ratings begin to slide. Despite this, Jensen will not allow executives to fire Beale as he spreads the new 'evangel.' Seeing its two-for-the-price-of-one value — solving the Beale problem plus sparking a boost in season-opener ratings — Christensen arranges for Beale's on-air assassination by the same group of urban terrorists whom she discovered earlier and who now have their own UBS show, The Mao Tse-Tung Hour. It is, the voice-over assures, "the first known instance of a man who was killed because he had lousy ratings."
Regards,
Muhammad Owais
The main character
Howard Beale is a fictional character from the movie Network (1976). He is played by Peter Finch, who won a posthumous Oscar for the role.
In the movie, Beale struggles to accept the ramifications of the social ails and depravity existing in the world he reports on; rather than give him the psychiatric assistance that some (like his friend Max Schumacher) believe he needs, his producers use him as a tool for getting higher ratings. The image of Howard Beale, in a beige coat with his wet, gray hair plastered to his head, standing up during the middle of his newscast saying, "I'm as mad as Hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" ranks as one of the most memorable scenes in film history (the line made #19 on the American Film Institute's list of 100 great movie quotes).
Beale's career as "The Mad Prophet of the Airwaves" is sparked by his half-joking offer, after receiving his two-weeks' notice, to kill himself on nationwide TV. He subsequently apologizes to his viewers, telling them he "ran out of bullshit". Viewers respond positively and Beale is given his own show where he can say whatever he likes. Unfortunately for the network, he exposes the ties between CCA, the corporation that owns the network, and business interests in Saudi Arabia. Arthur Jensen, CCA chairman and chief stockholder (played by Ned Beatty), thunderously explains to him his belief that money is the only true god, whereupon Beale completely turns his message around; before, he told people their lives had value and meaning, but after his meeting with Jensen, he says the opposite. His ratings drop, but Jensen orders him kept on; network executives order him to be assassinated. The film concludes with the murder of Beale on national television; a voiceover proclaims him "the first known instance of a man who was killed because he had lousy ratings."
Main Plot
Howard Beale (Peter Finch), the longtime anchor of the UBS Evening News, learns he has just two more weeks on the air because of declining ratings. The following night, he announces on live television that he will commit suicide by shooting himself in the head during next Tuesday's broadcast.[3] UBS fires him after this incident, but — after some persuasion from UBS News' old guard president and Beale's best friend, Max Schumacher (William Holden) — lets him back on the air, ostensibly for a dignified farewell. Beale promises he will apologize for his outburst. However, once on the air, he launches into a rant claiming that life is "bullshit". Beale's outburst causes the newscast's ratings to soar.
Much to Schumacher's dismay, the upper echelons of UBS decide to exploit Beale's antics rather than pulling him off the air. In one impassioned diatribe, Beale galvanizes the nation with his rant, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" and persuades Americans to shout out their windows during a lightning storm. Soon Beale is hosting a new program called "The Howard Beale Show", top-billed as a "mad prophet." Ultimately, the show becomes the highest rated program on television, and Beale finds new celebrity preaching his angry message in front of a live studio audience that, on cue, chants Beale's signature catchphrase en masse: "We're as mad as hell, and we're not going to take this anymore."
Howard Beale (Peter Finch) delivering his "mad as hell" speechBeginning as a producer of entertainment programming, Diana Christensen's (Faye Dunaway) desire to produce a hit show for the network results in her cutting a deal with a group of radical left-wing terrorists (a parody of the Symbionese Liberation Army, called the "Ecumenical Liberation Army") who film themselves robbing banks, footage to be used as the cold-opening for a new series based on terrorists for the network that she wants developed for the upcoming fall season. When Beale's nervous breakdown-fueled rants bring in high ratings, Christensen approaches Schumacher and offers to help him "develop" the show. He says no to the professional offer, but not to the personal one, and the two begin an affair. When Schumacher decides to end the "Howard as Angry Man" format, Christensen convinces her boss, Frank Hackett (Robert Duvall), to slot the evening news show under the entertainment division so she can produce it; Hackett fires Schumacher at the same time. The romance withers as the show flourishes, but in the flush of high ratings, the two ultimately find their ways back together, leading to Schumacher leaving his wife of over 25 years for Christensen. But Christensen's fanatical devotion to her job and emotional emptiness ultimately drives Max back to his wife, warning his former lover that she will self-destruct at the pace she was running with her career. "You are television incarnate, Diana," he tells her, "indifferent to suffering, insensitive to joy. All of life is reduced to the common rubble of banality."
When Beale discovers that CCA, the conglomerate that owns UBS, will be bought out by an even larger Saudi Arabian conglomerate, he launches an on-screen tirade against it, encouraging viewers to send telegrams to the White House telling them, "I want the CCA deal stopped now!" This throws the top network brass into a state of panic because the company's debt load has made merger essential for survival. Beale is then taken to meet with CCA chairman Arthur Jensen (Ned Beatty), who explicates his own "corporate cosmology" to the attentive Beale. Jensen delivers a tirade of his own in an "appropriate setting," the dramatically darkened CCA boardroom, that suggests to the docile Beale that Jensen may himself be some higher power — describing the interrelatedness of the participants in the international economy, and the illusory nature of nationality distinctions. Jensen's world view ultimately persuades Beale to abandon his populist messages. However, television audiences find his new views on the dehumanization of society to be depressing, and ratings begin to slide. Despite this, Jensen will not allow executives to fire Beale as he spreads the new 'evangel.' Seeing its two-for-the-price-of-one value — solving the Beale problem plus sparking a boost in season-opener ratings — Christensen arranges for Beale's on-air assassination by the same group of urban terrorists whom she discovered earlier and who now have their own UBS show, The Mao Tse-Tung Hour. It is, the voice-over assures, "the first known instance of a man who was killed because he had lousy ratings."
Regards,
Muhammad Owais
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept enacted by most national governments, that gives the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited period of time. At its most general, it is literally “the right to copy”, but also gives the copyright holder the right to be credited for the work, to determine who (if anyone) can perform it or adapt it to other forms, to benefit financially from the work, and other related rights. It is one form of intellectual property (distinct from patents, trademarks, and trade secrets), and applies to any particular expression of an idea or information, which is substantial and self-contained in a fixed form. The symbol for copyright is “©”. (The letter C inside parentheses – “(c)” – although a common practice has never been legally recognized as a symbol for copyright.)
Scope
Copyright may apply to a wide range of creative, intellectual, or artistic forms or “works”. These include poems, theses, plays, and other literary works, movies, choreographic works (dances, ballets, etc.), musical compositions, audio recordings, paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, software, radio and television broadcasts of live and other performances, and, in some jurisdictions, industrial designs. Graphic designs or industrial designs may have separate or overlapping laws applied to them in some jurisdictions. Copyright is one of the concepts covered by the umbrella term intellectual property. Copyright does not cover ideas or information themselves, only the form or manner in which they are expressed. For example, the copyright to a Mickey Mouse cartoon restricts others from making copies of the cartoon or creating derivative works based on Disney’s particular anthropomorphic mouse, but doesn’t prohibit the creation of other works about anthropomorphic mice in general, so long as they are different enough to not be judged copies of Disney’s. In many jurisdictions, copyright law makes exceptions to these restrictions for the purpose of commentary and other related uses (See Fair Use, Fair Dealing). Other laws may impose legal restrictions which copyright does not – such as trademarks and patents. Copyright laws are standardized somewhat through international conventions such as the Berne Convention which have been ratified by most countries, and are required by international organizations such as European Union or World Trade Organization from their member states.
The legislative acts which originally established copyright law as it is known today cited two fundamental justifications for it: 1) To benefit society by promoting the creation of new works, and 2) to protect the moral rights of the creators of these works.
What works are copyrightable in Pakistan?
Copyrightable works include the following categories:
1. literary works
2. musical works, including any accompanying words
3. dramatic works, including any accompanying music
4. pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
5. motion pictures and other audiovisual works
6. sound recordings
7. architectural works
Whether registration of copyrights in Pakistan is a compulsory requirement for protection of copyrightable works?
Registration of a copyright is Pakistan is not a compulsory requirement for protection of such copyrightable works in Pakistan. Copyright is secured automatically when the work is created, and a work is “created” when it is fixed in a copy or phonorecord for the first time. There are, however, certain definite advantages to registration. Registration, however, establishes prima facie evidence in a Court of Law of the validity of the copyrights and of the facts stated in the certificate.
Copyright Protection in Pakistan
In Pakistan, copyright protection is governed by the provisions of the Copyright Ordinance, 1962 (“the Ordinance”) which is modeled on the English Act of 1914. Pakistan is a member of Berne Copyright Union and the Universal Copyright Convention. One of the most significant developments in relation to the protection of copyright in Pakistan is the recent promulgation of the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 1992 (“the Amendment Act”). Copyright protection originally available to literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, cinematographic and architectural works, books, photographs, newspapers, engravings, lectures, records (defined as “any disc, tape, wire, perforated roll or other device in which sounds are embodied so as to be capable of being reproduced therefore, other than a sound track associated with a cinematographic work”) and sculptures is now extended to computer software, periodicals, video films and all kind of audio-visual works. The Ordinance now provides stiffer penalties for offenders and better compensation to the persons whose rights have been infringed. The manner in which the copyright is breached has also been extended. Entirely new offences have been created through the Amendment Act which, inter alia, include penalties for publishing collections or compendiums of work (the Ordinance defines “work” to include literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, cinematographic works and a record) which have been adapted, translated or modified in any manner without the authority of the owner of the copyright. Section 37 of the Ordinance has been amended to restrict granting of licenses to produce and publish translation of a literary or dramatic work in English, French or Spanish, hence an applicant requesting the grant of license, upon granting of the license and payment of prescribed royalty to the author, can produce and publish translation of a literary or dramatic work in any Pakistani language or any language not being English, French or Spanish.
Foreign Authors
The Ordinance has distinct provisions for Pakistani and foreign works. Section 6(1) provides that a work published in Pakistan shall be deemed to be first published in Pakistan, notwithstanding that it has been published simultaneously in some other country, unless such other country provides a shorter term of copyright for such work; and a work is deemed to be published simultaneously in Pakistan and in another country if the time between the publication in Pakistan and the publication in such country does not exceed thirty days. Section 8 entitles a body corporate to be considered domiciled in Pakistan if it is incorporated under any law in force in Pakistan or it has an established place of business in Pakistan. Although the Ordinance has provisions for granting compulsory licenses, nevertheless, such a license can only be acquired for Pakistani work and no compulsory license can be granted for any work whose author in not a citizen of Pakistan or whose `record’ is not manufactured in Pakistan.
Duration of Copyright
The period of copyright of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work (other than a photograph) is the life of the author and 50 years thereafter. In the case of a cinematographic work and a photograph, copyright subsists until 50 years from the beginning of the calendar year from publication of the work.
Infringement of Copyright
The act of copying of work, which is entitled to copyright protection, by any method, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device constitutes an infringement of the copyright in the work. Section 56 of the Ordinance provides that copyright in a work shall be deemed to be infringed in the following cases:-
(a)when any person without the consent of the owner of the copyright or without a license granted by such owner or the Registrar under the Ordinance or in contravention of the conditions of a license so granted or of any condition imposed by a competent authority under the Ordinance:-
i. does anything the exclusive right to do which is by this Ordinance conferred upon the owner of the copyright; or
ii. permits for profit any place to be used for the performance of the work in public where such performance constitutes an infringement of the copyright in the work unless he was not aware and had no reasonable ground for suspecting, that such performance would be an infringement of the copyright, or (b)When any person:-
iii. makes for sale or hire or sells or lets for hire, or by way of trade displays or offers for sale or hire, or
iv. Distributes either for the purpose of trade to such as extent as to affect prejudicially the owner of the copyright, or
v. by way of trade exhibits in public, or
vi. Imports into Pakistan, any infringing copies of the work.
Regards,
Muhammad Owais
Scope
Copyright may apply to a wide range of creative, intellectual, or artistic forms or “works”. These include poems, theses, plays, and other literary works, movies, choreographic works (dances, ballets, etc.), musical compositions, audio recordings, paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, software, radio and television broadcasts of live and other performances, and, in some jurisdictions, industrial designs. Graphic designs or industrial designs may have separate or overlapping laws applied to them in some jurisdictions. Copyright is one of the concepts covered by the umbrella term intellectual property. Copyright does not cover ideas or information themselves, only the form or manner in which they are expressed. For example, the copyright to a Mickey Mouse cartoon restricts others from making copies of the cartoon or creating derivative works based on Disney’s particular anthropomorphic mouse, but doesn’t prohibit the creation of other works about anthropomorphic mice in general, so long as they are different enough to not be judged copies of Disney’s. In many jurisdictions, copyright law makes exceptions to these restrictions for the purpose of commentary and other related uses (See Fair Use, Fair Dealing). Other laws may impose legal restrictions which copyright does not – such as trademarks and patents. Copyright laws are standardized somewhat through international conventions such as the Berne Convention which have been ratified by most countries, and are required by international organizations such as European Union or World Trade Organization from their member states.
The legislative acts which originally established copyright law as it is known today cited two fundamental justifications for it: 1) To benefit society by promoting the creation of new works, and 2) to protect the moral rights of the creators of these works.
What works are copyrightable in Pakistan?
Copyrightable works include the following categories:
1. literary works
2. musical works, including any accompanying words
3. dramatic works, including any accompanying music
4. pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
5. motion pictures and other audiovisual works
6. sound recordings
7. architectural works
Whether registration of copyrights in Pakistan is a compulsory requirement for protection of copyrightable works?
Registration of a copyright is Pakistan is not a compulsory requirement for protection of such copyrightable works in Pakistan. Copyright is secured automatically when the work is created, and a work is “created” when it is fixed in a copy or phonorecord for the first time. There are, however, certain definite advantages to registration. Registration, however, establishes prima facie evidence in a Court of Law of the validity of the copyrights and of the facts stated in the certificate.
Copyright Protection in Pakistan
In Pakistan, copyright protection is governed by the provisions of the Copyright Ordinance, 1962 (“the Ordinance”) which is modeled on the English Act of 1914. Pakistan is a member of Berne Copyright Union and the Universal Copyright Convention. One of the most significant developments in relation to the protection of copyright in Pakistan is the recent promulgation of the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 1992 (“the Amendment Act”). Copyright protection originally available to literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, cinematographic and architectural works, books, photographs, newspapers, engravings, lectures, records (defined as “any disc, tape, wire, perforated roll or other device in which sounds are embodied so as to be capable of being reproduced therefore, other than a sound track associated with a cinematographic work”) and sculptures is now extended to computer software, periodicals, video films and all kind of audio-visual works. The Ordinance now provides stiffer penalties for offenders and better compensation to the persons whose rights have been infringed. The manner in which the copyright is breached has also been extended. Entirely new offences have been created through the Amendment Act which, inter alia, include penalties for publishing collections or compendiums of work (the Ordinance defines “work” to include literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, cinematographic works and a record) which have been adapted, translated or modified in any manner without the authority of the owner of the copyright. Section 37 of the Ordinance has been amended to restrict granting of licenses to produce and publish translation of a literary or dramatic work in English, French or Spanish, hence an applicant requesting the grant of license, upon granting of the license and payment of prescribed royalty to the author, can produce and publish translation of a literary or dramatic work in any Pakistani language or any language not being English, French or Spanish.
Foreign Authors
The Ordinance has distinct provisions for Pakistani and foreign works. Section 6(1) provides that a work published in Pakistan shall be deemed to be first published in Pakistan, notwithstanding that it has been published simultaneously in some other country, unless such other country provides a shorter term of copyright for such work; and a work is deemed to be published simultaneously in Pakistan and in another country if the time between the publication in Pakistan and the publication in such country does not exceed thirty days. Section 8 entitles a body corporate to be considered domiciled in Pakistan if it is incorporated under any law in force in Pakistan or it has an established place of business in Pakistan. Although the Ordinance has provisions for granting compulsory licenses, nevertheless, such a license can only be acquired for Pakistani work and no compulsory license can be granted for any work whose author in not a citizen of Pakistan or whose `record’ is not manufactured in Pakistan.
Duration of Copyright
The period of copyright of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work (other than a photograph) is the life of the author and 50 years thereafter. In the case of a cinematographic work and a photograph, copyright subsists until 50 years from the beginning of the calendar year from publication of the work.
Infringement of Copyright
The act of copying of work, which is entitled to copyright protection, by any method, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device constitutes an infringement of the copyright in the work. Section 56 of the Ordinance provides that copyright in a work shall be deemed to be infringed in the following cases:-
(a)when any person without the consent of the owner of the copyright or without a license granted by such owner or the Registrar under the Ordinance or in contravention of the conditions of a license so granted or of any condition imposed by a competent authority under the Ordinance:-
i. does anything the exclusive right to do which is by this Ordinance conferred upon the owner of the copyright; or
ii. permits for profit any place to be used for the performance of the work in public where such performance constitutes an infringement of the copyright in the work unless he was not aware and had no reasonable ground for suspecting, that such performance would be an infringement of the copyright, or (b)When any person:-
iii. makes for sale or hire or sells or lets for hire, or by way of trade displays or offers for sale or hire, or
iv. Distributes either for the purpose of trade to such as extent as to affect prejudicially the owner of the copyright, or
v. by way of trade exhibits in public, or
vi. Imports into Pakistan, any infringing copies of the work.
Regards,
Muhammad Owais
MEDIA NAMA AAB OR TAB
The documentary media nama aab or tab presented by our class mates is a good way to show today’s youth the transformation of media from the past years.
It tells us that the news previously was aired on the channels as a part of the channel for a set limited time to the news people. Today, there are separate news channels that broadcast news 24/7 and include every bit of what is going on in the country and internationally.
Earlier, the news broadcast was based on the government related issues and the government was given due respect and high status and was often biased. Today, the news channels broadcast news in a totally different way than earlier. They add songs to the kind of news that is being shown, add visuals that are animated etc.
In this way, the news becomes more of an entertainment for people rather than having updates of the country. In 63 years, the number of channels has increased and way of broadcasting news has drastically changed.
Earlier, the media showed entertainment which were in social and ethical boundaries. The issues discussed in programs were with due respect to our people as a nation. Today, our media shows all kinds of entertainment attached with vulgarity and have crossed a lot of boundaries too.
Earlier, the news of terrorism was not given much of importance and people were not horrified by watching news channels. Today, our media shows cut body pieces and intense violence on TV which scares the audience at large.
The youth of Pakistan must take a step ahead and work towards the betterment of our nation specially our media in order to have a peaceful and safe and secured media in future.
Regards,
Fatima Sayani
It tells us that the news previously was aired on the channels as a part of the channel for a set limited time to the news people. Today, there are separate news channels that broadcast news 24/7 and include every bit of what is going on in the country and internationally.
Earlier, the news broadcast was based on the government related issues and the government was given due respect and high status and was often biased. Today, the news channels broadcast news in a totally different way than earlier. They add songs to the kind of news that is being shown, add visuals that are animated etc.
In this way, the news becomes more of an entertainment for people rather than having updates of the country. In 63 years, the number of channels has increased and way of broadcasting news has drastically changed.
Earlier, the media showed entertainment which were in social and ethical boundaries. The issues discussed in programs were with due respect to our people as a nation. Today, our media shows all kinds of entertainment attached with vulgarity and have crossed a lot of boundaries too.
Earlier, the news of terrorism was not given much of importance and people were not horrified by watching news channels. Today, our media shows cut body pieces and intense violence on TV which scares the audience at large.
The youth of Pakistan must take a step ahead and work towards the betterment of our nation specially our media in order to have a peaceful and safe and secured media in future.
Regards,
Fatima Sayani
Documentary Review
On 22nd August I have seen five documentaries on different topics that includes the following
• Media - Fuelled by Terrorism?
• Media Nama - Tab aur Ab!!!
• Pakistan - A love Story?
• Media - The Game of TRPs or Power?
• Aaj - Talk shows k Sath.
As a media law students the main reason to present these documentaries is the same. They all want to highlight the important points from the society which the common man or a local media didn’t realize. The documentary which I would like to review is Pakistan- A love story? In that documentary ALIENATION PRODUCTION raise the most important point of old love stories and a new love stories and also the impact of these story in our society it might be negative or positive. What I understand after watching this documentary is that in our society the word love is removing. And it has a negative impact to our young generation. Because of that the rate of attempting suicide has been increase especially in the rural area.
Overall, this was a great effort by the team and best of luck for the future projects.
Regards,
Waqas Waheed
• Media - Fuelled by Terrorism?
• Media Nama - Tab aur Ab!!!
• Pakistan - A love Story?
• Media - The Game of TRPs or Power?
• Aaj - Talk shows k Sath.
As a media law students the main reason to present these documentaries is the same. They all want to highlight the important points from the society which the common man or a local media didn’t realize. The documentary which I would like to review is Pakistan- A love story? In that documentary ALIENATION PRODUCTION raise the most important point of old love stories and a new love stories and also the impact of these story in our society it might be negative or positive. What I understand after watching this documentary is that in our society the word love is removing. And it has a negative impact to our young generation. Because of that the rate of attempting suicide has been increase especially in the rural area.
Overall, this was a great effort by the team and best of luck for the future projects.
Regards,
Waqas Waheed
Media Nama – Tab aur Ab
This documentary is a good project by our classmates, subject is good making is good, though they forgot to mention the names of people being interviewed.
This documentary is made to show the difference between the media in older times and now. But the point they raised are confusing, limited and are more related to the unethical journalism plus the poor image of Pakistan being projected by our current media specially news.
Two major categories of media which are “news and current affair” and “entertainment” there is a drastic change in both categories. As media flourished in Pakistan, rather than being more informative, ethical and social friendly media is now much more unethical, bias and bad for our Pakistani culture and heritage (I am not against the modernization).
Current affair:
Previously news and current affair media was bias and was in favors of government (bad) only Pakistan (good) which are against the rules of journalism, but they use to follow the path which was in favor of our national interest and security. Like the Kashmir issue.
Entertainment:
Previously entertainment media was in the boundaries of social norms and ethics. no vulgarity in terms of dressing, dialogues and was representative of Pakistani masses. Even our advertisement was controlled and ethical.
Now entertainment is more towards nudity, vulgarity and bad image of our society. Our masses are not same as we see on our TV screen.
The question needs to be raised is: are we getting anything better out this developed media? Is our society getting any benefits out of this huge expansion and evolution?
But it seems that situation is getting worse, more panic, mental disorders, increasing disrespect in the society. This evolution has made the situation worse.
Regards,
Muhammad Raheel
This documentary is made to show the difference between the media in older times and now. But the point they raised are confusing, limited and are more related to the unethical journalism plus the poor image of Pakistan being projected by our current media specially news.
Two major categories of media which are “news and current affair” and “entertainment” there is a drastic change in both categories. As media flourished in Pakistan, rather than being more informative, ethical and social friendly media is now much more unethical, bias and bad for our Pakistani culture and heritage (I am not against the modernization).
Current affair:
Previously news and current affair media was bias and was in favors of government (bad) only Pakistan (good) which are against the rules of journalism, but they use to follow the path which was in favor of our national interest and security. Like the Kashmir issue.
Entertainment:
Previously entertainment media was in the boundaries of social norms and ethics. no vulgarity in terms of dressing, dialogues and was representative of Pakistani masses. Even our advertisement was controlled and ethical.
Now entertainment is more towards nudity, vulgarity and bad image of our society. Our masses are not same as we see on our TV screen.
The question needs to be raised is: are we getting anything better out this developed media? Is our society getting any benefits out of this huge expansion and evolution?
But it seems that situation is getting worse, more panic, mental disorders, increasing disrespect in the society. This evolution has made the situation worse.
Regards,
Muhammad Raheel
PEMRA
The institution of government was founded to protect the life, liberty and property of citizens from the usurpers be they individuals or conutries. Or, what purpose could or does it serve? Surely, people did not and do not need somebodies to rule them? But, with the passage of time, various ambitious individuals, elites, representatives of this or that class, and organized political/religious parties, monopolized it to rule the people, to regulate their lives according to their philosophies, ideologies, visions, wishes and tastes. Thus, the institution of government started losing its rai-sons d'e-tre.
In Pakistan too, the institution of government has become a tool in the hands of such utopian adventurers. As regards the electronic media, first there was the tyranny of the state-sponsored Pakistan Television. People had to watch or listen to what the government wanted them to watch and listen to. Then, there was a bit of liberalization. One or two other channels made their debut under the censorship of the government. But, the advancement in technology played its role in empowering people to have their choice. Dish antenna gave them more freedom, but this freedom was restricted to those who could afford its high price and the license fee levied by the government. It was an innovation on the part of small business people that they started operating various channels available on the dish through cable and brought them within the reach of many a people. This was illegal. As creation is always followed by regulation and taxation, so, the people in the government thought of taxing and regulating it. This is how Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) came to be established on March 1, 2002.
It was mandated to:
1. Improve the standards of information, education and entertainment.
2. Enlarge the choice available to the people of Pakistan in the media for news, current affairs, religious knowledge, art, culture, science, technology, economic development, social sector concerns, music, sports, drama and other subjects of public and national interest.
3. Facilitate the devolution of responsibility and power to the grass-roots by improving the access of the people to mass media at the local and community level; and
4. Ensure accountability, transparency and good governance by optimizing the free flow of information. [http://www.pemra.gov.pk/index.html]
But, the way PEMRA is behaving goes starkly against its mandate. Instead of improving, it is deteriorating the standards of information, education and entertainment. Instead of enlarging, it is restricting the choice available to the people of Pakistan in the media for news, current affairs, religious knowledge, art, culture, science, technology, economic development, social sector concerns, music, sports, drama and other subjects of public and national interest. Instead of facilitating, it is blocking the devolution of responsibility and power to the grass-roots by restricting the access of the people to mass media at the local and community level. And, instead of ensuring accountability, transparency and good governance by optimizing the free flow of information, it is thwarting this process by obstructing the free flow of information.
In addition to the unwelcome requirements for obtaining Cable TV license comprising 8 categories ranging from B-1 to B-8 based on the number of subscribers, PEMRA controls the Cable TV by manipulating the tariff structure. For inclusion of new channel in the list, all the interested parties are required to have to make formal request to the PEMRA followed by a presentation by local agents or channel holders about the contents of program. The most sinister part of PEMRA is its banning of various foreign or particularly Indian TV channels on this or that pretext, and that too totally against the wishes and demand of the people. But, the most glaring example of its going against its own mandate is its ‘List of 54 Cable TV Eligible Foreign Channels’ [http://www.pemra.gov.pk/list_.html] which lets no Cable TV operator act freely to meet the demands of its clients. This is not only a setback to the Cable TV business but an encroachment upon the freedom and choice of the people also.
This list is tagged by conditions such as: that Cable TV operators will have to apply mosaicking to eliminate undesirable segments/parts of the program (parts of programs that are not in conformity with PEMRA program and advertisement codes from eligible channels). The channels in the PEMRA list include 2 religious, 9 news (out of which 2 are in Arabic and 7 in English), 8 educational/information (all in English), 6 kids (all in English), 12 sports, 17 entertainment (out of which 9 or 10 are in English, two in Chinese, one in Bengali and one in Turkish and others) channels. As to Chinese, Turkish and Arabic channels, no doubt people in Pakistan won’t be interested in watching them even if they are given the opportunity to choose to do so. These languages are beyond their comprehension. Although, a little number of people may understand and enjoy most of other news, educational/information, kids, sports and entertainment channels in English (more than 30) but majority of people can have no interest in them.
As this selection of channels by PEMRA does not include Pakistani Urdu and other regional languages channels and which means that people are free, or in this case, forced, to watch them, one is at a loss why other international Urdu channels have not been considered for this list? Clearly, they must have been part of this list for the sole reason that the language spoken and understood on the both sides of the borderline, i.e. in India and Pakistan, is same. But, probably because of the fact that most of such international Urdu channels are based and being telecast from India, and, information ministry of Pakistan has a history of banning the Indian channels on the pretext of countering the cultural invasion, political propaganda, and protecting our national values, all of these channels have been banned. This is inadvertently described by information policy makers in Pakistan as an act of patriotism.
But, on the other hand, we have a very different story to relate. When during the 80s first ever Indian movie was to be telecast from an Indian channel and which could be viewed in the city of Lahore, there was shortage of TV sets and antennas in the market of Lahore, and there were too many people in Lahore landed from other cities to watch that movie. Months back when this time the ban on Indian channels was imposed, people especially women launched a vehement protest campaign to assert their right to watch channels of their choice. Not only are people to suffer this ban due to the unavailability of entertainment they want to have but this time it is affecting badly the business of cable TV operators also. They lodged their protest by issuing statements to the press and making representations to the concerned quarters, and striking and closing down the telecasting of any channels whatsoever.
All of this has proved in vain and the information policy bosses seem in no mood to lift this notorious ban on Indian channels. And, all of this is happening in the face of present SAARC summit and unprecedented friendly gestures on the part of both governments. In view of the ongoing attempt at normalization of relations between India and Pakistan, keeping this ban imposed is unintelligible. Not only this creates an impression that the government of Pakistan lacks a consistent and coherent policy towards its neighboring country but lets the doubts lurk as to its sincerity and trust in the ongoing process of normalization.
Most of all, this ban on Indian or, for that matter, on any other media, is a stark violation of the freedom of individual citizens to enjoy their lives as they wish. This forces them to watch and listen to what the busybodies of PEMRA want them to and amounts to imposing a special ‘taste’ in them whereas it is the people the taste of whom these busybodies of PEMRA should follow. As no regulatory body has the right to regulate the life of people but they themselves, controlling the taste of people for this or that reason is quite fascistic an act and is clearly beyond the mandate of PEMRA. What PEMRA needs to do is to look after the interests of the people such as: that Cable TV operators are providing what they promised to their clients and the quality of their service; and to redress the grievances/complaints of the people against the Cable TV operators, etc. Other than this, PEMRA has no right to regulate the taste of people; rather it should regulate its own taste to meet its mandate.
Regards
Amin Vastani
In Pakistan too, the institution of government has become a tool in the hands of such utopian adventurers. As regards the electronic media, first there was the tyranny of the state-sponsored Pakistan Television. People had to watch or listen to what the government wanted them to watch and listen to. Then, there was a bit of liberalization. One or two other channels made their debut under the censorship of the government. But, the advancement in technology played its role in empowering people to have their choice. Dish antenna gave them more freedom, but this freedom was restricted to those who could afford its high price and the license fee levied by the government. It was an innovation on the part of small business people that they started operating various channels available on the dish through cable and brought them within the reach of many a people. This was illegal. As creation is always followed by regulation and taxation, so, the people in the government thought of taxing and regulating it. This is how Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) came to be established on March 1, 2002.
It was mandated to:
1. Improve the standards of information, education and entertainment.
2. Enlarge the choice available to the people of Pakistan in the media for news, current affairs, religious knowledge, art, culture, science, technology, economic development, social sector concerns, music, sports, drama and other subjects of public and national interest.
3. Facilitate the devolution of responsibility and power to the grass-roots by improving the access of the people to mass media at the local and community level; and
4. Ensure accountability, transparency and good governance by optimizing the free flow of information. [http://www.pemra.gov.pk/index.html]
But, the way PEMRA is behaving goes starkly against its mandate. Instead of improving, it is deteriorating the standards of information, education and entertainment. Instead of enlarging, it is restricting the choice available to the people of Pakistan in the media for news, current affairs, religious knowledge, art, culture, science, technology, economic development, social sector concerns, music, sports, drama and other subjects of public and national interest. Instead of facilitating, it is blocking the devolution of responsibility and power to the grass-roots by restricting the access of the people to mass media at the local and community level. And, instead of ensuring accountability, transparency and good governance by optimizing the free flow of information, it is thwarting this process by obstructing the free flow of information.
In addition to the unwelcome requirements for obtaining Cable TV license comprising 8 categories ranging from B-1 to B-8 based on the number of subscribers, PEMRA controls the Cable TV by manipulating the tariff structure. For inclusion of new channel in the list, all the interested parties are required to have to make formal request to the PEMRA followed by a presentation by local agents or channel holders about the contents of program. The most sinister part of PEMRA is its banning of various foreign or particularly Indian TV channels on this or that pretext, and that too totally against the wishes and demand of the people. But, the most glaring example of its going against its own mandate is its ‘List of 54 Cable TV Eligible Foreign Channels’ [http://www.pemra.gov.pk/list_.html] which lets no Cable TV operator act freely to meet the demands of its clients. This is not only a setback to the Cable TV business but an encroachment upon the freedom and choice of the people also.
This list is tagged by conditions such as: that Cable TV operators will have to apply mosaicking to eliminate undesirable segments/parts of the program (parts of programs that are not in conformity with PEMRA program and advertisement codes from eligible channels). The channels in the PEMRA list include 2 religious, 9 news (out of which 2 are in Arabic and 7 in English), 8 educational/information (all in English), 6 kids (all in English), 12 sports, 17 entertainment (out of which 9 or 10 are in English, two in Chinese, one in Bengali and one in Turkish and others) channels. As to Chinese, Turkish and Arabic channels, no doubt people in Pakistan won’t be interested in watching them even if they are given the opportunity to choose to do so. These languages are beyond their comprehension. Although, a little number of people may understand and enjoy most of other news, educational/information, kids, sports and entertainment channels in English (more than 30) but majority of people can have no interest in them.
As this selection of channels by PEMRA does not include Pakistani Urdu and other regional languages channels and which means that people are free, or in this case, forced, to watch them, one is at a loss why other international Urdu channels have not been considered for this list? Clearly, they must have been part of this list for the sole reason that the language spoken and understood on the both sides of the borderline, i.e. in India and Pakistan, is same. But, probably because of the fact that most of such international Urdu channels are based and being telecast from India, and, information ministry of Pakistan has a history of banning the Indian channels on the pretext of countering the cultural invasion, political propaganda, and protecting our national values, all of these channels have been banned. This is inadvertently described by information policy makers in Pakistan as an act of patriotism.
But, on the other hand, we have a very different story to relate. When during the 80s first ever Indian movie was to be telecast from an Indian channel and which could be viewed in the city of Lahore, there was shortage of TV sets and antennas in the market of Lahore, and there were too many people in Lahore landed from other cities to watch that movie. Months back when this time the ban on Indian channels was imposed, people especially women launched a vehement protest campaign to assert their right to watch channels of their choice. Not only are people to suffer this ban due to the unavailability of entertainment they want to have but this time it is affecting badly the business of cable TV operators also. They lodged their protest by issuing statements to the press and making representations to the concerned quarters, and striking and closing down the telecasting of any channels whatsoever.
All of this has proved in vain and the information policy bosses seem in no mood to lift this notorious ban on Indian channels. And, all of this is happening in the face of present SAARC summit and unprecedented friendly gestures on the part of both governments. In view of the ongoing attempt at normalization of relations between India and Pakistan, keeping this ban imposed is unintelligible. Not only this creates an impression that the government of Pakistan lacks a consistent and coherent policy towards its neighboring country but lets the doubts lurk as to its sincerity and trust in the ongoing process of normalization.
Most of all, this ban on Indian or, for that matter, on any other media, is a stark violation of the freedom of individual citizens to enjoy their lives as they wish. This forces them to watch and listen to what the busybodies of PEMRA want them to and amounts to imposing a special ‘taste’ in them whereas it is the people the taste of whom these busybodies of PEMRA should follow. As no regulatory body has the right to regulate the life of people but they themselves, controlling the taste of people for this or that reason is quite fascistic an act and is clearly beyond the mandate of PEMRA. What PEMRA needs to do is to look after the interests of the people such as: that Cable TV operators are providing what they promised to their clients and the quality of their service; and to redress the grievances/complaints of the people against the Cable TV operators, etc. Other than this, PEMRA has no right to regulate the taste of people; rather it should regulate its own taste to meet its mandate.
Regards
Amin Vastani
NETWORKS _70’s CAUTIONARY TALE OF NEWS MEDIA AS ENTERTAINMENT
From the pen of Peddy Chayefsky, under the direction of Sydney Luemt; movie Networks was considered much of a drama when it came out in late 70’s. Much ahead of the time, the movie was a cautionary tale of news media as entertainment.
The movie seems dated as Networks is the real depiction of the today’s news channels’ in-house scenario, where the news channels’ high profiles are more interested in earning big revenues by getting high viewership; back screening their ethical role of providing real and transparent news to the public.
The story revolves around three characters, among which Hovard Beale is an aging anchor, who is about to be fired in a couple of weeks, as his program’s TRPs are sinking day by day. His best friend and Network’s news division dean, Max Schumacher announced this bad news to him.
On the very next braodcast, Beale announced to commit suicide in his last show. The channel fired him immediately, but after the persuasion from his friend, he was given a chance to apologize for what he said in the last show. However, once on the air, he launched into a tirade claiming that life is "bullshit" and performed the character of a depressed emotional person. All of this caused Beale and Max fired the very next day and Diana Christensen (Head of Entertainment Division) was made the new Dean of the news division.
Beale's sudden occurrence caused the newscast's ratings to ascend, which forced Diana to further cash from Beale getting onair. The channel’s ratings started roaring again, as he went on the air with an astonishingly daffy bluster and rage session culminating in his insisting that people go to the windows and yell, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore." Beale became renowned as MAD PROPHET.
After a short era of glory, the program’s ratings started to fall apart. This was when Diana and other High officials of the Networks planned Beale’s murder onair. The plan went successful by hiring a contract killer who then shot dead Beale on screen in a live show.
Today the news channels are forgetting their journalistic values where TRPs and revenue have become their values, ethics, religion and God. They can sacrifice everything on it, no matter how valuable it is. This is a MAD MAD WORLD…….where abnormality has been conceived as totem and belief and harming it is considered as taboo.
Regards,
Roshni Zahid
The movie seems dated as Networks is the real depiction of the today’s news channels’ in-house scenario, where the news channels’ high profiles are more interested in earning big revenues by getting high viewership; back screening their ethical role of providing real and transparent news to the public.
The story revolves around three characters, among which Hovard Beale is an aging anchor, who is about to be fired in a couple of weeks, as his program’s TRPs are sinking day by day. His best friend and Network’s news division dean, Max Schumacher announced this bad news to him.
On the very next braodcast, Beale announced to commit suicide in his last show. The channel fired him immediately, but after the persuasion from his friend, he was given a chance to apologize for what he said in the last show. However, once on the air, he launched into a tirade claiming that life is "bullshit" and performed the character of a depressed emotional person. All of this caused Beale and Max fired the very next day and Diana Christensen (Head of Entertainment Division) was made the new Dean of the news division.
Beale's sudden occurrence caused the newscast's ratings to ascend, which forced Diana to further cash from Beale getting onair. The channel’s ratings started roaring again, as he went on the air with an astonishingly daffy bluster and rage session culminating in his insisting that people go to the windows and yell, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore." Beale became renowned as MAD PROPHET.
After a short era of glory, the program’s ratings started to fall apart. This was when Diana and other High officials of the Networks planned Beale’s murder onair. The plan went successful by hiring a contract killer who then shot dead Beale on screen in a live show.
Today the news channels are forgetting their journalistic values where TRPs and revenue have become their values, ethics, religion and God. They can sacrifice everything on it, no matter how valuable it is. This is a MAD MAD WORLD…….where abnormality has been conceived as totem and belief and harming it is considered as taboo.
Regards,
Roshni Zahid
Journalism vs Activism
Journalism is the
· Collecting,
· Writing,
· Editing,
· Presenting
Of news or news articles in newspapers, magazines, radio and television broadcasts. But when a journalist writes in a way to support a cause, to highlight an issue that needs to be solved or when he fights for the rights through his writings, then the journalist becomes an activist. For example, if a journalist writes to spread information of how whales are being captured and killed, then he becomes an activist. But on the other hand, a person who is only an activist will not be able to prorogate the issue to the masses easily if he is not a journalist, and people might also not take his acts into consideration.
Regards
Amin Vastani
· Collecting,
· Writing,
· Editing,
· Presenting
Of news or news articles in newspapers, magazines, radio and television broadcasts. But when a journalist writes in a way to support a cause, to highlight an issue that needs to be solved or when he fights for the rights through his writings, then the journalist becomes an activist. For example, if a journalist writes to spread information of how whales are being captured and killed, then he becomes an activist. But on the other hand, a person who is only an activist will not be able to prorogate the issue to the masses easily if he is not a journalist, and people might also not take his acts into consideration.
Regards
Amin Vastani
Movie Review: Network
Network is a 1976 American satirical film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer about a fictional television network, Union Broadcasting System (UBS), and its struggle with poor ratings. The film was written by Paddy Chayefsky and directed by Sidney Lumet, and stars Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch and Robert Duvall and features Wesley Addy, Ned Beatty, and Beatrice Straight.
As per my understanding Network is a good movie, highlighting two major issues with media and journalism. Issue with media is that they are more concerned about their ratings than content quality and standards according to Ethical and sometimes legal points of view, TRP’s are more important than content’s bad impact over viewers and upon society. They way they converted anchor’s desperate move into a profitable business.
Another issues highlighted by this particular movie is the issue of Activist nature of journalist as they start taking action against something going wrong rather than just seeking and reporting truth as he started a campaign against the merger CCA with Arabian Company.
What we found out that these are issues since the time when media and journalism started and till now we are facing similar issues with media and journalism, which shows that media is the game of money and power and people associated with this business can manipulate and use this power according to their interest.
Regards,
Muhammad Raheel
As per my understanding Network is a good movie, highlighting two major issues with media and journalism. Issue with media is that they are more concerned about their ratings than content quality and standards according to Ethical and sometimes legal points of view, TRP’s are more important than content’s bad impact over viewers and upon society. They way they converted anchor’s desperate move into a profitable business.
Another issues highlighted by this particular movie is the issue of Activist nature of journalist as they start taking action against something going wrong rather than just seeking and reporting truth as he started a campaign against the merger CCA with Arabian Company.
What we found out that these are issues since the time when media and journalism started and till now we are facing similar issues with media and journalism, which shows that media is the game of money and power and people associated with this business can manipulate and use this power according to their interest.
Regards,
Muhammad Raheel
JOURNALISM vs ACTIVISM
Journalism is a form of writing that tells people about things that really happened, but that they might not have known about already. People who write journalism are called "journalists." They might work at newspapers, magazines, websites or for TV or radio stations. The most important characteristic shared by good journalists is curiosity. Good journalists love to read and want to find out as much as they can about the world around them.
Activism, in a general sense, can be described as intentional action to bring about social or political change. This action is in support of, or opposition to, one side of an often controversial argument. The word "activism" is often used synonymously with protest or dissent but activism can stem from any number of political orientations and take a wide range of forms, from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning.
In that atmosphere it is understandable to come across journalists who view themselves as activists. However, if a journalist’s role is to seek out truth, reflect the voices and opinions of those who don’t usually have a say, and to represent the whole audience regardless of race, religion, political affiliation and social status, then perhaps a journalist is, essentially, an activist for freedom of expression. Journalism basics One dictionary definition of journalism is ‘the profession of writing for newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and online’. However, I would argue that journalism, without clearly-defined journalistic ethics, can easily deteriorate into public relations (PR) and marketing.
Journalism has to be accurate. It is all about clear, irrefutable facts that are tested and well set out. Journalism also needs to be well-sourced. All evidence must be checked and verified. All elements of the story need to be thoroughly tested to ensure that they are not misleading and that they don’t magnify one side at the expense of another.
We should use clear, precise wording to tell the story and avoid comment and opinion that could add confusion. We need to be open about what we know, what we think we know and what we don’t know. Journalism needs to be impartial, objective, balanced and fair. We must write and broadcast to inform the whole audience regardless of religion, race, political persuasion, sexual orientation and financial status. We need to be fair and open-minded and reflect all significant opinions as we explore a wide range of disparate views. If we decide not to use some views, we need to be clear why. We need to ask ourselves why we are omitting some information or views and including others.
What affect does that have on the piece? Does it help clarify issues, or does it confuse? If it confuses, what could be the consequences of that confusion and who is likely to gain?
We need to be honest with ourselves about our motives and reasons for covering a story. The key is to ask searching questions to all sides, particularly those who hold public office, and, in doing so, provide the basis for a healthy and robust public debate. All journalists will have their own political points of view, but these must never creep into our journalism and they must not have any bearing on the choice of stories we cover or the way we cover them. Perhaps this is where the real meaning of the word activism becomes relevant. When all these conditions have been met, a journalist will have served as an activist for freedom of expression. If so, count me in. Not only do I qualify by definition, but I am proud to be a member of that global fellowship.
Regards,
Waqas Waheed
Activism, in a general sense, can be described as intentional action to bring about social or political change. This action is in support of, or opposition to, one side of an often controversial argument. The word "activism" is often used synonymously with protest or dissent but activism can stem from any number of political orientations and take a wide range of forms, from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning.
In that atmosphere it is understandable to come across journalists who view themselves as activists. However, if a journalist’s role is to seek out truth, reflect the voices and opinions of those who don’t usually have a say, and to represent the whole audience regardless of race, religion, political affiliation and social status, then perhaps a journalist is, essentially, an activist for freedom of expression. Journalism basics One dictionary definition of journalism is ‘the profession of writing for newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and online’. However, I would argue that journalism, without clearly-defined journalistic ethics, can easily deteriorate into public relations (PR) and marketing.
Journalism has to be accurate. It is all about clear, irrefutable facts that are tested and well set out. Journalism also needs to be well-sourced. All evidence must be checked and verified. All elements of the story need to be thoroughly tested to ensure that they are not misleading and that they don’t magnify one side at the expense of another.
We should use clear, precise wording to tell the story and avoid comment and opinion that could add confusion. We need to be open about what we know, what we think we know and what we don’t know. Journalism needs to be impartial, objective, balanced and fair. We must write and broadcast to inform the whole audience regardless of religion, race, political persuasion, sexual orientation and financial status. We need to be fair and open-minded and reflect all significant opinions as we explore a wide range of disparate views. If we decide not to use some views, we need to be clear why. We need to ask ourselves why we are omitting some information or views and including others.
What affect does that have on the piece? Does it help clarify issues, or does it confuse? If it confuses, what could be the consequences of that confusion and who is likely to gain?
We need to be honest with ourselves about our motives and reasons for covering a story. The key is to ask searching questions to all sides, particularly those who hold public office, and, in doing so, provide the basis for a healthy and robust public debate. All journalists will have their own political points of view, but these must never creep into our journalism and they must not have any bearing on the choice of stories we cover or the way we cover them. Perhaps this is where the real meaning of the word activism becomes relevant. When all these conditions have been met, a journalist will have served as an activist for freedom of expression. If so, count me in. Not only do I qualify by definition, but I am proud to be a member of that global fellowship.
Regards,
Waqas Waheed
Network Review
Network is a movie that raises the question: If television isn't reality, then in what kind of reality do the people who create television exist? Originally released in 1976, Network blasts the falseness of television; corporate control of a TV network; and how television can succeed in destroying the lives of those involved with trying to produce high ratings.
The main plot of Network follows TV news anchorman Howard Beale (played by Peter Finch) who works for a fictional fourth-rated TV network called UBS (Universal Broadcasting System). Beale's ratings on the UBS nightly news hour have slipped and he is about to get fired. In an act of desperation, Beale announces in the middle of his news monologue that he will "blow his brains out" on his program next week -- so tune in! The UBS management team starts to damage control and begins to try and balance Beale's metal breakdown versus the soaring ratings.
Eventually, the novelty of Beale's show begins to wear off and the ratings start to fall. Rather than being the top rated show, Beale begins to slip and actions are taken. As the ratings fall, so do the lives and fortunes of those involved with creating the program. In the end, television destroys them all.
Paddy Chayefsky's brilliant screenplay coupled with Lumet's solid direction and excellent performances by the cast make Network a simply outstanding movie. Though Network had many moments of humor, it is a serious movie that makes a profound statement about the nature of TV broadcasting. Television is about ratings and advertising revenue. The audience is considered so far as the answer to the question: How many people are watching? The quality of the programs, the accuracy of the programs, and the integrity of the programs are never considered. Do people watch? Special considerations such as originality, creativity, compassion, and fairness are not aspects of TV programming. Do people watch?
When Howard Beale's show was a hit, everything was going well for the characters. However, when the ratings dipped, the producers and management of the network have to take drastic measures to "stop the free fall" and secure advertising revenue. To management, Beale is not a human, he is an asset, he is fiction. Money and corporate interests rule the TV show content. Money and corporate controls rule the network.
Regards,
Waqas Waheed
The main plot of Network follows TV news anchorman Howard Beale (played by Peter Finch) who works for a fictional fourth-rated TV network called UBS (Universal Broadcasting System). Beale's ratings on the UBS nightly news hour have slipped and he is about to get fired. In an act of desperation, Beale announces in the middle of his news monologue that he will "blow his brains out" on his program next week -- so tune in! The UBS management team starts to damage control and begins to try and balance Beale's metal breakdown versus the soaring ratings.
Eventually, the novelty of Beale's show begins to wear off and the ratings start to fall. Rather than being the top rated show, Beale begins to slip and actions are taken. As the ratings fall, so do the lives and fortunes of those involved with creating the program. In the end, television destroys them all.
Paddy Chayefsky's brilliant screenplay coupled with Lumet's solid direction and excellent performances by the cast make Network a simply outstanding movie. Though Network had many moments of humor, it is a serious movie that makes a profound statement about the nature of TV broadcasting. Television is about ratings and advertising revenue. The audience is considered so far as the answer to the question: How many people are watching? The quality of the programs, the accuracy of the programs, and the integrity of the programs are never considered. Do people watch? Special considerations such as originality, creativity, compassion, and fairness are not aspects of TV programming. Do people watch?
When Howard Beale's show was a hit, everything was going well for the characters. However, when the ratings dipped, the producers and management of the network have to take drastic measures to "stop the free fall" and secure advertising revenue. To management, Beale is not a human, he is an asset, he is fiction. Money and corporate interests rule the TV show content. Money and corporate controls rule the network.
Regards,
Waqas Waheed
Copyrights In Pakistan
Copyright is a set of exclusive rights over use of a particular expression of an idea or information and this may subsist in a wide range of creative, intellectual, or artistic forms that include literary, musical, choreographic, artistic and even print and broadcast media copyrights.
In Pakistan, copyright protection is governed by the provisions of the Copyright Ordinance, 1962 ("the Ordinance") which is modelled on the English Act of 1914. Pakistan is a member of Berne Copyright Union and the Universal Copyright Convention.
What Works Are Protected?
Copyrights protect “original works of authorship” that are fixed in a tangible form of expression. The fixation need not be directly perceptible so long as it may be communicated with the aid of a machine or device. Copyrightable works include the following categories:
1. literary works;
2. musical works, including any accompanying words
3. dramatic works, including any accompanying music
4. pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works\
5. motion pictures and other audiovisual works
6. sound recordings
7. architectural works
These categories should be viewed broadly. For example, computer programs and most “compilations” may be registered as “literary works”.
How to Secure a Copyright?
Copyrights Secured Automatically upon Creation
The way in which copyrights protection is secured is frequently misunderstood, registration is not compulsory to secure copyrights. There are, however, certain definite advantages to registration. A copyright is secured automatically when the work is created, and a work is “created” when it is fixed in a copy or phonorecord for the first time. “Copies” are material objects from which a work can be read or visually perceived either directly or with the aid of a machine or device, such as books, manuscripts, sheet music, film, videotape, or microfilm. “Phonorecords” are material objects embodying fixations of such as cassette tapes, CDs, or LPs. Thus, for example, a song (the “work”) can be fixed in sheet music (“copies”) or in phonograph disks (“phonorecords”), or both. If a work is prepared over a period of time, the part of the work that is fixed on a particular date constitutes the created work as of that date.
Regards,
Waqas Waheed
In Pakistan, copyright protection is governed by the provisions of the Copyright Ordinance, 1962 ("the Ordinance") which is modelled on the English Act of 1914. Pakistan is a member of Berne Copyright Union and the Universal Copyright Convention.
What Works Are Protected?
Copyrights protect “original works of authorship” that are fixed in a tangible form of expression. The fixation need not be directly perceptible so long as it may be communicated with the aid of a machine or device. Copyrightable works include the following categories:
1. literary works;
2. musical works, including any accompanying words
3. dramatic works, including any accompanying music
4. pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works\
5. motion pictures and other audiovisual works
6. sound recordings
7. architectural works
These categories should be viewed broadly. For example, computer programs and most “compilations” may be registered as “literary works”.
How to Secure a Copyright?
Copyrights Secured Automatically upon Creation
The way in which copyrights protection is secured is frequently misunderstood, registration is not compulsory to secure copyrights. There are, however, certain definite advantages to registration. A copyright is secured automatically when the work is created, and a work is “created” when it is fixed in a copy or phonorecord for the first time. “Copies” are material objects from which a work can be read or visually perceived either directly or with the aid of a machine or device, such as books, manuscripts, sheet music, film, videotape, or microfilm. “Phonorecords” are material objects embodying fixations of such as cassette tapes, CDs, or LPs. Thus, for example, a song (the “work”) can be fixed in sheet music (“copies”) or in phonograph disks (“phonorecords”), or both. If a work is prepared over a period of time, the part of the work that is fixed on a particular date constitutes the created work as of that date.
Regards,
Waqas Waheed
Documentary Review
Pakistan a love story though a very interesting topic but with a little turnarounds in it, I mean to say that they highlight what is happening around in our society but they forget to tell that it’s in the instinct of south Asian. Our art industry is totally inspired by love themes and romantic themes. Romance is in our blood from the beginning, from the Mughals era we have seen Shahjahan made a Taj-Mahal for his wife.
We have so many other love stories associated with South Asian region then in any other region of the world like if I have seen the book of love stories Romeo and Juliet is the only one story I heard from the western region of the world, but if we see our south Asian region, we have found
• HEER - RAJHA
• SOHNI - MAHIWAL
• LAILA- MAJNOO
• SALIM -ANARKALI
• SHAHJAHAN -MUMTAZ
• SHEEREEN- FARHAD
May be westerners also have some renowned love stories but in the end what I mean to say is see love and romance is in the blood of human.
Classification of taboo subjects is different in different regions of the world, we S.Asian thinks romance is a taboo to discuss in public as compared to some western countries where breaking law is a taboo subject, not stopping at red light is taboo somewhere
Conclusion:
By showing such things nothing is happen to anyone except those who are doing such acts in public will lose their respect in their family and areas, so my request to government is these things cannot be stopped it is something from the very beginning but what you and media can do is do not promote it in your shows, create awareness and subconsciously describe age limits for such acts…this documentary is pretty cool and but little bit confused , may be they have little time that’s why..If they were able to get more time, may be they are able to elaborate what they are thinking.
Thank you
Regards
Danial Shaikh
We have so many other love stories associated with South Asian region then in any other region of the world like if I have seen the book of love stories Romeo and Juliet is the only one story I heard from the western region of the world, but if we see our south Asian region, we have found
• HEER - RAJHA
• SOHNI - MAHIWAL
• LAILA- MAJNOO
• SALIM -ANARKALI
• SHAHJAHAN -MUMTAZ
• SHEEREEN- FARHAD
May be westerners also have some renowned love stories but in the end what I mean to say is see love and romance is in the blood of human.
Classification of taboo subjects is different in different regions of the world, we S.Asian thinks romance is a taboo to discuss in public as compared to some western countries where breaking law is a taboo subject, not stopping at red light is taboo somewhere
Conclusion:
By showing such things nothing is happen to anyone except those who are doing such acts in public will lose their respect in their family and areas, so my request to government is these things cannot be stopped it is something from the very beginning but what you and media can do is do not promote it in your shows, create awareness and subconsciously describe age limits for such acts…this documentary is pretty cool and but little bit confused , may be they have little time that’s why..If they were able to get more time, may be they are able to elaborate what they are thinking.
Thank you
Regards
Danial Shaikh
NETWORK MOVIE REVIEW
NETWORK is about the fall, rise, and fall of Howard Beale (peter finch) and about television's running horrendously and hilariously amok. Network highlights about the uses and abuses of television. NETWORK is, of course, nothing but a series of monologues – all either yelled, screamed, or bellowed — but the words themselves capture every dimension of the human experience, from the fear of death to the “corrupt comedy” of modern life. Simply, Network is the angry, uncompromising blast against the decline of the individual in the face of corporate domination.
Peter Finch plays a veteran network anchorman who's been fired because of low ratings. His character's response is to announce he'll kill himself on live television two weeks hence. What follows, along with skyrocketing ratings, is the anchorman's fall into mental illness, during which he passionately rages against the medium that made him a celebrity. Through it all peter finch urges the viewer to repeat the now-famous mantra "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!" to reclaim our humanity from the medium that threatens to steal it away
It is telling that Beale’s(finch) “Angry Prophet of the Airwaves” is enormously admired once he invites viewers to channel their rage at something (or someone),. The conclusion, therefore, is obvious to all – truth, real, hard-nosed truth, will get you killed. Or at the very least kicked off the air.
Regards,
Danial Shaikh
Peter Finch plays a veteran network anchorman who's been fired because of low ratings. His character's response is to announce he'll kill himself on live television two weeks hence. What follows, along with skyrocketing ratings, is the anchorman's fall into mental illness, during which he passionately rages against the medium that made him a celebrity. Through it all peter finch urges the viewer to repeat the now-famous mantra "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!" to reclaim our humanity from the medium that threatens to steal it away
It is telling that Beale’s(finch) “Angry Prophet of the Airwaves” is enormously admired once he invites viewers to channel their rage at something (or someone),. The conclusion, therefore, is obvious to all – truth, real, hard-nosed truth, will get you killed. Or at the very least kicked off the air.
Regards,
Danial Shaikh
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