Pakistan's media is not an agent of change: Talat Hussain

Express Tribune, By Web Desk

Published: August 31, 2012

Speaking about the media in Pakistan and its association with politics, veteran journalist and television show host Talat Hussain said the media has shifted from being a platform to disseminate information to a player in power politics.

“Large part of the media is associated with political groups if not individual politicians,” Hussain stressed, adding that connection between media and political groups is expressed in terms of their alignment, their policies and who gets how much space on air.

No consensus on definition of ‘obscenity’ for TV

Tuesday, August 28, 2012  , The News International
ISLAMABAD: Experts and politicians on Monday appeared sharply divided on how to define the parameters of ‘obscenity’ for the media content. But majority of them agreed once a code of ethics was thrashed out it should be adhered to in letter and spirit.

The growing trend of re-enactment and dramatisation of crimes on almost all television channels under the garb of investigative journalism was castigated and some experts wondered why the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) was not taking enough measures to halting it. It was noted with deep concern that under the pretext of entertainment news, indecency and vulgarity was being aired by the media outlets. Pemra held a consultative session here at its headquarters, which took strong exception to the absence of TV owners’ representatives and cable operators, and billed it as non-seriousness on their part as they were (direct) stakeholders with regard to reflection of viewers. Former Amir of Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Muhammad Hussain Mehanti of JI, Oriya Maqbool Jan, Lt Gen (R) Qayyum and senior journalist Ansar Abbasi pointed out that Pakistan was created in the name of Islam and the Constitution clearly envisaged that there could be nothing against the Quran, Sunnah and Shariah.

Ch Nisar’s allegation plot to defame journalists: Kaira

 Thursday, August 30, 2012 

The News International

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Wednesday that an allegation levelled by Opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan of bribing some media persons was a conspiracy to defame the entire journalistic community.

Talking to APP here, the minister said that by levelling such baseless allegations, Chaudhry Nisar has also tried to malign the President of Pakistan which was deplorable.