Japan Tsunami 2011: Where’s Pakistani media?
This article; originally titled Is Daddy OK? was contributed by Noor Fatima Iftikhar.
The blaring of news-headlines was audible even before I entered home after attending my morning classes. Dashing inside, i saw images and videos portraying one of the biggest calamities to hit the earth. However, for me, it wasn’t as easy to digest and forget about than the major portion of the Pakistani population. It took a great while for the news to sink in.
Earthquake in Japan.
Magnitude of 8.9 on the Richter scale.
Waves wash away the infrastructure of Sendai.
Tsunami warning issued to other nations in the Pacific basin.
Is my father safe?
The airing of cosmetic ads were enough to shake me out of my reverie. Thoroughly repulsed, I grabbed the remote and switched onto BBC. Here was the destruction of one of the most peaceful nations, one of our most cordial allies and furthermore, the lives of 10,000 Pakistanis jeopardized in a country bombarded with calamity – and our news outlets cannot get over their infatuation with Katrina Kaif. Reassuring.
As the damages gained momentum, it immediately became clear that this was nothing to shrug off. One particular chilling video portrayed an aerial view of how the water was creeping along the countryside of Japan, taking with it vehicles, buildings, tankers and airplanes as the deathly waters of the tsunami conquered the countryside. Like leaves being carried away in a murky stream.
Cars washed away like toy trucks
Where was our media at that time? Was it trying to show the plight of the families with Pakistani relatives in Japan? Was it, in ANY WAY, carrying out a “search” program into finding and seeking out one’s relatives? Why did our news channels not even have the audacity to report a serious jam in communication circles in the earthquake hit regions? Or what was the latest on the transport systems including international airports?
I have the answers to all that. Our media was settling political scores viewing the antics of the politicians at the Punjab Assembly. It was fueling the recent “Lotacracy” debate. It was showing two-headed turtles in some nameless zoo in Slovakia. It was showing discussions on the England versus Bangladesh match. It was giving decent airtime to everything but tracking down Pakistanis in a country from where some families were desperate for news.
Today, a day later, you may ask what exactly I am harping about since Pakistani channels ARE discussing Japan. Wrong. They STILL aren’t discussing Japan, they’re discussing the problems with the Japanese nuclear reactor. It is pretty obvious anything relating to atomic energy carries a “limited edition” price tag, today our news channels are milking all news related to the coolant failure at Fukushima power plant, calling up experts, highlighting US involvement, shedding light on the once-forgotten Chernobyl incident at a time where history may (God forbid) repeat itself.
Still nothing on contacting the 10,000 Pakistanis stuck in Japan. Well, apart from a statement from the “Pakistan Embassy” in Japan, claiming all immigrants were “alright.” God knows how much true that is.
The author with her father.
At the end of the day, it is becoming increasingly clear that the media, who prides itself on being regarded as the fourth pillar of the state – may in fact be misleading the population. I, for one, am a victim of the deceptive term “fourth pillar of the state”. The executive, legislature and judiciary work FOR the people of the country, and for media to be regarded as the 4th pillar, it needs to utilize such situations and rise up to the occasion and cater to the affected. Google had launched its “People Finder program.” Regular updates were being given; contact between victims of the quake and tsunami was being re-established with their friends and family. Not just for the Japanese, but for everyone worldwide. Free of cost. Why couldn’t we come up with something worth even 2 percent of Google’s efforts?
A lesson worth learning for the Pakistani media: we all understand how you feel if your reporter is beaten up or if – in dire cases – the reporter or cameraman dies in terrible circumstances. We feel the pain, because every loss is a loss and should be accounted for. At least apply that to the families of the expats abroad when such disaster strikes. You can pride yourself later, at least aid all sections of the demographic along the way.
The Government themselves are jumbled up In their own disputes, having cold war’s and their main aim Is to fight against each other, rather talking about what’s happening In Japan, Suppose If some one to die In this who was an representative of our Government’s, they would give total coverage to the problem. But on this condition they don’t think about It. Media themselves are not interested at all, they don’t bother to do so because they don’t get such orders! There was no main head lines just there was a slide on main channels that “Japan earthquake of 8’9″ That’s all nothing else. Other than that you're rite about that Google thing, It's just great. If our Government get's free from that *lota's* fight than they'll come up with some thing. And just imagine If thousands of humans are stuck there It's obvious many Muslims, Pakistanis would've been died! Just try It on Google, you'll see the RESULT. Still many other countries are on RED ALERT no one cares. The media doesn't even tells about it!
I totally agree. Our government and media are concerned with every other random thing in the society than the problem at hand. And if others who are concerned about the affectees, why not us?
and thanks for the detailed comment – I always appreciate reading your feedback!
Hahaha no problem, They're not at all concerned for us. And we're the one who SELECTS them and after all this we'll still select them. After watching all this we should be aware and at least not elect this kind of Government, but we and our people always go for 'WRONG'. :/
Very right! Its all about educating the voter so that they make decisions beneficial for the country and ultimately, themselves
That's why they don't make more schools&colleges If they do so, they'll be aware and won't vote them. LOGIC !!!!! xD
Undoubtedly dear bro!!
We've had all kinds of dictators and democratic leaders. NO ONE focused on education like other countries in the world do. And thats why we are left behind all others!
They's due to their own wonderful policy, If they'd create more educational institutions that will mean their own doom. And probably no one like to lose In the elections
They have no conscience. Educating the masses is a step forward but you rightly said. Education would mean the exposure of their corruption. And not just the politicians, but the MEDIA as well. Today an educated viewer cringes at the sight of Geo's main sensationalised news. An uneducated person may consider it as (Nauzubillah) holy words.
With reminds me of one of my fav. all time quotes. Michael Jackson very aptly said: Just because its in the print, doesn't mean its the gospel. Its time we realised the truth in these words and more importantly, impart this knowledge with those not in a position to see behind the picture.
Haha correct. Excellent
.. And sorry for late reply -.-
No problem bro =)
A very realistic picture of Pakistani and Media authorities have been depicted in the article. A well knitted piece is this.
Thank you Inayat. Its high time our media sorts itself out and changes its policies for the better.
Yes, this is a wake up call. No one should pay heed to the media claiming that they work in the best interest of the people- or the state. They work for news that sells.
There are many things we have to save Pakistan from- and one of them is the irresponsible, but considerably free media running around like a 6-year-old with scissors. It needs to work constructively rather than destructively towards a) the image of the country and b) the people of the country.
Ziad, the problem is that our media complacently exclaims that it is independent and therefore responsibly caters to the needs of the population. And our uneducated buy into all those blatant lies!
Geo is a perfect example of how the media should NOT behave. And they have considerable feats to prove so. Their "investigation" after the Mumbai attacks being one. the cringe-worthy sensationalism being the other. But whose anything to say? They're the pioneers of our so-called "free media."
"…and our news outlets cannot get over their infatuation with Katrina Kaif."
^This pretty much nicely puts it. Always obsessed with useless stuff like Bollywood and politics which no one in his/her right frame of mind would ideally give a damn about when lives of others are in danger. Great article, and I'm really glad to hear your father is safe.
Thanks a lot – its time our media sets its priorities straight
Amazing Noor! You've outdone yourself with this one…! Its high time the media understands and sets right its priorities…!!
I'm truly humbled
Fantastic job done! This is exactly the truth! You are very much right bout this:
" Our media was settling (and scoring) political scores viewing the antics of the politicians at the Punjab Assembly. It was fuelling the recent “Lotacracy” debate. It was showing two-headed turtles in some nameless zoo in Slovakia. It was showing discussions on the England versus Bangladesh match. It was giving decent airtime to everything but tracking down Pakistanis in a country from where some families were desperate for news."
Thankyou Nim!! I swear that Lota-debate is such an embarassment *facepalm*
This article has reminded me of all the things that are happening in the country:
1) how the world community helped pakistan bear the loss and casualty caused by the 2010 floods..
2) how the flood victims, the centre of attention a few months ago, are forgotten now despite of the fact that the rehabilitation process has yet to complete…
3) the 'antics,' as Noor puts it, of the politicians.. the ridiculousness of their immature actions cross all bounds
4) how the Nation is unconsciously a slave of Bollywood (God help us)….
these are sad times for this country. and we need to rise up and put an end to them. we are the educated class. we have the potential to 'be the change we want to see' in this country.
Spot on! If we dont speak about this, no one will! We've relied upon our previous generations to see us through, and we've only regressed actually.
We, as the youth needs to take a leaf out from other nations and, as you put, "be the change we want to see." If we wont do it, no one else will.
Shows a lot on the role of our media. "Fourth pillar of the state", indeed.
And its high time we shape our policies that benefit the nation and the people.
wow noor..
thumbs up….:):)
u did a great job..
Thank you very much N!
One of the salient features of a free media is objectivity and as a fourth pillar of the State it's not only incumbent upon it to work 'for the people' as Noor rightly said, but also to establish a means of coherent relation between all the other pillars. Unfortunately, our media is systematically working 'AGAINST' the rest of the pillars and disrupting the workings of the State by being outrightly value laden in the news they decide to impart to their viewers. While the media can prove to be a most helpful tool; in Pakistan's case it has literally turned into a mafia with undue power. In short simple terms it seems that 'humara media naya naya jawaan huwa hai' but it's high time that it grows up and actually starts facilitating people in times of such a disaster. Job well done Noor!
Very, VERY well said Beenish! *applauds*
I can understand the argument to an extent that the media is very young, but I still do not believe that gives it a license to report FALSE information, as it has done and gotten away with it so many times.
Freedom of media does not imply misleading the population onto fulfilling its own agendas.
We REALLY need to omit one other topic and do Mass Media in Sociology Beenish
The sign of Doomsday as described in our Holy Scriptures,
Qayamah is inevitable. I wholly agree with you. An eye opener for every single person in the whole nation and the world at large. Learning from the plight of others and correcting our own ways is the only way to redemption.
hats off noor=) excellent job=) seriously when i was reading this i was thinking " Allah(swt) humari media ko kab akal aye gi" media is only intersted in putting forward all the bad things about our Country and ya offcorse how can the miss bollywood stars=p
Alhumdulilla your dad is safe=) and i hope this disaster becomes an eye opener for us all!
Holy Prophet(saw) said: "Day of resurrection will not come until the earthquakes happen frequently" (sahih bukhari)
earthquake occured in China also! we really need to Wake up and make ourselves upright ! now its high time that we should realize this fact that The Hour is very near and we should start fashioning our lives according to the teachings of Holy Quran and Sunnah of The Holy Prophet(saw)=)
Thank you very much dear ramshaa! I'm truly, truly humbled by your words
Earthquakes are on the rise. Haiti, New Zealand, China, Japan.
I wholly agree with everything you've said – we should start being honest with ourselves and others and follow the path prescribed for us. The world, at the moment, needs it.
Excellent Job Noor!!
Thankyou Deeda!
Noor!!! This was soooo well written! It's so convincing, i love your power of expression =P
U know we could keep a law seminar on natural disasters or something and Noor didn't Geo air a thingi from AOL news IHK giving out a number that we could call and ask about the missing people we wanted to know about? And that the Paki Embassy was also paying for those who weren't financially strong enough but wanted to come back? And we dont have any bases in Japan tou how would the media get their coverage, tumnay tou unke maan behn eik ker dee hai. By all this I dont mean im for media, I completely agree with ur 'fourth pillar' thing. I'm in love with your writing and i hope i get to read more soon =P
Haha thank you Zoyaaa! <3
I loved your comment, you took out time to write such a detailed one, I am so humbled and honored
Yaar Pak Embassy ko choro. Atm, they seem like just giants waking up from a deep slumber. It took them 4 days to react, and even at this stage we cant take anything at face value. Statements dont mean anything when its not accompanied by action. And the only thing I've heard so far is that Pak is sending a team of experts to aid them in solving the nuclear issue. That is definitely commendable. And the nuclear bit is timely, but waise, like you said – it doesnt mean anything because the media on the whole needs to get its priorities straight.
Your comments make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside… ^.^
Great Job N.i am so proud of you.
Haha thank you! <3
noorie a very well written article i must say. no matter how much we criticize our country’s media and government it will never be enough. there is no proper system in our country. every department is corrupt. our stupid media will just capture the fights nd comments of our dumb party leaders and then will hold talk shows to discuss them.
Very true Hibba! Instead of focussing on issues and creating awareness, they are presently aggravating the situation in the country and ruining our image!
Wow!!!
=)))
Noor!! Im in love with yur writting power nd power of expression!!:)
Nd i agree with u that our media is ruining our image!
Aww thanks a TONNE Bisma!
If our media was a bit more responsible, then we wouldn't be having such image issues at all!
I sure would like to hear what a media person’s got to say to this!
I can answer that
Express Tribune's editor called me up and said "you are right, we need to show some responsibility in this regard."
And then she publishes this piece after editing the gist out of it.
Pak media at its best! :/
Just one more thing we have to put on our list to fix in this country- the media! Join the club Noor =D
Ziad bhai, I can imagine that list must be as long as the motor way.
One thing more or less isn't going to make much of a difference.
I joined the club WAY back bro – and our justice system's failure today is a new nail in the coffin.
BRILLIANT!!
AWESOME.
Saddening scenario, but BEAUTIFULLY depicted!! I'm in love with your writings!!
Thankyou very much Saniya. I just hope this serves as a lesson and in future such embarrassment can by avoided. Thanks a ton for your comment!
Truth in every word you wrote. Pakistani Media needs to set its priorities. Or maybe, AT LEAST learn some ethics.
Amazing piece of writing noor with the power to wake up the media, tht is if they have time to even try to read this…
Thanks P. I greatly appreciate your words. I hope this article was enough to create a slight ripple – for me even that is an achievement.