ROLE OF MEDIA

1. INTRODUCTION : Media means system of communication. It is plural of

medium. Media is a source by means of which we convey something to far-flung
areas. It involves mass communication regarded collectivity especially through
newspapers and broadcasting. Media can bring revolution in fate of a country.
Strong media always brings fruitful changes. It is the media which has made world a
“Global Village”, and reduced distances between hearts. Media has created a vision
in people’s mind to progress and prosper their country. Media has a wide range from
main cities to far-flung rural areas. It is the media by means of which we get news
and information in seconds. Anything happening in any part of world, we are having
access to it.
a. IT AND MEDIA. Information technology has brought revolution in
history of media. Everyday new instruments are coming into field and
enhancing efficiency of media. As the world is progressing, media is also
becoming modern and fulfilling the requirements in an excellent way.

2. KINDS OF MEDIA: Media has various types having different spheres to

work. Main kinds include as follows.
a. Newspapers
b. Television
c. Radio
d. AV aids
e. Cinemas
f. Computers and internet
g. Cell phones, wireless
h. Journals
i. Compact Disks.
1. MEDIA’S STRENGTH. As for as work is concerned, print
media has its own importance as compared to electronic media. It has
its own access and penetration where electronic media fails to
approach. Print media is within the reach of commoners and benefits
them.

3. AIM. To illustrate the effective role of media in national security of Pakistan.

4. ROLE OF MEDIA IN POLITICS/FOREIGN POLICY: Media

has brought each and every thing clear and transparent in front of the people. Either
these are elections or referendum, what so ever activity is going on; media is playing
its vital role. By means of media people came to know about motives of politicians.
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Facts and Figures are given in newspapers. In Pakistan print and electronic media
both are playing an important role in making people aware of political activities going
on in the country. Media in Pakistan has successfully played its role in unveiling the
dirty face of corrupt politicians and leaders. Media has approached to far-flung rural
areas and made them aware of social diseases. It has successfully tackled political
front.

5. MEDIA AND FOREIGN POLICY: It is the media, which maintains a

country status in world forum. Media successfully interprets a country motives and
purposes on international forum and level. If media of any strong country is not upto
the level, that country is at mercy of others in competing different issues. Media in
Pakistan successfully supported Pakistan’s foreign policy. We have promoted our
culture, our traditions, our causes and motives and religion successfully on different
horizons. We have cleared our opinion on different dashes and issues. On Kashmir
issue, we have cleared our opinion and our scholars and analysts have successfully
pointed out our demands and requirements to world through our media. Media has
cleared our solid point of view. Media and our foreign policy always worked in
harmony.

6. ROLE OF MEDIA IN WAR: In Pakistan, either it is peace or war, print

and electronic media are always in front facing challenges. If we turn pages of history
and have a glimpse over the last few decades, we will come to know how efficiently
media worked in battlefields and peace talks. Since from the creation of Pakistan,
during the independence struggle print and electronic media played their effective role
in awakening the nation. The famous newspapers, “ZAMEINDAR” and other
journals played a great role. All the great poets like Allama Iqbal and great leaders
rely on media for their efforts. Quaid himself praised the efforts of efficient media. It
was media, which united Muslims at one platform, and they worked day and night for
getting the motherland. Media kept in touch with every development. Media’s
inspiring role cannot be forgotten during 1965 and 1971 wars, when media shattered
the bases of enemies by inculcating Muslim spirit and enthusiasm in armed forces.
Radio and TV stations and newspapers were providing information as well as were an
inspiring source of motivation and courage.

7. ROLE OF MEDIA IN RELIGION: Pakistan is an Islamic state, the

country that came into being on the name of Islam. Media has successfully played its
role in understanding of Islam. On television, helping programmes are run for
understanding of Islam and its teachings. Moreover media always condemned
sectarian violence in the country. Different private channels are also working as
associates on Geo TV, QTV etc. Media has successfully used renowned scholars and
Ulemas in solving individual’s problems and queries about religion.

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8. ROLE OF MEDIA IN EDUCATION: Countries, which progress and

prosper, have always great literacy rate. The role which media can play in spreading
education, none can play else. Unfortunately in Islamic Republic of Pakistan, media
could not play its role in spreading education and exhibiting cultural values except for
the last decade. For the last decade, media is running different programmes in
teaching the people in every sphere, in grooming them and teaching them moral and
social values. Through Pakistan Television, programmes are run for Allama Iqbal
Open University and Virtual University and moreover help for IT can be taken as
well. All the great scholars, professors and analysts are invited for spreading of
education. It had facilitated education a lot. Islamic teachings and worldly knowledge
are taken into account by means of media.

9. ROLE IN ADVERTISEMENTS/INDUSTRY, TRADE &

COMMERCE: Any item, which is advertised properly, has more demand and
value than an item, which is not publicitised. In this corner, media has an efficient
role to play. Either it is electronic media or print, advertisements do base on these
spheres. In Pakistan, media is playing its important role in this direction.
Advertisements are made to make people aware and conscious about certain items.
This is very fruitful in promoting country’s economy All the product-oriented
industries depend largely on media. Without media’s support their items do not get
its proper share. Media also invites businessmen, industrialists on its forum to discuss
and guide other tradesmen in business spheres. As Pakistan is good in textile
products, if media do not project it in international markets, it is very difficult for
traders to get their proper share.

10. ROLE OF MEDIA IN AGRICULTURE: Pakistan is an agricultural

country. Our economy mainly depends upon agriculture. Media on agricultural war
front is playing a role like backbone of agriculture. Illiterate peasants and farmers are
guided through media about different crops and ways to prevent from loss and
destruction, which is a loss to bot, the farmer and Pakistan. Media clearly depicts
ways to avoid your crop from such destructive attacks of germs and insects and
promotes ways to get maximum benefits.

11. ROLE OF MEDIA IN CULTIVATIONG HEALTHY

TRADITIONS: In Pakistan, PTV and Radio always encouraged healthy social
attitude towards life. Our films and dramas are not only a source of healthy
entertainment but also creating our cultural and social values, which are our heritage
being a Muslim and Pakistani. Social diseases like theft, smuggling, drug abuses,
gang rapes and corruption are not only strictly prohibited but also ways are sought to

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control these. Our dramas are matchless creating a spirit of love to Islam and
patriotism in commoners.

12. ROLE IN RECENT EARTHQUAKE: Pakistan suffered form a

sever earthquake which devastated hundreds of thousands of houses, and millions
were homeless. Houses were wrecked. There was a great havoc all over. But it was
our great media, which not only clearly depicted the situation but also helped a lot the
people of far-flung areas. This was media’s role, which attracted the help of whole
world, and they started pouring within no time. Media successfully approached the
quake stricken areas and sort out the miseries. Media produced a movement
throughout the country for help and rescue operations with military and helped the
effecties in each front. Media started programmes for effecties who were lost from
their parents. Media helped those poor guys in each sphere.

13. ROLE OF MEDIA IN DIMINISHING CHILD LABOUR:

Children are the future of any country. These all the children which would get hold of
country in future and will run government. But for efficient ad expert governance,
children should be avoided with different social abuses, which would harm them.
One of such social diseases is child labour, instead of sending them to school and
colleges; children are put to child labour, corruption, violence etc. In Pakistan, media
could play its role in eliminating such diseases and promoting healthy ideas.

14. ELECTRONIC MEDIA FACING NEW CHALLENGE:

Country needs radio and TV channels in private sector to end decades-old
authoritarian.
The electronic media today has assumed the role of a bridge between masses and the
government in the democratic societies all over the world.
In order to swiftly resolve socio-economic and political issues. In accordance with in
the parameters of the law of the land, it is being used as a means of two-way
communication between the people and the government, which believes in facilitating
the masses through good governance.
The role of electronic media as a trouble shooter in all aspects of life including health,
education, socio-political and economics, getting immense significance with each
passing day I vie of ever increasing pressures on the modern living.
This gigantic task of redressal of the public problems can only be taken up through
the concerted efforts both by the public and Radio and TV channels in the private
sector as the experiment to deal with the public issues exclusively by the controlled
media has not been proved fruitful.
According to Jawed Jabbar, known for his association in Mass Media and having a
singular credit of producing a book, entitled, “Mass Media Laws and Regulations in
Pakistan”, countries like Indonesia and Turkey have private radio stations in such a

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large number that beyond comprehension in Pakistan, Indonesia has 700 private radio
stations while there are 1,300 radio stations in Turkey.

a. PRIVATE CHANNELS: In the absence of private channels, the

government in Pakistan controls this important segment of information
including ‘Radio and Television’. Although, a private channel i.e. Network
Television Marketing (NTM), is operating as a private channel,
simultaneously with Pakistan Television (PTV), its limited areas of operating
debarring it from the sphere of News and Sports coverage and it has not been
provided a level ground to justify its existence in the private sector.
Commenting on the situation, Faisal Sher Jan, the Chief Executive of NTM,
said that NTM had started its transmission in 1990 under a 3-year agreement
with Shalimar Recording & Broadcasting Company generally known as
(STN). This agreement was renewed in 1994 for a period of another ten years
ending in 2004.
STN, which had bought time from PTV, had given an understanding to the
government that 30 percent of the time bought would be free of cost for PTV
Khabarnama, development programmes of the government and address by the
President and the Prime Minister. This 30 percent time allocation without any
fee is seriously hitting the NTM especially due to limited scope of
programmes as the agreement between the government and the STN and not
between the government and the NTM. He said, since NTM has not been
allowed to telecast sports coverage and its own News coverage, it is unable to
attract the commercial revenue as compared to PTV. At least sports coverage
should be allowed to make this private channel economically viable, Faisal
observed.
He said that the credit worthiness of any media is the key to win the attention
of the audience or the viewers, especially when they have to choice to switch
over to other satellite channels. The Indian channels, which have their own
interests, are exploiting the situation by presenting things with their own
angles. They need to be countered by more radio and TV channels in the
private sector in Pakistan. The government controlled electronic media
needed an effective support from private sector to check the foreign channels.
The glaring example of failure of NPT newspapers controlled by the
government should be taken as a guideline to evolve policies for the electronic
media, he felt.

b. PTV: Mohsin Ali, the General Manager, PTV, Karachi Center, however,
viewed the situation with his own perspective. Describing what it is being
shown on Indian channels as an alien culture neither belonged to India nor
Pakistan. Whatever the stuff is being displayed on Indian channels has no

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roots in the sub-continent. It serves no purpose but indicates the frustration of

a certain class of people. As compared to these programmes, Pakistan
Television has produced quality entertainment programmes, be it dramas or
music, which have been acknowledged the world over. “What we think to
counter the Indian channels is to improve the quality of our entertainment
programmes. It is the quality programme pertaining to the real life of a
society which has longer lasting and even purposeful effects on the audience
and not the vulgarity,” he maintained.

c. RADIO: Radio, being the cheapest and easy to carry, is still the most
effective source of information for a much large strata of the population, has
an edge over TV, specially in rural areas of the country.
In Pakistan there are 24 government-controlled radio stations being run by
Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) which was established in 1972. It is
broadcasting different programmes in 21 languages and dialects including
English, Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pushto, Balochi, Brahvi, Hindko, Chitrali,
Kashmiri, Potohari, Saraiki and 14 foreign languages including Arabic,
Bengali, French, Gujrati, Hindi, Tamil, Turkish, Chinese, Russian and other
languages. It is, however, surprising to note that out of around 325 hours’
transmission of different programmes in a day, 48 percent of the time is
consumed by music programmes which need to be rectified. Rest of the
programmes, such as sports, get 2 percent of the time, Science and technology
2 percent, women development 5 percent, youth and children 3 percent. Such
a pattern of time consumption needs to be revised more productively.
Spending a huge time for music alone makes no sense.
The private channels i.e. FM 100, instead of contributing to raise the level of
awareness on a wide range of issues and broadening the orientation and
training process of the younger generation, is ridiculously using the entire time
for music alone because of limited areas of operations, allowed by the
government. It does not make any sense allowing a private Radio or TV only
for music programmes.
There is a genuine need to allow at least more radio stations at district level for
creating awareness among the people. These Radio channels can help a lot in
resolving issues at local level on the pattern of local bodies if they are allowed
to operate in health, education, civic and legal matters within the given legal
framework. Not only these channels can create awareness among the people
and the government but also help the law enforcement agencies in combating
the most disturbing law and order issues.

d. EMRA: It may be recalled that the caretaker government of Malik Meraj

Khalid, in early 1997, had promulgated the Electronic Media Regulatory

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Authority (EMRA) Ordinance 1997, which, for the first time in the history of
Pakistan, had acknowledged two fundamental principals i.e. (a) the airwaves
of the country are a national, public asset and not a government monopoly and
(b) any interested, eligible private citizen or organization have equal right to
operate their own Radio and TV channels, just as private citizens have a right
to publish and edit their own newspapers and magazines.
The Ordinance No. XXXV of 1997, was to regulate electronic media in
Pakistan, read: “Whereas it is necessary to provide for the development of
electronic media in order to improve the standards of information, education
and entertainment and to enlarge the choice available to the people of Pakistan
in the media or 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.
The Ordinance, however, lapsed before its enactment for the reasons best
known to the government.
The concept regarding establishment of EMRA to regulate the electronic
media was explained in the Ordinance that the Federal Government shall
establish the authority in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance, the
Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.
The authority shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and the
power to hold and dispose of property and may in its name sue and be used.
The Chairman of the Authority shall be a retired judge of the Supreme Court
of Pakistan while the six members of the Authority shall include the Secretary,
Ministry of Information and Media Development and the Secretary, Ministry
of Communication and four Members from the general public including one
with an acknowledge record of work in radio, one with an acknowledge record
of work in television, one with an acknowledge record of public service and
one with an acknowledge record of work in print media.
The Chairman and Members shall be appointed for a term of four years and
shall not be removed before the expiry of their tenure except for misconduct or
insanity or protracted illness.
The Authority shall be responsible for regulating the establishment and
operation of all privately owned broadcast stations and the development of
electronic media in Pakistan.
The Authority shall have exclusive right to issue licenses for the establishment
and operation of all privately owned broadcast stations.

e. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF LICENSE: A broadcaster who is

issued a license under this Ordinance shall:
– Promote respect for the sovereignty, security and integrity of the Islamic
Republic of Pakistan.

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– Promote respect for the national, cultural and religious values as enshrined
in the Objective Resolution.
– Promote respect for the principles of public policy as enshrined in the
Constitution of the country.
– Ensure that his programmes and advertisements do not promote violence,
terrorism, racial discrimination, religious sectarianism or hatred.
– Promote respect for law, order and justice.
– Allow rejoinder by persons aggrieved by broadcasting which has referred
to them by name.
This ordinance, however, was expired and currently it is not cleared which
department or authority is responsible to regulate or look after the electronic
media.

15. TRANSMISSION ABROAD: Recently, a six-hour programme of PTV

transmission has been initiated from Oslo, Norway under the title of Prime Television.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made the inauguration of the Oslo transmission on his
way to Washington while some Pakistani artists were also present on the inaugural
ceremony. Initially some senior PTV officials have also been deputed there, the
status of the Oslo transmission is, however, not clear whether it is being run officially
or by the private concern. According to informed sources, one Abdul Jabbar from
Lahore has purchased the time for 6-hour transmission.
Apart from the question of status of the Oslo transmission, by and large, it is a step in
the direction to facilitate Pakistanis living abroad to keep them abreast with the latest
developments in their homeland.
Such arrangements of transmission of PTV programmes including current affair and
news and entertainment programmes must be of great interest for the Pakistanis living
abroad and should be extended to other countries including UK, USA and Gulf states
where a large number of Pakistanis are living.
Jawed Jabbar, a prominent media wizard and the former minister in the caretaker
government of Meraj Khalid, while commenting on EMRA pointed out at least 10
solid reasons that why the EMRA law offers a unique opportunity to the present
government to take truly decisive and meaningful step towards an authentic
democratic system.
Spelling out these reasons, Jabbar said EMRA law provides for an open and
transparent process by which citizens and organizations can apply for licenses to
operate their own Radio and TV stations in recognition of the principle that the
airwaves of a country are a national asset which should be utilized only with prior
public knowledge, not by the use of executive discretion in a secretive manner in
favour of selected private parties.
The law facilitates the expression of the vibrant pluralism which characterizes the
society and which is in consequence with democracy. So far, the pluralism has been

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reflected in only a controlled and restricted manner through the print media which
reaches less than 10 percent of the population and through the restrictive
interpretation of cultural pluralism in Radio and TV practiced for the past 5 decades
by which pluralism is defined only in terms of folk dances and folk music.
Jabbar observed that EMRA law enables for the first time, the broadcast of non-
official news bulletins and political affairs programmes by electronic media. In the
case of radio, this would end a 50-year old monopoly on the officially certified truth
and in the case of TV, the 30-year old monopoly of “Khabarnama.”
The EMRA law was supposed to specifically exclude state-owned electronic media
from its purview that there is inevitably an element of competition between state
owned electronic media and the proposed privately owned electronic media.
The proposed law was aimed at ensuring that all private electronic media monopolies
cease to exist. However, in doing so, the law did not envisage an overnight cessation
which would be disruptive and destructive even through such private media
monopolies such as NTM contract with STN, the FM-100 radio stations and Shaheen
Pay TV were all created without going through due process of transparency and
public competition. Rather the EMRA law enables such monopolies to apply afresh
to the Authority within 6 months of the law coming into force for revalidation of their
licenses on a non-monopolistic basis.
According to Jawed Jabbar, one unique feature of this law was that it guarantees the
right of reply to an individual or an organization about whose conduct and character
the content of a radio or TV programme may have made claims or statements, which
can be construed as being defamatory.
By opening the entire electronic media sector to private participation, Jawed Jabbar
said that this proposed law had sought to encourage the electronic media in Pakistan
to compete effectively with overseas electronic media, specially Indian controlled
channels which are now tightening a stronghold over regional satellite TV in
comparison of state owned TV in Pakistan. Notwithstanding its occasional excellence
in some respect clearly lags for behind in content, candor, colour and in technical
proficiency.
Most importantly Jawed Jabbar said that the proposed EMRA law was aimed at a new
relationship between the people of Pakistan and electronic media. By permitting the
creation of community-based radio stations.
Whether it is for parts of a city or 100 villages in a Tehsil, the law visualizes a new
and purposeful use of media to promote participative development and the growth on
institutions, which will empower people at the grassroots level.
The EMRA law was the most progressive media law in Pakistan’s history and is
arguably the most advanced media law in South Asia, Jawed claimed.
Giving his views on the government’s control over electronic media, Jawed Jabbar
observed that it is true that as official electronic media it has the mandate to project,
as far as possible, a positive image of the government of the day and of conditions in

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general. But the radio and TV have, in a way also rendered some service by either
ignoring outright or downplaying events and trends which are divisive and violent
nature and whose projection in the news may well have sparked damaging
repercussions on a large scale.
The positive contribution of the government-controlled media are outweighed and
neutralized by the negative role played by Radio and TV. The continuous
government control undermines their performance. It distorts the content of news
bulletins and current affairs programmes, stalls creativity in entertainment and general
programmes etc.

16. OPPOSITION: On the political front, while a political party comes to

power, the policy of controlled media is defended by the ruling party as it helps to
project its policies, however, when the same party sits on the other side of the table, it
strongly supports freedom of media including the electronic media.
Recently an opposition leader has demanded a separate TV station for Sindh saying
that the state-run Pakistan Television has become a mouthpiece of the ruling PML
government.
The people of Sindh should establish their own Sindh television. He was of the view
that the government was using the state-run radio and TV for holding media trial of its
political opponents. He also pointed out what he called anti-opposition policy and
said that there was no other alternative left with the people of Sindh to setup their own
TV station.
He recalled the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had also demanded a separate TV
station and a bank for the province of Punjab when he was the Chief Minister of that
province. He also said Nawaz Sharif had strongly pleaded the setting up of Punjab
Television by claiming that he was not being given “proper coverage” as Chief
Minister of the province by the central government controlled TV.
Contrary to this claim, the authorities at Radio Pakistan or for that matter in Pakistan
Television are of the view that they have to follow the policy of the government in the
larger national interest within the parameters evolved to safeguard and protect the
interest of this nation.
Apart from the debate that what should be the role of the electronic media in Pakistan,
a senior official of Radio Pakistan was proud of the contribution made by the radio
both at the time of emergencies and peace. He said that the Radio Pakistan, although,
is less popular in the urban areas because of glamorous TV receptions, yet its role is
still unparalleled in the rural areas and remote parts of the country. The radio is still
contributing its unparalleled role in the growth of agriculture sector, which is the
spinal cord of the national economy, because radio is the only source of information,
which reaches to the lowest segment of the society.

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The honour of announcing the historic words uttered by the first announcers of Radio
Pakistan, Mustafa Ali Hamdani, “This is Radio Pakistan,” on the midnight of August
14, 1947 will always remain with the Radio Pakistan, he said proudly.

17. THE POWER OF THE MEDIA IN SPORT: It is generally

accepted that the mass media have become some of the most powerful institutional
forces in society. Although we all use the media in different ways, the media are
responsible for directing attention and shaping cultural attitudes and values (Harris &
Clayton, 2002; Sage 1998). Most aspects of life in contemporary societies have an
impact on the media and, reciprocally, are influenced by the media. How the media
represent a social group gives important clues to understanding their social status,
social values, norms, and attitudes toward that group. Thus, the dominant electronic
and print media narratives about elite female and male athletes help to define,
normalize, influence, and reflect mainstream social beliefs about them.
A number of theoretical perspectives can be used to explain the reasons why media
choose to present sport and elite female and male athletes in specific ways.
Theoretical insight can be drawn from feminist, cultural studies, and political
economy perspectives.
Feminist sport scholars claim that female athletes are marginalized and exploited.
They seed to change sport to counter oppression based on not just gender, but also
race, class, and ethnicity (Hall, 2002). Feminists view sport and the media as
symbiotic institutions that frame sports coverage within a gender hierarchy where
male athletes are portrayed as naturally superior to female athletes. The media
perpetuate and neutralize this hierarchy by rewarding female athletes whose physical
appearance conforms to a Euro-centric heterosexual femininity with more coverage
and, thus, more exposure for commercial endorsements than female athletes who have
an androgynous physical appearance (Creedon, 1994). The underlying hegemonic
message is that athleticism and femininity are contradictory and that female athletes
must balance their athletic prowess with femininity to be socially accepted (Krane,
2001).
Cultural studies scholars view the media as playing an important role in the
construction and reconstruction of hegemonic ideologies such as capitalism,
patriarchy, and heterosexuality, by creating and neutralizing social reality (Sage,
1998). Hargreaves (1982, p. 127) asserted that through the use of verbal and visual
imagery, “the media re-dramatize and re-present what are already potent dramatic
spectacles within a framework of interpretation, which facilitates the passing of
ideologically coded messages, that is, preferred ways of seeing sport and society.” It
is claimed that when women enter the masculine world of sport, institutional, cultural,
social, and economic powers are used to reinforce gender differences and patriarchal
ideology through the subordination and oppression of female athletes (Burton Nelson,
1994; Coakley, 2003).

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18. COMBATING TERRORISM IN PAKISTAN, “CHALLENGES &

PROSPECTS”: Terrorism is a highly controversial issue in contemporary
international politics. In effect, the controversy exists over its nature, causes and
consequences with no efforts by the scholars to come to any conclusive opinion on the
subject. Notwithstanding this terrorism is nowadays considered as a threat to global
peace and security, especially in the aftermath of 9/11, True; while there is the
problem with respect to defining terrorism, less controversy exists with respect to the
“forms and manifestations: in which it takes place, and all such types are will
documented by the UN.
It should be mentioned that the forms and manifestations of terrorism do not follow a
stereo-typed pattern. The factors that generate it, and the violence, which characterize
it are varied in nature. As a result, each pocked of terrorism varies from the other in
its origin, types and methods. What then is the nature of terrorism in South Asia?
The question raised attains more pertinence as in the aftermath of 11 September the
focus of the international community has shifted to this region due to increasing
influence of numerous religious extremist and terrorist activities in the area. Also,
historically, South Asia is viewed as a region protracted animosity due to a host of
reasons like political, ethno-cultural and religious conflict of various nature,
occasional terrorist activities with cross-border ramifications, illegal trafficking of
small arms etc. The region, therefore, remains politically volatile with the
potentialities to threaten peace and stability in the areas both within and beyond it.
Needless to mention, recurring ethno-religious problems in India, in particular in
Jammu and Kashmir, Maoist insurgency in Neal, Tamil problem in Sri Lanka, series
of bomb attacks in Bangladesh, each with a set of different security implications for
the region, have drawn the rapt attention of many in recent times. The region’s
proximity to Afghanistan – the hideout of the Talibans – is also a factor to be
reckoned with in so far as combat against international terrorism is concerned.
What, perhaps, is more important to take note is that, in most instances, the terrorist
activities that plague South Asian states have cross-border dimension mainly due to
the fact that their origins and causes interconnect and overlap political boundaries.
Quite dismayingly, the governments in South Asia have taken very little initiatives to
combat terrorism in their respective countries, either individually or collectively. The
result being that the countries of the region, i.e., Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka,
Nepal continue to remain bogged down in terrorism, and that too at an alarming rate.
In this light, the main purpose of this article is to discuss briefly the nature and
complexities of terrorism in South Asian countries and to suggest some ideas as to
how the countries can combat the menaces of terrorism through appropriate policy
measures.
A common strategy is suggested as the countries of South Asia share many
commonalties with respect to history, tradition, culture, religion and other spheres of

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life and they can share their experience within the framework of SAARC. Despite
this, counter terrorism measures have not been properly explored in the region as yet.
In this connection, while there has been the lack of initiative on the part of the
governments, initiatives from the civil society or the media in combating terrorism
has not been that forthcoming either. For example, in South Asia, over the years,
media has played a negative role in fuelling various kinds of political violence,
communalism, jingoism and terrorism through propaganda, media blitz and hype.
Identifying the root causes of negative perceptions of global life has been rationalized
on an argument that terrorism would continue to threaten in perpetuity many
established norms, values and institutions of modern civilization with serious
consequences for world peace and stability. Global security paradigms and concepts
have changed in the wake of after 9/11 realities. “A state’s principal threat may no
longer be another state, but rather shadowy sub-state or even trans-state – networks of
individuals, weapons and financing.” Like shift of security paradigm, shift of
terrorism has also occurred; we now witness sift from ideologically sponsored
terrorism to religious extremists sponsored terrorism.
A number of scholars in the post 9/11 period have taken unbridled in directly equating
terrorism with Islamic militancy, extremism or fundamentalism. What has probably
fomented this liberty is the fact that the terrorist attack on September 11, are alleged
to be committed by a band of Muslims radicals belonging to 1 group. It is no denying
the fact that as a dangerous ideology, Al-Qaedaism is spreading in many parts of the
world. But with the new Muslim element in the equation of terrorism, there came the
eventual onslaught on the entire Muslim world that in the eyes of many appeared to
be the breeding ground for all contemporary terrorist activities.
While terrorist acts, by all logical conclusions, constitute a crime against humanity
and call for a combat against it by all quarters, the U.S. reaction, in particular to the
phenomenon draws one’s attention. In this connection, three elements in the U.S.
policy are, indeed, mind arresting. First, a virtual equation of the post 9/11 version of
terrorism while Islamic militancy, extremism or fundamentalism by the U.S. leaders,
Second, by defining the war on terror as a war against radical and militant expressions
of Islam, the U.S.A has taken a wide-angle view of the Muslim world. Third, the U.S.
Seems to have deviated from its earlier segmented or ‘country-specific policy’
towards the Muslim world. Many scholars tend to argue that in the post 9/11, the U.S.
foreign policy vis-à-vis the entire Muslim world seems to be following a unified goal.
While it is unfortunate that many Western countries have started sharing similar
views, South Asian countries should understand that terrorists have no religion other
than doing harm to the mankind. Analysis of other regional anti-terrorist efforts
reveals several themes. “One, obviously, is the recognition that terrorism is a regional
security issue. Additionally, each is related to a state-level political agreement,
ensuring the full participation of member governments. Each is to serve as its
respective regions’ central clearinghouse of terrorist and antiterrorist data. Each is to

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assist members in capacity building and training programmes. Each is to assist in the
legislative strengthening and harmonisation of the region. And each has actual
physical center, staffed by real people and charged with a real mission – the creation
of a cooperative, coordinated and comprehensive regional anti-terrorist strategy.”
Long-drawn and concerted efforts are required to combat terrorism in the age of
globalisation and communication revolution. South Asia should join the global
community to identify international terror networks and should take strong initiatives.
They should develop effective intelligence and counter-intelligence system. Religious
extremists should be countered. In fact, religions can be used positively in
influencing public attitudes against terrorism in South Asia into judicial independence
and media freedom, corruption and lack of transparency, are also serious
impediments. Without attention to these political issues, there can be no sustainable
economic development.”
Sri Lankan President, Ms. Chandrika B. Kumaratunga said, “I believe honestly and
strongly that the most effective response to conflict and terrorism is to root out the
causes that generate them. The causes of these conflicts and the form they take
whether it be terrorism or otherwise, must be studied and understood in a scientific
and objective manner. The people of South Asia need to engage urgently in this
exercise. South Asia has failed to emerge, even after half a century of its
independence, from cataclysmic intra-national divisions and conflicts. South Asia is
home of the world’s most feared terrorist groups – Al Qaeda and the LTTE.”
Finally, it can be said that states, which are charged with maintaining public order,
have now become helpless spectators vis-à-vis terrorism. In contrast, a South Asia
civil society now seems to be evolving with a growing support for regional
cooperation with or without governmental support. This includes the social
movements that champion human rights, environmental protection, social justice,
conflict resolution and peace building outside traditional political structure. These
social movements and their networks can play greater roles in promoting human
centered social, economic and cultural relationships in South Asia and hence regional
cooperation. This group can also act as a powerful body to sensitize the issue of
terrorism in the region, its deleterious effects on the lives of people, their well being
and hence or regional cooperation as a whole. Alongside, the role of media is
essential for management of terrorism in South Asia. Currently, the private media
and the government media are not in harmonious terms. Both need to be on
cooperative terms in tackling the complex issue of terrorism.

19. MEDIA’S ROLE IN GENERAL AWARENESS OF

DISEASES: In Pakistan, media has played a vital role in creating general
awareness, precautions, in the rural and urban areas against different contiguous
diseases. Media clearly demarcated health tips and reasons for its decline.

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20. MEDIA DISCRIMINATES GENDER DIFFERENCE: Men

and women are two integral parts of life, which cannot be separated by each other.
Both are important in development and progress of a country. Media successfully
discriminated such gender differences in Pakistan.

21. MEDIA AND MILITARY CODE: Pakistan’s armed forces

successfully use media for their mutual interests. It is the media, which successfully
completes their job and fulfills their motives.

22. MEDIA’S ROLE IN IMPROVING ENVIRONMENT: Media

is successfully trying to save the earth from pollution and its associated hazards.
Daily precautions are described by media to clean your houses and steps to improve
the environment. It also helps in promoting awareness and knowledge about different
diseases.

23. RECOMMENDATIONS:
 Media should run special programmes in order to bring awareness in people
especially those from rural areas about different fatal and contiguous diseases like
HIV AIDS, Cancer, etc.
 Media like TV, and radio should develop a citizen commission where commoners
should come and deliver problem to authorities concerned.
 It should help in campaign against freedom of expression and particular reference
to the extent to which the mass media actually fulfill ethical, professional and
legal help.
 In order to eliminate, terrorism and corruption, media should develop a
comprehensive national anti corruption strategy.
 Pakistan is an Islamic country, so media should form an effective association to
procure the rights of all Muslims and minorities as well, through TV, radio and
PTV channels, it should be stressed upon.
 Media has a strong role to play in avoiding violence against women, programmes
in this regard should be an integral part of policy.
 Media’s role cannot be denied in peace talks between India and Pakistan.
 Media should perform its level best in promoting Pakistani culture, traditions and
society.

24. CONCLUSION: The electronic media in Pakistan has great potentials.

Despite all glamour and colours being displayed by Indian channels, the forceful
expression of Pakistani plays and serials have forced the Indian channels to acquire
them to telecast on their channels. Currently Hasina Moin’s play “TANHA” on Star
Plus is the best example of winning the game with a quality presentation. Pakistan’s
electronic media has the potential to counter the culture invasion through quality

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products. However, “freedom” whether it pertains to man or electronic media, is such

a precious word that is universally honoured and respected by all. However, freedom
has also a limit, its boundaries come to an end when it reaches to another’s freedom.
Keeping this principle in mind, freedom of electronic media should be allowed to
prevail which would play a much better role for all segments of the society
irrespective of the sides of the table.
Same case with print media, it has successfully competed with social, moral and
spiritual diseases of society right from the creation of Pakistan and working as great
soldiers for promoting and inculcating healthy habits and helping in Pakistan’s
development and progress. May Allah bless all those who founded it and are
currently working in its different spheres. (AMIN).

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