Media of any country is the
reflection of its culture, history and religion.
Pakistan is an Islamic Republic country founded on the ideology of Islam.
Quaid-e-Azam stated, “We do not demand Pakistan simply to have a piece of land
but we want a laboratory where we could experiment on Islamic principles.”(In
1946, Quaid-e-Azam Islamia College Peshawar) .
Thus the essence for the struggle for Pakistan was to provide the Muslims of
sub- continent a place where they could freely practice their religion.
As a result of restless struggle Pakistan came into existence on 14 August 1947.
With the independence of the state many other struggles for independence started
within the country one of which was the "struggle for the independence of media
in Pakistan."
Historically, the media of Pakistan is always under pressure sometimes by their
own government and sometimes by the foreign forces. For a good period of
Pakistan television and Radio Pakistan were the only source of news for the
people, they portray the government agenda 'SAB THIK HAI'. The print can be
considered free because of the Jang group but different kind of other tactics
were used to made them not to write the truth. In this context, the regime of
Zia-ul-Haq was the most adverse one in which the news as well as entertainment
media was also implemented with restrictions as well as severe punishment in
case of disobedience. But the daring journalist didn't took the given path and
keep on writing the truth and punished.
The struggle continued for few decades then in 2000 and after, a new era begins
for the media and a number of news as well as entertainment channels got
license. A few land marks which are very recent like Musharaf dismissal from
government, restoration of chudary Iftikhar Muahmmad as the Chief Justice of
Pakistan marked the independence of news media. On the entertainment side this
independence was marked by the broadcast of Indian content on Pakistani
channels.
This independence go so far that one Indian leader said we have invaded Pakistan
culturally. He is not wrong in saying that now when Indian channels are banned
in Pakistan most of the Pakistani channels are displaying the Indian Dramas,
reality shows and talk shows with pride. The music channels of our country
constantly play Indian song, the private cable channel plays Indian films freely
and even those films and songs are played which are restricted to the adult only
are freely running on the television screens without any check. These channels
are all those who complained about the content and pressurize the Pakistan Media
Regulatory Authority to put ban on Indian Channels.
The influence of this is very grave especially on the youth and children who are
becoming violent and morally reprehensible.
Now when media is said to have independence it held some responsibilities from
micro to macro level and its most important responsibility is to educate the
youth with the Islamic Ethics and principles for their betterment as well as the
better future on the country.