Political Talk Shows: Are They Making Or Breaking The Country?

In the last 4-5 years, specifically in Pakistan, media has been through a lot of ups and downs in order to achieve complete freedom of speech, as it has always been under strict Govt restrictions from when Pakistan came into being. Recently during Musharraf’s regime a few restrictions were lifted off, but during the final 2 years of his regime the media came under direct attack by the dictator. The civil society, political forces and almost everyone joined hands with the media in its struggle for freedom. They went through physical and mental torture, and, eventually their efforts paid off. Therefore people hold great emotional attachment with the media. The general public tends to believe in whatever is said by the newscasters and anchor persons for that matter. The media literally puts words into listeners’ mouth.

    Political talk shows are the most watched TV shows in Pakistan. Their ratings are above any other kind of entertainment shows on the television right now. It has become a form of entertainment. Pakistani political scene changes every day, so we are left with some hot topic to be discussed all the time. Therefore talk shows everyday have a lot to discuss. The anchor persons these days have claimed to become public spokesperson. Some of them are doing a very good job but some take full advantage of such situation in creating negativity in the minds of people. Anchor persons and some investigative journalists instead of being analytical, which is their job as a journalist, start giving strong views against or in favor of someone or something, and make sure that everyone believes in whatever they say. These are one of the non-state actors that our govt reminds us about every other day. Some of the talk shows namely “CAPITAL TALK “hosted by Mr.Hamid Mir and “ KAL TAK WITH JAVED CHOUDHARY “ by Mr.Javed Choudhary are thought to be anti- government talk shows. It is said that such talk shows and their hosts are paid by anti-government organization and sometimes even by the some opposing political forces.

    In the end I would like to conclude that today media in Pakistan has come though a long way, and has emerged as a powerful medium for the youth of Pakistan, to express themselves.  However with this mode of power a great degree of responsibility is also attached. The anchor persons should use this power fairly. Rather than imposing their views as final verdicts, they should just create awareness among the general public and let the common man decide on the concerned matter itself.

Author : Ayesha Jamil