By Masror Hausen
"As some remarkable terrorist attacks in history indicate, whether it is in the United States, Europe, or the Middle East, it is by and large the case that the architects of terrorism exploit the media for the benefit of their operational efficiency, information gathering, recruitment, fund raising and propaganda schemes."-- Brigitte Nacos
Pakistani Media flourished as a result of the terror attacks in the same way as it benefits when a poor girl is raped or a psychotic man kills his wife and children. All these make news. There is a stark difference between a terrorist attack and social crime but it is fair to argue that there is a mutually beneficial relationship between terrorism and today’s media.
Reporters who cover bomb-blasts from Karachi to Peshawar are never afraid because they have confidence that their camera was, unwittingly, multiplying the terror effect, the terrorists would never hurt them and in fact they would protect them in danger. A reporter has to give each and every minor detail, however gory, to secure/justify their job. Reporters who create or act out an alarming tone and face expression are preferred over cool-voiced reporters.
When that panic creating report runs live in the bulletin with footage, it obviously transfers that panic to the millions of viewers. Viewers get alarmed and in some funny way they begin to like it. I yet have to see a viewer who would switch over from the coverage of a bomb blast to a sports or a drama channel. Viewers love to be scared just as so many people go to horror movies. Fear diverts attention from mundane problems of which viewers don't have solutions. The role of the reporter is, therefore, crucial in holding the viewers' attention.
Crooked governments love such coverage because it keeps their voters in a state of perpetual fear psychosis and keeps them from pointing fingers at the election promises, governance follies and of course corruption.
Since a bulletin with such live coverage with "breaking news" impact attracts most viewers, the advertisers flock to place their ad right there in that bulletin on that channel. And TV channel owners love it. They have invested millions and they want to make money fast so they love anything that attracts viewers and advertisers' money.
On a day when there is no such incident, the production team feels bored. "Aaj thund hai yar, kia karein." Instead of feeling good on a relaxed day their hearts pound because they know the Channel would retrench them if there was no "meat" in the bulletin and bring in cheaper producers.
Terrorists probably know the mechanics of the media. They know that their activity is loved as much by the media owners as it is by the producers and reporters/camera crew.
There is an irony here. In a Western democracy, press/media is the fourth pillar entrusted with the role of keeping an eye on the executive and the public kitty. When they cover a bomb blast they are theoretically showing the mirror to the government and reminding it of its duty of safeguarding the lives of the people.
Therefore, if one believes in the antics of democracy, there is no gagging the press/media. That will be termed "anti-democratic," "unconstitutional" and violation of the "freedom of expression." At the same time any suggestion to the media is discouraged as an attempt to interfere in the freedom of the press and is looked at with disdain.
But at the same time these antics of democracy which we all like and support so much are multiplying the terrorist affect with the aim of subduing the public to the point of accepting the demands of the terrorists and at the same time it steals away the legitimacy of the government for failing to protect their lives and limbs. Media is being abused by the terrorists, it has been hijacked.
Outspoken, independent and patriotic journalists have been sidelined or thrown out.
Terrorism cannot be tamed through the media unless of course we stop the flow of cash from the advertisers (by requesting the business houses) and kill the media. This scenario is workable but pretty far-fetched as it will attract a lot of flak from the business community which will turn around and take their complaint to the government and the international community.
In conclusion, media is not the place to go to stop terrorism. A functional democracy, prospering society and a lion-heart leader is the only way to snatch away the space and the narrative from the militants, restore confidence in the country and steer out of a situation that has started to resemble the situation in 1971 so much.
Leony Li
By
Published: 2014-07-04T11:57:00-07:00
Media unwittingly promoting terrorism
By
Published: 2014-07-04T11:57:00-07:00
Media unwittingly promoting terrorism
