Notes

The common people have the right to know about the working of their government. People want to be aware of the happenings around them and it is because of media that the people are aware of what is happening around them. Media is a mirror of the society. It not only bridges the gap between the government and the general public but also provides information about what is happening in other parts of the world. Without media we are literally a frog in the well. It widens the lens of the people to acknowledge justice as well an injustice and policies and political processes. It does play a big role in creating awareness regarding problems of national importance with their comprehensive background. Media is the watchdog of all the activities which happen in the society. But there is a flipside also. Some media organizations are giving breaking news just for the sake of it. I think a responsible and honest media builds a healthy society. Its a fact that media is the most powerful weapon in todays time to expose and let people know about any wrong political economic or social deeds. We live in times when both journalists and the public even in most developed countries like UK and United States are still struggling to reach a consensus on what constitutes good journalism. Its no longer enough for journalists themselves to think that they are doing a good job. Media is considered to be the fourth pillar of the society, the other three being legislative, executive and judiciary. It definitely plays an important role in the welfare of the society and obviously Pakistan has progressed so much only because of it. The role of media does not stand for judgment; its major role is to give us information about various situations. It is after all ones own decision to judge any given situation. What is obligatory on the part of media is that it should not be wavering from its actual role of ensuring unbiased information without misusing its power and sensationalizing the issues. There is no doubt that some channels are doing a good job and have brought realities to peoples faces be it in terms of corruption or terrorism. In my view, media is the watchdog of democracy and executive. Its major segment is playing its role honestly that would become a great force in building the nation. It is effectively playing the role of an informative bridge between governing bodies and general public, in absence of which general public cannot be aware about what kind of bills and acts are passed in the parliament, and what are their positive and negative effects in the society. If media persons close their eyes, the government officials would do what they want, without any obstacle. The medias right to report governments corruption and bad governance cases in Pakistan is not adequately safeguarded. It is the responsibility of the government to prosecute corrupt public servants and advocating the need for state institutions responsible for combating corruption to discharge their duties without fear or favor. On the contrary when people are charged for corrupt practices, it tends to be politicized and not until this culture is done away with, the fight against public corruption especially at the highest level will come to an end. Corruption has increased enormously in the country and is being exposed by media. Instead of dreaming to control the media, the government should rather set its house in order.