The Role of Freedom of press in post September 11 in Pakistan – Political Agenda Settings and War on Terror

Freedom of press has always been a developmental issue and debate over the time, and from region to region, since the advent of a printing machine and its industry. Almost no one would have hypothesized at the time keeping in view, the evolution and development of technology and electronic media, which could further amplify the voice around the globe with just a tap on the screen, what wonders it can fulfill if handled or regulated rightly to spread the information to educate people and how much hazard and disaster it can create if handled wrongfully to spread the misinformation to manipulate groups of people and although regions to accomplish any personal goal at the dispense of majority of population.
State of Pakistan has a turbulent history of the freedom of press since its birth as many dictators with the blend of some rich masters have ruled possessing personals objectives. Before the rapid expansion of electronic media there were few sources of information like print media and a state owned channel “PTV” which had always been exploited and used for setting personal political agendas to highlight the importance of issues which were only important for few individuals.
September 11 was an important episode of our history which exposed our importance of position in the international arena. That position made the then military ruler Pervaiz Musharraf a key role player. He abruptly steered state’s policies toward unprecedented Islamic terrorism and war on terror along with the image building of Pakistan by some liberal measures in account of women rights, minority rights and freedom of expression. However those measures had outweighed by some irregular restrictions in other areas. Expansive explosion of the mass media after 9/11 in Pakistan has led its most of the population which was illiterate to seek the awareness of national and international issues, but on the other hand it became a field of political investments for both the foreign political powers and local political parties to exploit the potentiality of media to curb opinions and set political agendas according to their belonging interests. It has been evident to date that whenever people would come to conclude the opposing opinion about drones attacks and bloodshed of innocent people on the name of “war on terror”, all of a sudden from nowhere an unimportant issue would capture the centre stage in the daily based talk shows and headlines on most of the leading channels to divert and guide the attention. All the channels are known by some influential anchorpersons and analysts who’s affiliations to political entities are not hidden and can be clearly and evidently examined.
Regardless of the riches influence, unprofessionalism and irresponsibility has made the situation even worse, by creating an ambience of demoralization, violence and psychological depression by selling and reporting sensationalized events and emotions back to them.
Keeping in view the current crisis of war on terror, media have to take things responsibly by initiating a system of accountability within so that influence of political affiliations on media is minimized to unite people on issues that are important for country, showing both sides of the picture and educating people so intellectual debates could be held and thus a common opinion and policy could be devised to fight the challenges.