“Large part of the media is associated with political groups if not individual politicians,” Hussain stressed, adding that connection between media and political groups is expressed in terms of their alignment, their policies and who gets how much space on air.
“It’s a mutual game of benefiting each other,” he said.
Calling the relationship between media houses and political groups a comfortable and cosy one, Hussain said media in Pakistan is not an agent of change and that it reinforces the power of the groups they are aligned to.
Explaining this link further, the journalist said that many politicians have gain popularity in the public eye just because of their media presence.
“From being little dwarfs with no constituency to mighty analysts, I think media has contributed a lot to this change,” Hussain said, adding that people who can’t even win one seat have had more one-on-one interviews than other known personalities.
“While some have sadly been cut down to nearly nothing,” he added.
Talking about the media’s role as a change maker, Hussain said people’s tolerance to accept truth has diminished.
“The only thing they want to listen to is the one that suits their convenience; people may listen to an alternate viewpoint but when it starts to conflict with their ideas, they will simply turn away,” Hussain explained.
Read: Pakistani media is supra-liberal: Talat Hussain
COMMENTS (23)
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@antanu Uh...Uhhhmm....positive...uuhhmmm....see, i try - NOTHING. P.S. Please, let's not boast about our accomplished individuals who are a million years old now. Let us also not rant about our geography since we have little contribution to that - it was mainly God's work, so. Also, lets not obsessively swagger about the skilled-professional export business of the beloved. White at it, we must refrain from singing songs of victories in wars since war is nothing to be proud of under any circumstance. It'd be advisable is we keep from ostentatiously blabbering about the handful musicians as that few in a hundred millions is only a natural selection and doesn't sing praise of our non-existent talent hunts. So, Antanu, i remain to be a pessimist because the most recent memory of our accomplishments, or the lack of it, was our abysmal experience at the LONDON 2012 where the sixth most populous country in the world sent a contingent of 20.
Keep up the good work, Talat!
@Pea Brain: you and your country have reached to its present nadir due to the very existence of the NEGATIVITISM you propogate so balatantly
As long a country and a sector within that country have 'geniuses' with maximum depth of this, it is not going to get anywhere.
Anyway, these are going to fade away as the initial opportunist crop - once deserving and capable lot takes over as a natural evolution. But beware these guys will make their best not to let them grow and also continue denying who gave them the oppertunity to be where they are today. Enough evidence to see them as ingenuine and untrustworthy.
i agree with talat on this issue
All anchors and Channels have price tag, my friend.
If no price tag than Bhai Log.
one way or other, media has lost its credibility
and your ability to speak truth has diminished - no one is interested in ur opinions and biases positive and negative both - so stop moralizing the viewers and readers - get ur at together
Pakistan's media has never been an agent of change and no one was expecting it to be. Media houses and top anchors in particular, are a bit too self opinionated and not credible at all. I'm bit surprised at Mr Hussain's naivety.
I would like to add that by neglecting the conservative view point of pakistani society by our ultra libral media is in fact promoting the islamic extrimisim.
Pakistani media has never been an agent for change, not even the so called free media and no one was expecting it to be. Media houses and top anchors in particular, are a bit too self opinionated and not credible at all. I'm bit surprised at Talat Hussain's naivety.
Talat is spot on with his analysis. Media has become an outlet of power politics
Talat Hussain is 100 per cent right. I agree him completely. Talat should have the courage to name those politicians who do not have their constituencies but speak daily on TV channels. I am surprised when TV channels almost daily invite Sheikh Rashid to their talk shows. I was expecting that a leading media group would change after its recent campaign, advocating that it is adopting certain principles in the media. But when i listened the media's group renowned anchor Thursday night, who defended Malik Riaz and once again repeated the old charges against Dr Arsalan. How long certain media groups will defend the corrupt and land mafia just for favours to them or their owners. I am sorry to say that the owners and anchors have destroyed journalism and unfortunately there is no possibility of a positive change when money and advertisements are the lone objective not the principles.Shame on such media owners and anchors. I would also request all journalists to stop following dictates and line of the powerful institutions but they must have the courage to be fair in reporting.
How true, thought provoking article. Thank you.
So True...
Unfortunately very true
What, seen your own programme lately?
yes Saint Talat we are lisening...........agent for change........i thought it is duty of politicians to bring change and that of media to report facts...............but St. Talat is a genious....