I would request your newspaper, as well as others, to not give a platform to such people.
NEW YORK: This is with reference to a report in your newspaper of January 10 where it was said that an organisation by the name of Sunni Ittehad Council had warned all those protesting the murder of Salmaan Taseer to cease and desist from such actions or face the consequences.
This news was displayed prominently on the website of not only this newspaper but also those of most other Pakistani English newspapers. And for that I would have to call into question the editorial judgment used by media outlets, because the main purpose of publishing such a report seems to be to provide coverage to such extremist elements. By publishing such reports, the papers themselves are playing a role in spreading messages of hatred and intolerance.
I would request your newspaper, as well as others, to not give a platform to such people. In the eventuality that the extremists take over the country, the media will be strictly controlled and will be forced to print what the extremists say. However, today, the media still has a choice and they should use it intelligently and thoughtfully.
M Farooqui
Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2011.
