If things continue in this manner it won’t be too long before Ramazan will become just a name or a symbol
ISLAMABAD: Ramazan for Muslims around the globe means observing self-restraint and patience, and giving back to the underprivileged. But with over-the-top prime time Ramazan transmissions airing on our television sets, we are gradually losing the essence of the holy month each year.
The rat race for obtaining the highest TRPs from these Ramazan game shows has left all lines blurred between infotainment and sensationalism, with the latter seeming to be the mantra for all such shows. Instead of having a show that perpetuates the essence of the month in some way or the other, we have game shows that make audiences engage in cheap tactics just to obtain a free gift.
Although PEMRA has laid down a set of guidelines for these shows to follow in order to maintain the sanctity of the season, the hosts of these shows offer nothing to further them and instead, dwell in taking jibes at their audiences, often their physical appearance, and create an impact through more noise than knowledge. Almost like Ramazan is over the moment they break their fast.
If things continue in this manner it won’t be too long before Ramazan will become just a name or a symbol in the Muslim calendar. It is high time the hosts and channels created shows and scripts that helps preserve the essence of the month and more importantly, it is time the audiences started acting more responsibly and keep the remote in their hands, directing what should be shown.
Shahid Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2017.
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