TV producers should recognise that they have a duty to educate the public, not just amuse it
HYDERABAD: A survey conducted in 1978 by Professor Alay Ahmad of Preston University in Kohat suggests that the state-run television’s (PTV’s) attempt to produce child-oriented science-related programmes such as Akar Bakar, Taal Matol and Bara Din ended up being ineffective. Almost 95% of the viewers developed no interest in science. It probably had a lot to do with the time of the telecast, non-effective use of language as well as lack of public interest.
The absence of science from the mainstream media reflects the public’s disinterest in it. In the rat race of ratings, media channels have blurred the very purpose of their existence. Every time, one turns on the TV, one gets to see hot political debates, clamorous morning shows, fashion, sports and cooking programmes. Not a single media channel bothers to produce programmes on discovery, science and creativity. The same can be said about the print media.
TV producers should recognise that they have a duty to educate the public, not just amuse it. It is, therefore, a matter of utmost priority for the authorities concerned to prevent the graph of interest in science from falling lower and make TV worth watching again.
Saif Memon
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2018.
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