In a country where being brave is challenged on irrational pretexts, truth becomes a victim
SUKKUR: Apropos the article ‘Weapons of mass influence’ by Fahd Hussain published in your journal on September22.
In a country where being brave is challenged on irrational pretexts, truth becomes a victim. Every government makes tall claims to grant due freedom in contrast to the previous one. However, when truth challenges the incumbents, attempts are made to muzzle the sane voices and gag the fourth pillar of the state.
Far from the civilised part of the world where opinions are respected and debates are encouraged, people in our part of the world jump to take sides and draw conclusions without giving rationality a chance. This often breeds intolerance. Political issues have polarised the media houses to the point of being antagonistic to each other. In trying to be different, some journalists and TV anchors have also been found compromising their objectivity. Equally harmful is the grouping within the media houses that has badly undermined the fourth pillar of the state.
It is also the responsibility of the news persons to avoid getting carried away in the mix of sensationalism with facts. Meanwhile, impartial and un-theatrical voices have successfully maintained their respect as credible sources of journalism.
Riaz Mahar
Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2019.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
