There is hardly any coverage in Indian media of day-to-day news from Pakistan.
HYDERABAD, INDIA: There is hardly any coverage in Indian media of day-to-day news from Pakistan. If at all Pakistan figures it is usually for the wrong reasons. (For that matter there is hardly any coverage of news from the rest of the world either — other than US, Australia and a bit of the UK.)
This blinkered approach to the goings-on in the rest of the world is frustrating for, at least, some of us Indians. The roots lie probably in increasing TRPs (target rating points) and selling advertising space. Bollywood, political corruption and sensational news get higher TRPs. Surprisingly, some of the government media is sometimes more balanced in its current affairs coverage though it obviously has its own share of official propaganda.
The internet has for the first time provided a great alternative for some of us in India to “pull” news rather than being subjected to news “pushed” by local media. And several Indians, myself included, are for the first time discovering the diversity of opinion prevailing in Pakistan. Initial finger-pointing and superior airs are understandable as people find some of their preconceived ideas about Pakistan challenged. I don’t condone this but I can understand it happening, though much of it is quite immature. However, most people soon tire of this childish behaviour and genuinely desire to engage in meaningful discussions with those across the border. In that regard, the comments sections of your website are invaluable.
MQ
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2010.
