Applying the same rules

Global media coverage of tragic events in Middle East has brought, once again, several important issues to the fore

The global media coverage of the tragic events in the Middle East has brought, once again, several important issues to the fore. Many people, across the board, are rightfully concerned about the global media coverage and the bias it may have. There are grievances on all sides. Important and thoughtful voices of analysts, historians and regional experts are deprioritised over the voices of those whose Wikipedia-based understanding of complex human issues is shallow. Dehumanising rhetoric is further fueling anxieties among communities that have long been traumatised by hateful speech and vile actions. Calling out one-sided coverage that may be biased and prejudiced, protesting the silencing of dissenting voices and rejecting hateful speech by those who have the mic is the right thing to do. But it is only the right thing if we apply the same rules everywhere.

Like their peers around the world and from across the political, religious, ethnic and geographic spectrum, Pakistani colleagues and analysts are raising these concerns. I am glad our analysts are engaging on important issues, for global engagement should not only be the privilege of people in rich countries. However, as we raise these concerns there are two fundamental issues to address here. First, is the issue of our own people. For as long as I can remember, we have not viewed all lives equally in Pakistan. I am not raising a particularly novel point here for the issues of who gets to have full rights and who gets to be treated with publicly accepted indignity is well known. The dehumanising rhetoric against Ahmedis, Hazaras, Christians and other locally marginalised communities is not only common, it is viewed in certain circles as an absolute necessity to prove your patriotic and pious credentials. The consequences from that rhetoric are frequent and violent. Religious minorities are not the only group of people who are dehumanised. Ethnic Bengalis in Karachi and elsewhere are still viewed as either enemies or enemy sympathisers or simply not one of us — even though most were born after 1971 and have never lived anywhere else. The harassment of Afghans, going on for decades and turbocharged in the last few weeks, is one of the many examples of how we view human dignity for all, and think about human rights for everyone. Any serious journalist in the country can testify that a balance in coverage on important and sensitive issues remains a distant dream. Some stories are difficult to cover, and others are impossible to discuss in print and electronic media. Full scale engagement with those topics remains impossible. Related to an objective assessment is the issue of silencing of dissenting voices. Even institutions that have deep pockets and strong connections in the corridors of power have had to uninvite speakers or cancel events on a range of important issues, including the 1971 war.

The second aspect — parallel to the issue of people within Pakistan — is who else do we care about? Here again, our argument for fairness weakens significantly as our sympathy seems selective. Palestine and Kashmir are talked about endlessly, but a robust discussion on other marginalised groups (e.g. Uyghurs) is rare, if that. The national conversation about the tragedies in Yemen was far from what could be considered balanced or objective. And of course, then there are other crises which simply do not register on the Richter scale of national consciousness. Rohingya refugees are among this group. We should ask — why should we not care about them?

I am a strong believer that we should engage globally, be aware, speak up and endlessly help those who are vulnerable. Today, more than ever, we need solidarity and serious efforts for peace, rooted in our common humanity across religious, social, ethnic and geographic boundaries. But our ability to convince others to be fair, objective and kind would only be meaningful if we practise those ideals at home as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2023.

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