Hearing all voices

There are a whole host of issues on which student voices are not just important, they are absolutely essential

Since Oct 7th of this year, much has been written about who gets to write and speak in important media forums, and whose voice gets suppressed. There are troubling stories of cancellations of speaker events, censorship and last-minute decisions to stop important and dissenting opinion pieces. Such instances are troubling, problematic and undermine the health of any society. At the same time, there are also some positive signs of new voices coming to the fore, including voices of young people. In this regard, campus newspapers at universities in the US have brought forward opinions, perspectives, views and ideas of students. It is not to say that the campus newspapers have been perfect, but hearing diverse voices, opinions that challenge the university administrations’ perspective, and taking stand on important issues has been an insightful, and often an educational, experience.

As I read editorials, opinions and perspectives from students across the country – some of whom have personal or religious ties to the Middle East, and others who are troubled by the events – I am convinced that we need to provide more forums to our youth to share their view of the world. Forums that go beyond tweets and Instagram posts, and more than what TikTok videos can offer. Over the last six weeks, I have read outstanding pieces by students who have questioned their own preconceived notions, stood up against the views espoused by their community, written about their anxieties and fears, and have offered robust critique of policies on campus, in the cities and beyond. In an otherwise dark period, such voices, from multiple perspectives, have been both refreshing and have given me immense hope.

The students at US or European colleges and universities are no different than students in any other parts of the world, including Pakistan. They are perceptive, thoughtful, engaged and see the world in unique ways. Unfortunately, most Pakistani institutions do not have a robust culture of student newspapers. In part because of a fear by the administration that distrusts students and only sees them as vessels that need to be filled by classroom lectures, and in part due to inertia, student journalism at Pakistani universities is not a serious endeavour. As a result, students do not get the opportunity to channel their ideas in a thoughtful, polished and constructive manner.

Opinion pieces – that are more than a few hundred characters – require a thought, a theme and an argument. Whether it is descriptive or prescriptive, it allows us to share our ideas, tackle an issue, participate in a debate or put forth an argument, even one that is unpopular at the time. Writing a longer piece not only requires research but also often tempers anger, impulse and knee-jerk reaction that is the norm and the expectation of social media posts.

There are a whole host of issues in the country at the moment on which student voices are not just important, they are absolutely essential. Some of them may relate to issues on campus, others may have a much bigger scope. I cannot wait to hear on some of these from our youth. For example, what are their perspectives about the current economic situation in the country? What, if any, ideas for improvement do they have? How are they viewing the current situation with regard to Afghan refugees? When it comes to climate change, what do they think we should be doing more, or less? I am curious to hear their ideas about declining state of social services, reforms in the education sector, increased political polarisation, and above all their ideas about a kinder and a more just society that works for everyone.

We all will be richer, and better off, if we enable our youth to share how they think, and what they feel. Campus newspapers are an important step in that direction. There is, however, one caveat – and I know that this is perhaps the biggest ask of all. These newspapers need to be open to all ideas, and all perspectives, not just the ones that toe the party line.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2023.

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