This independent group of concerned citizens not only gave shape to the public outburst against Maya Khan in the form of emails to Samaa TV Chairperson Zafar Siddiqi and an online petition signed by over 5,000 people, they also successfully held A-Plus TV accountable for their show Thori Si Bewafai , a show featuring (allegedly staged) vigilante-style raids on couples. As result of which, within a couple of hours of a petition having been put forward, the host of the show Shamoon Abbasi announced quitting the show. In a detailed message in response to the CFRM, Abbasi claimed to have quit the show as he personally disagreed with its format, and claimed he was only briefed on the show’s script upon reaching shoot locations.
In light of these cases, the CFRM released a press release on Saturday, stating:
“The degree of participation shown and encouragement by media consumers led us to come together under the umbrella of 'Citizens for Free and Responsible Media (CFRM), Pakistan'. We function as a non-hierarchal platform with decisions taken by consensus among the core group members, with inputs from media consumers who can now join us on our Facebook page. People can also point out media transgressions and give their inputs here, to do their bit to ‘reduce the social cost of silence’.”
The CFRM has already gained over 700 followers on their Facebook page, which features updates on possible media infringements and articles related to media ethics. According to the CFRM, the goal is “…not to get channels banned or to get TV hosts or journalists fired, but to encourage channels to evolve their own set of guidelines and code of ethics in conjunction with senior producers, journalists and concerned citizens, to ensure that privacy and human dignity are not violated. We urge them to make these guidelines public…We also urge them to incorporate a channel for media consumers to approach in case of complaint or redress, and appoint internal ombudsmen for this purpose. We also urge the industry to revise the current ratings system, and align the ‘quality of content’ with the ‘quantity of viewership.’”
COMMENTS (15)
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Maya khan point out the problem of our socity. So i think she is right. My vote and opienon is with him.
Its a shame on Pakistan MEdia.... Those who try to save society from bad things are held accountable in front of audience.. those leaders who do every possible shameful act are never questioned.. ONLY BECAUSE SHE IS A WOMEN..........Shame on SAMAA TV.. privacy intrudering ??????? Huhhhhhh
'Citizens for free and responsible media' is a good idea. All concerned citizens must join hands to raise voice against lntrusive acts of certain media organisations which are becoming nuisance for individual privacy and human diginity.
This is an important step.
Similar initiatives will have to spring up across the country for the right impact, and balance.
CFRM is a good initiative but it should have a beginning, a tangible purpose and an end... if it becomes an institution it will become vulnerable to corruption just like the rest of our institutions and as a result a few years down the line they will turn into the very same ruthless watchdogs who they set out to destroy in the first place. with the same double standards and hypocrisy as the censor board.
Maya deserved this humiliation!!!!
Excellent
CFRM...yet another attempt at attention whoring. If media cant take the role of police, these so called concerned citizens cant BE the media regulator either. and 700 or so followers? OMG...such an achievement.
Good Initiative ....
Better late than never...God save us from the corporate greed in media. there's only jibberish being fed to the illiterate Pakistanis, by illiterate media.
This is an excellent step. Media is increasingly becoming a mafia in Pakistan, which behaves like a self-righteous judge. There is certainly a need to self-regulate what is being shown on the television channels, since they do not (and probably should not) come under the influence of government agencies like PEMRA.
I don't expect that TV hosts will carry out the job of Pakistani Police.
Maya's morning show was one of the ugliest show I ever have see. No one has the authority to chase people like that as Maya and her entire team were doing in the show.
This kind of attitude is abuse of power and authority which the hosts have while conducting a talk show.
What we need to correct the past mistakes is that instead of hiring young TV host, TV channels should hire the services of elderly and matured men and women who have the experience of life and know before hand the repercussions of conducting any talk shows.
I hope that the owners and the CEO's of various TV channels will take a note which has come out after Maya morning show in which her entire team have been terminated from conducting further assignments.
I dont know but every time i see Maya Khan's pic, i burst into laughter
Citizens for Free and Responsible Media (CFRM) is wonderful idea and valuable one, too. It's time that we, the citizens, take such measures to reverse / correct all the wrongs done to us as consumers of various products, tangible as well as non tangibles. CFRM is brilliant example of power that the ordinary citizens have and are. So, lets organize and decide what kind of society we wish for ourselves and our kids to grow up into.