Pakistani media is supra-liberal: Talat Hussain
“The mention of a conservative opinion in a TV show or a column doesn’t mean the whole media is conservative. It is exaggeration,” he said.
Hussain stated that a glance at the top newspapers and broadcasters in Pakistan reveals that not a single outlet has a right-wing slant.
The senior journalist explained that there may be individuals in the media that have right-wing, extremist views but they are just a small fraction as compared to the majority.
Compelling conservatism
Differentiating between extremist views which he condemned, and the conservative standpoint, Hussain said that conservative arguments are compelling.
“Conservative arguments have won elections in Egypt and in certain African countries,” he said, adding that the same right-wing, conservative view is also playing a major role in Europe and the United States.
He said that these opinions exist and they need to be heard.
“In a society where conservative groups are present, you cannot lock them out,” Hussain said.
Speaking about extremist groups, Hussain said they should be banned regardless of their religious affiliation but he said critics should also admit that most of the groups that did well politically in the Middle East were banned groups with militant wings.
“[Turkish Prime Minster Recep] Erdogan is very conservative, very right-wing but look what he has done for his country,” Talat said.
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“In a society where conservative groups are present, you cannot lock them out,” Hussain said. punch line
Indeed one of the very few sane voiced, nevertheless I disagree with him here.
@Kay Kay: Indeed one of the very few sane voices, nevertheless I disagree with him on this issue. AS
@Talha: Enlighten us then.
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Really? What is happening on all the channels during iftar time then? Media houses don't just have a right-"slant", but they are rotated right twice over
@silas and Kanwal
Spoken like true liberals and then you guys complaint why most pakistani called you guys liberal fascists LOL
And is he willing to agree with the policies of right wingers like Munawar Hussain who say a woman should not report rape if she doesn't have 4 witnesses? I'd rather smack him in the face then hear him out.
He says right wing needs to be heard. And then he gives the example of the right wing in Europe.
Will Talat Hussain be okay with the opinions of the right wing of Europe who ban burqas and minarets and want to throw immigrants out of their countries? Do these opinions also 'need to be heard'?
If no then he is a hypocrite like the rest of the media (and the majority of the country). If yes then he should not speak against their conservative policies and accept these bans.
Liberals and Conservatives or Left or right
This debate between these two sides is everywhere, but the problem begins when the one considers another eligible enough to be killed.
This is done by the right wingers in Pakistan. Right wingers and their sympathisers in Pakistan have by far ruled Pakistan compared to the left wingers.
Ironically, right wingers have helped mostly imperialists, but when these facts are discussed they call liberals traitors and CIA agents and earlier it was KGB agents.
I think right wingers have become pathological liars, they do not even know when the are telling lies.
Jourlism is not liberal in Pakistan actually it is not free.
Let take the Judicary fight it was a fight between two segment of establishment it was bought on the road in upper Punjab but media made it look like all Pakistan movement. PPP was drag into in by Atizaz because of his myopic view.
BB speech in front of CJ house is repeatedly showen my media but what BB said about CJ in Dubai is not showen all
Look at talk show most of participant are from GT Road and view of people are complete ingore. let ask Talat bhai how many time he invited, hindu, sikh, Ahmedi, Ismaili,, or just any one who is out of area of GT Road. let Talat do some satiscal anaylisis . and let us know.
@NK: And one more thing wat u have said about the maulvi it shows the tiny limit of ur understanding about Pakistani Tv coz there is not even 1 percent of Those programs where there has to be a maulvi present in it. The problem is with people like u that u have got a desease called ISLAMOPHOBIA get out of it and open ur mind and eyes.
@NK: I simply don understand what on earth is wrong if a guy comes on TV in pakistan n accepts Islam?? What exctly is wrong here the same thing is happening on daily bases in India and every part of the world thr is like Ten's of islamic channels who show people from other faiths converts to Islam so wat is wrong with it?? Has it become a sign of libral to b anti muslim?? WTH.
@not-an-indian: Conservatives are down right uneducated? What an ignorant presumption ! Definition: Conservatism (Latin: conservare, "to retain") is a political and social philosophy that promotes retaining traditional institutions and supports, at most, minimal and gradual change in society. A person who follows the philosophies of conservatism is referred to as a traditionalist or conservative.
Of course, from an 'Ultra-rightist' perspective, the Pakistani media would certainly seem to be 'supra-liberal'.
As far as political leanings of PM Erdogan are concerned, here is another take on it ... http://dawn.com/2012/07/29/kemalism-after-nine-decades/
One would surely like to have some more information from Mr. Hussain on what basis he determines that PM Erdogan is "... is very conservative, very right-wing ...". If someone could post a link as to what PM Erdogan himself says on the issue, it would be of great benefit to the readers.
it seems liberals are the new extremists.. :P
I don't know or care if Talat Hussian is 'liberal' or 'conservative' by the shallow definition of these concepts in Pakistan, but I respect his views because it is obvious that he has read and thought about issues that most Pakistani people, even in the media, understand at a very superficial level. Most liberal, even though seemingly mostly educated, have not taken time to take to read, and a broader and sympathetic view of issues. Conservatives are mostly, rather unfortunately, downright uneducated about modern issues. Pakistan is at a critical point and it needs people who think deeply about issues that confront us.
A a responsible journalist, Talat Hussain should not have said that because this is clearly wrong.
Pakistan is no turkey and never will be. Talking of red organ being ultra conservative what e and his party did and are doing none in Pakistan can ever do or achieve. In Pakistan right wing is also as big a mafia as liberals if not bigger
Agreed with Talat. That is quite a realistic analysis, unless you really have a knack for fault finding and cynicism.
If Mr. Talat Hussain's argument is not entirely wrong, it's not entirely correct either. I would respectfully request Mr. Talat to highlight the Pakistani Media's take on the 40,000 casualties of innocent people at the hands of Taliban and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan? Has Media adequately informed the public in realizing the terror of such groups against innocent citizens and law enforcing agencies? What is the Media's take on Mr. Salman Taseer's murder? Has Media ever highlighted the fate of District Judge who indicted Mumtaz Qadri? That poor judge had to take refuge in some foreign country while the media was only highlighting Qadri and publishing his garlanded pictures. If that's what supra-liberal media means for Mr. Talat Hussain then it could only be his personal opinion not an objective reality.
Turkish Prime Minster Recep Erdogan maybe right-wing but he is no lunatic bent on destroying minorities
He is simply confused!
Just after the Mumbai terror attacks, Talat Hussain ran a special one hour TV analysis, where he pitifully tried to deny Pakistani involvement. His arguments were that no Pakistani can have "Kasab" as a name and that the dry fruits and nuts found on the terrorists are made in Iran. He was also one of many promoting the Establishment's cause in the Kerry Lugar Bill. Just this week I watched Moeed Pirzada, known as a moderate anchor of Sochta Pakistan talk show. It was pathetic to watch him bring up Gujrat incidence in India repeatedly and trying to link it with the current situation in Burma with his own twists. We also see Dr. Sahid Masood, another prominent talk show host conspicuously present at the Maya Khan live telecast of religious conversion. For Talat Hussain to say Pakistani Media is super liberal.......... what can you say !!!!!!!!
Yes there are some intellectuals like Hassan Nisar and Saleem Safi but they are vastly outnumbered by others.
@Umar: Probably he is going to join Express Media group after leaving Dawn. These anchors are switching channels like corporate world... Anyway he is the best of the whole lot.
“In a society where conservative groups are present, you cannot lock them out,” Blimme Talat? We should lock them in the jails where they belong. I am not rue about other societies but in Pakistan, there certainly is a very idiotically and fanatically conservative faction which needs to be heard properly so we could actually lock them in the jails! No one in their right mind would try to make the likes of Munawar Hasan a strong part of this society? And would you say the same for the religious minorities too Mr Talat Husain? do you think this conservative group ever did anything for these minorities than staying silent on their blatant persecution? Would you hear the conservative Shias and Ahmadis and Christians? Long shot....
Talat, please name one Urdu newspaper with circulation over 10,000 that you would classify as liberal. Thanks.
What is "supra"-liberal?? Does he mean "super"-liberal? Supra-liberal would mean above or beyond liberal... Is he saying Pakistani media is postmodern?
I have heard that he is going to join Express News...
Is it true?
In Muslim countries, a simple call for secularism is indeed considered supra liberal
talat is joining express group... if he does i will be glad because talat is an unbiased and sensible journalist
Liberals brain screws need to be tightened
@Imran: lol did he hurt you ?
One of the few sane voices in Pakistani media.
Urdu print media is almost completely under the domain of right-wing opinions.
No doubt Talat Hussain thinks he is the only journalist worth listening to left in the whole of Pakistan. That is as likely as elephants flying!
Yea! right ... you are part of it so trying to defend for own image ... the worst are among us
ET is always crying about right wingers
Agreed with Talat
Totally agreed.
The problem with the Pakistani media is not that they are right-wing or left-wing, it is that they are largely ignorant and incapable of sensible analysis. What passes for news in Pakistan would not be fit to print in most parts of the world. The media's reporting on any major issue, whether political, economic or diplomatic is far too basic and lacks substance. My personal experience with most "reporters" and "anchors" in Pakistan is that they lack the ability to understand even the most basic of issues in any detail, generally fail to report facts accurately, and are completely incapable of researching anything. Until this changes, the media will remain nothing more than a rumour generating waste of time.
Brilliant once again Talat, that what so called liberals donot understand :)