The presence and role of media in a democratic society are essential for an environment that is conducive to objectivity while sharing information. This role comes with the responsibility of gatekeeping which has become more challenging in the current age of electronic media and now the new media.
The case of electronic news media in Pakistan is peculiar, unfiltered, and often unethical. Apart from delivering news, talkshows are the main source of not just information but also entertainment on various topics and issues concerning the country. The segment of talk shows makes up of about more than half of the airtime. Pakistan is a hotbed of political happenings, hence the basic topic of every talk show revolves around political discussion and some aspect of the policy under the ruling government.
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Politics: One word with many meanings
According to a Gallup Pakistan survey, ‘politics’ remains one of the most discussed content all year round but fails to generate meaningful discourse for the audience. Instead, emotions and party loyalties are demonstrated through shouting, name-calling, punching, and sometimes the open challenge to a fight where the guest arrives to face the other guest off at the studio. But for those allowing such incidents or theatrics fail to fulfill their roles as gatekeepers of journalism.
Ratings for a channel matter to the owners, which generally spike after such unpleasant moments are aired and later circulated on social media sites. The trend however begs the question- are talk shows merely reduced to garner political and individual point-scoring or provide the audience the insight needed to form opinions and generate a healthy discourse amongst the masses?
Here, it is important to understand the overall lack of media literacy in Pakistan which enables the general public to fall victim to the narratives and actions being aired, particularly on prime talk shows. The message of any indecent act committed by the guest on the talk show or by the host/ journalist is that one cannot discuss politics while being civil and “agreeing to disagree” with others. Such discussions often end in pointless debates where the consuming end is left confused between facts and opinions and political differences.
The overpowering role of the anchors posing as experienced journalists often let their political biases form the tone of the show, which ultimately crafts and conducts what is being published to the masses, as a result, they determine what is to become the public’s social reality and their views regarding an issue. The theory of gatekeeping does not necessarily apply to just the news but extends greatly into the area of talk shows where news and its political aspects are to be analyzed.
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As a gatekeeper of the information, it is the duty of the host or the journalist to apply this filter not only on themselves but also to maintain it through the questions and the conduct of the guests. Print news media in this aspect has an extra edge, as the information or the news passes through the editors before being published but time and airtime are the currency in the electronic media where prime talk shows are the buck-making slots.
Since the media fails to apply self-regulated rules of gatekeeping upon itself, numerous laws by the government in response to licentious incidents on talk shows are imposed on the media but are seldom regarded. Media regulation in Pakistan has become an act that is considered an attempt to curb media freedom in the country. Whereas the opposite of what may be true given the frequency of uncivil incidents being aired on prime talk shows.
Looking into the matter further
This imbalance causes an information void for the audience where the media nor those representing the government or other party officials can get their point across on which the audience can make responsible and informed decisions or opinions about issues. The reflection of the connection in talk shows is evident when the general masses support individuals based solely on their political affiliations rather than performance.
This is when theatrics overpower journalistic ethos, undermining the role of the media in promoting democracy in a country. This role is fundamental for the prevalence of democratic and political understanding among the public. Talk shows provide the platform for experts and officials to discuss issues for the sake of the public and leave room for further discourse. This unfortunately is not the case with most talk shows in Pakistan. Most of the talk shows are framed in a manner that escalates into heated debates.
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This takes away the rights of the citizens to an objective media that functions on building what they consider as their reality and ultimately shapes the political setup of the country. Unless the culture and tones of those framing the news and talk show change, there be no end to the indecency displayed on our national channels, in parliament, and back on the streets. This is perhaps the key lesson in the age of information where narratives and statements prepare the larger ground realities.
The writer is an independent media and foreign policy analyst. She tweets @MsAishaK. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.