Our collective perception is a function of electronic and social media
Our viewpoints are formed on the basis of coverage of violent incidents, their projection and presentation on a daily basis
The influence of such telecasts on the viewers vary over a wide spectrum depending on their education level, nature of understanding, duration of violence transmission and its frequency of repetition
Strengthening the rule of law and establishing the writ of the state cannot be accomplished if the media keeps televising violence regularly with negative connotations
It also promotes extremist tendencies and goads innocent minds towards violence and terror
Since the most important thing in establishing security within a region relies on developing a sense of safety among the people, therefore violence or terror should be televised in a manner that explores the positive aspect of the incident too
The recent attack on the Islamabad High Court (IHC) by members of the lawyer community was telecasted in a way which sent a negative message to ordinary people
It indicates that assaulting the office of the IHC Chief Justice is a possibility for anyone
The ransacked offices point towards three important aspects of the rule of law and its social perception in the country
First, it shows that one can go to any extent including raiding the office of the head of a constitutional entity
This ossifies the idea that such action is within the bounds of an individual, a group, pro-state actors or a mob in the country
Second, it indicates the fragility of the local security apparatus to tackle the situation in a timely and effective manner
The police’s response seems to be tampered by circumspection and tactfulness as they foresee an awkward situation for themselves in case they participate with alacrity without institutional support
Third, it establishes a strong statement that an illegal act cannot be undone by a legal procedure as the accused start raising their voices against the action with wrong allusions and references
Interestingly, this is not the first incident of its kind as the electronic and social media have been relaying videos which dampen spirits and pollute people’s minds
This does not mean that we should restrict media coverage of an incident, however a positive angle of violence may be kept in mind during transmission
For example, the assault on the IHC CJ office should have been covered with handcuffed assailants in police custody, which would uphold the perception of the rule of law
Similarly, instead of capturing blown up pieces of cars or human remains in a terrorist incident, the media should depict effectiveness of local security in curtailing and reducing the intensity and impact of terrorism
Moreover, officials of LEAs who come on media in describing the incident should do so with a positive depiction of the local security apparatus
In many terror incidents, the media’s display of LEAs is marked by uncertainty and ambiguity, thus strengthening a sense of fear and insecurity among people
We live in an integrated digital environment where the concept of privacy has slowly shifted from the private to the public domain
Though every violent incident cannot be censored, these events can be televised in a constructive manner
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued comprehensive guidelines which encompass all aspects of televising a terror or violent incident
It also emphasises on the training of anchors and media staff for sensitisation
Every citizen has a right to know what is happening in the country but social and electronic media have the monopoly of control over people’s perception in a way which may produce positivity or negativity in the hearts and minds of people
Therefore, the strength of positive perception is the basis of security, cohesion and unity of a country
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2021
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| Date: | 23-Feb-2021 | Reference: | View Original Link |
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