GOING ASTRAY

Allen Ginsberg says, “Whoever controls the media, the images, controls the culture.”

It is an absolute truth that media has control over society; they make people think through their programs. They have the power to form, change or destroy the culture of a nation. But every nation has some moral and ethical values which are reflected through their media. It is the duty of media to follow these ethics so that the nation may be lead according to their ethics. The major entertainment TV provides is from the drama serial they show which are basically presented to highlight the issues general people face in daily life. They are recorded plays in which actors mesmerize themselves in the character and acts according to the story provided.
Most of the dramas shown in Pakistan are adapted stories of prominent novels by Umaira Ahmed, Razia Butt etc. The novel based stories happen to be most successful in collecting fame from all around the country. There are some popular TV channels which provide a great deal of entertainment day and night. Serials shown on these channels receive great appreciation. Among them are Geo TV, ARY Digital and Hum TV.

HUM TELEVISION:
Hum TV is a 24-hour Pakistani entertainment TV channel based in Karachi and this first brand of Eye Television Network Limited, Pakistan, began its transmission on January 17, 2005. Hum TV is available in many countries mostly, via satellite, some times via cable; the channel is available in parts of Middle East, Africa and all of Asia but not in Europe. The channel is currently broadcasting on PAS-10 (Panam Sat) on Frequency: 3774 H S/R: 3300 FEC: 3/4. In March 2010, Hum TV officially launched in North America is available exclusively on Dish Network.
Currently Hum TV is presenting a drama serial named ‘Vasl’ which means ‘Union ’. The topic of the drama orbits around a woman ‘Hina ’(Aysha Kahn) who is a mother of two children got divorced because she comes from a typical Pakistani family and is traditional whereas her husband ‘Hashim’(Adnan Siddqui) wanted a modern wife. However, she got married again with a person who is extremely nice to her but unfortunately is not capable of bearing any child. Her second husband ‘Salman’ (Faisal Rehman) revealed this after marriage which in turn created misunderstanding to her that he is homosexual. The issue somehow is resolved in the current episodes of the serial but the question arises do these kind of subjects be shown in our dramas?? The real topic of the serial has no link with it therefore it was unnecessary to show such kind of focus. The term used for homosexuals was ‘gay’ in the serial which is not a respected word. The other thing which showed the autonomy our Pakistani dramas posses was the character ‘Hina’ wanted to meet her children from her previous marriage but she got pregnant and her husband won’t let her meet because he does not want any stress for her wife. Their clear discussions about the situation were very much strange for the person who is watching it. The other character ‘Marina’ (Juggan Kazim) is having problems in her married life because she wants to do a job and is not ready to become a mother whereas her husband is pressurizing her for this. The character marina is having arguments with her husband all the time and clearly saying that I can’t give birth to a child at this stage of my career. The straight forward and blunt speaking of her to give birth is pretty embarrassing for a person who is watching it with mother and young children. When ALLAH AL mighty has ordered to cover these issues then why is our media showing it so openly at screen? To make these issues the elegance of our television in such a manner is clear violation of Muslim ethics and values.
The same channel is screening another drama serial named ‘Noor Bano’ which is written by Seema Ghazal. The drama rotates around an orphan woman ‘Noor Bano’ (Mahnoor Baloch) who is forcefully married to her cousin younger than her. The boy ‘Murash’ (Imran Abbas) is also not interested and thinks about Noor Bano as an elder sister but is alleged to marry her because his father promised his dyeing brother that he will take care of his only daughter for the whole life. However, the boy left Pakistan after the nikkah ceremony and never established any intimacy with his wife. There in New York, he fell in love with his classmate ‘Alvina’ (Tooba Siddiqui) and married her. When his mother got information of his second marriage she received a heart attack which became the reason of Murash and his wife’s arrival to Pakistan. His wife started loosing trust in him when she saw friendly relationships between Noor bano and him. The constant suspicions lead to quarrels between them and one day Alvina took her newly born daughter and left Pakistan ignoring countless pleas of her husband to stay. This lead his resentment towards Alvina and soft corner towards Noor Bano but his attraction towards his first wife was only physical. He wanted to establish a normal marriage with her which she rejected because she knew that he is not in love with her moreover his intentions towards her were only corporal. She demanded divorce which he refused to give her. But due to the pressure of his mother (Samina Ahmed) on him to begin intimacy with her and his bodily magnetism towards her made him cross all the limits of morality. The dialogues said by the mother for establishing intimacy throughout the serial were very much clear and the scene when Murash actually crossed his limits was too much obvious.
To show subjects beyond the ethics of our Islamic culture is not only destroying our young generation but actually changing their mindset. To think broadly is something else but to think ignoring the basic Muslim customs will leave us to go astray. The dialogues and body language of the character shows it all. In other dramas of the same channel actors are shown drinking alcohol which is again violation of our ethics. But still these dramas are appreciated and the channel is credited for producing such dramas that brought our viewers back from the Indian soaps.

GEO TELEVISION:
Another prestigious channel Geo TV (trademarked GEO TV) or Geo Television is a Pakistani television network founded by Mir Shakil ur Rehman in May 2002. Geo TV belongs to Independent Media Corporation, owner of the Jang Group of Newspapers. The channel started its test transmission on 14 August 2002, whereas regular transmission began from 1 October 2002.
The channel is showing a drama ‘Meri Zaat Zara -e- Benishan’ which is based on Umaira Ahmed’s novel with the same name. The story is about a woman who got divorced because she was accused of adultery by her mother in law (samina peerzada). The cause of popularity of the novel and drama is the concept of swearing by putting hand on Quran Sharif shown. The mother in law took false pledge on Quran Sharif and accused her daughter in law which is a dreadful sin. The drama further showed consequences she faced after getting her daughter in law divorced. To highlight such issues in dramas is a good step towards the nation but the character shouted ‘Zani’ on top of her lungs in the drama several times which is again something ahead of our principles.
The same channel is showing a drama ‘Bol Meri Machli’ which is another violation of our ethics. This drama serial revolves around the humble and honest Professor Waheed and the fate of his four daughters. From a humble, middle class background, Professor Waheed has always wanted the best for his daughters’ futures, and so encourages them to pursue careers in fields that interest them. Rabab, Sahab, Noreen and Maheen all try to follow their dreams; things however go drastically wrong for all of them when they step outside the security of their home into the big bad world that awaits them. A play that throws light on the harsh realities of today’s society, and talks about how difficult it is for a woman to step into the outside world without her reputation being tainted for life. But the dressing of the girl who is shown model (Tooba Siddiqui) in the drama defies our morals. She was a poor girl who in pursuit of his aim to become a model crossed her limits. She also goes to casino and bars which are shown in the drama. Our religion does not permit us to wear body revealing dresses or to go casinos and have alcohol. On the other hand her sister (Aysha Khan) is married to a man who is not counted in the respected persons of society and drinks alcohol. These kinds of stories must not be shown on television because it is a source of family entertainment and we have young people in our families who ask questions after seeing such things.

These dramas made me think are there no authorities to control or at least take action against those who present such dramas? And it occurred to me that we have something called PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) who regulates broadcast media of Pakistan for the audiences and viewers. It is clearly written in their directive that nothing against any religion or anything which is against the state or can create hatred among people will be screened neither obscene things are permitted to show on TV. It was also mentioned that media must show things that may educate, inform and entertain masses but what we are acquiring of dramas like Tanveer Fatima B.A or Noor Bano?? It is further declared that strict actions will be taken under section 20 of the PEMRA ordinance if these rules are violated. But we don’t see any actions taken by PEMRA there is a dire need for the concerned authorities to take steps against directors who make dramas based on unethical subjects and are responsible for the alterations in our culture.

A 57 year old Rubina Javed says “These kinds of drams must be shown to uncover the malicious face of our society.” But it is a matter of great concern that showing a man drinking alcohol or some poor woman crossed her limits to make money or to become a model is exceptional for our youth who watch TV. No it is not and same was the opinion of Mrs. Javed. Either these dramas must be age restricted or must not be made the grace of our TV screen.

The same channel is showing a bunch of drama serials who not only breach the Islamic cipher of life but also exaggerate the issues being discussed with their fetid language. Some names are Yeh Zindgi Hai, Yeh Kesi Muhabbat Hai and Tanveer Fatima B.A etc.

It is awfully bizarre that there are thousands of issues our people face daily and out of which only the subject of adultery, divorce, love triangles etc are painted on television screens. The problem of poverty, unemployment, issues of students, government injustice, health and environment issues, art and science etc always go neglected.

This trend has to be changed where people want entertainment based on their real issues of life and our programs are based on a woman accusing his husband of being homosexual. If any channel tries to show poverty they end up showing dramas like Yeh Zindgi Hai. The most important thing is that the channel presents them almost every day and in the peak times when children are watching T.V

Media has the charisma to make or distort people’s opinion so it has a great responsibility on its shoulders. But we don’t see media doing its job magnificently. A 55 year old Ahmed Sheikh says “Nowadays not a single TV channel is following what our Prophet (S.A.A.W) left us centuries back. The dramas shown in our time like Dhoop Kinare, Khuda Ki Basti, Waaris, Aangan Terah, An Kahi etc was entertainment. Any Drama shown in this era is not entertainment but nuisance.”

Another comment which made my attention diverted towards comedy serials was of a 30 year old Shehraz Khan who says “Our dramas are not even capable of illustrating good comedy. Dramas like Nadaniyan, Perfume chowk provides gibberish jokes.” Similarly, Shabana Nadeem in his late 40s says “Pakistani dramas has lost their charm, the subjects shown has deprived us to sit in the TV lounge with our family.” Mrs. Nadeem’s claim is very true that the children after seeing such things ask questions which are too mature for their age. They are loosing their innocence which is negative for our society.

60 to 70% of population is illiterate in Pakistan but has access to television and media is a dominant source through which we can tutor them about the right and wrong of the society or at least can enlighten stories about the crisis they are facing in such a way that interest them. But it seems as if media is not interested in doing so and is more fascinated by things like love affair stories or subjects of poor girls (who never looks poor) in dramas crossing their ethical edges to become rich. There are a lot of issues to discuss which meager in society dealing with. Islam teaches us the whole criteria of living a good life. But so bleak is the picture that our media never bother to show our religion through dramas. The deficient production of such dramas may be due to the lack of imagination or realization. But someone has to change the on going system and bring back the allure our dramas had in some 30 years back.

SCHEDULE OF DRAMAS:

HUM TV:

1) VASL every Saturday at 8pm
2) NOOR BANO every Friday at 8pm
3) PERFUME CHOWK Monday- Thursday at 10pm

GEO TV:

1) MERI ZAAT ZARA-E-BENISHAN every Saturday at 8pm
2) BOL MERI MACHLI every Friday at 8pm
3) NADANIYAAN every Sunday at 7pm
4) TANVEER FATIMA (B.A) Monday -Thursday at 10 pm
5) YEH ZINDAGI HAI every Sunday at 8pm
6) YEH KESI MUHABBAT HAI Monday – Wednesday at 9pm

CANAL OF EXAGGERATION

Media is an important source of information about not only the things going on with in your country but also of overseas. There are various theories which are applied by the channels with or without pressure on them. By pressure I mean theories like authoritarian, totalitarian or communist where people have no freedom of speech and media is controlled by the government. Definitely in such situation government does not allow media to give out what the truth is or what are the holes in their leadership. Pakistan has seen this kind of government a lot of times. These theories are usually functional in the dictatorship government and we have seen it in Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia ul Haq and Musharraf tenure. But now the trend has changed and we have democratic government in our state. Media has freedom of speech. But how is media performing its duty or what is the strategy of media to acquire its goals is the matter of concern here.

In the world it is observed that after a long period of suppression and brutality come revolution. Like we have seen in French, European and American Revolution where after authoritarian rule came libertarianism and after totalitarian ideas came social responsibility. In Pakistan we saw it in the regime of Pervez Musharraf when in 2002 he established PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) and gave freedom to media in real means. The first proper private news channel established was GEO NEWS in November 2005. It is a Karachi-based Pakistani news channel, fully owned and operated by Jang Group and has millions of Urdu-language viewers around the world.

There are dozens of discussion programs on current affairs presented by geo news which are not only popular but appreciated by loads of people. Among them are AAJ KAMRAN KHAN KAY SAATH, CAPITAL TALK, MERAY MUTABIQ and JAWAB DEH. Geo News is credited for bringing change in the concept of providing information to people on various subjects. Their programs have various flavors of discussion like Kamran Khan show presents analysis of daily happenings, capital talk highlights the most important issue of all with analysis presented by the host ( Hamid Mir) and take views of people ( MNA’s or MPA’s from different political parties are called as guests in the show) related to the issue being discussed. On the other hand Ifitikhar Ahmed of Jawab deh cross examines a single person related to an ongoing issue. These variations in the shows of geo were successful in receiving popularity and still the journalists of geo news are appreciated for their hard works. Many channels copied the programs of geo news.

Geo news has a lot of achievements on its recognition. A documentary by Geo covering water scarcity in the Indus river delta won “The Special Prize of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III” at the Monte Carlo TV Festival. The channel was also awarded a special award in 2005 at the Nouticaslo TV festival. On April 20, 2004 at the National Association of Broadcasters Convention in Las Vegas, Mir Ibrahim Rahman, chief executive of Geo TV, received an International Broadcast Excellence Award for the impact the channel has had on Pakistan. And on November 3, 2007 geo news and other channels were banned in Pakistan due to the imposition of emergency in the country by the then President Musharraf who was the one who gave freedom to media in 2002. But the channel did not accept any government offers though other channels already had and remain wedged to their mandate to tell the truth which was again appreciated by the people. The ban was lifted on 21st January, 2008.

Although geo is very much popular and had a lot of viewers all around Pakistan but the question here arises that what is the strategy or what theory geo news pertains? Apparently it seems as if geo follows libertarianism theory (where media has all the freedom, no regulations on media by the government) because it clearly point out flaws in leaderships either it is the matter of Swiss cases of president, police brutality, permission given by the Prime minister for issuance of thousands of prohibited and non prohibited weapons or any social issues like violence against women or patient died due to the negligence of doctor. But if the channel is observed closely it will occur that it has an agenda to exaggerate the situation with every possible way. The most important factor of Geo’s fame is the way they present news. Their mocking sentences used for the government or any song attached to the situation is very much appreciated by some people but some criticize the use of songs in news which is quite justified criticism. So, Geo has set an agenda to propagate the news in an exaggerating manner.

Agenda setting as defined in “Mass Media, Mass Culture” is the process whereby the mass media determine what we think and worry about. Walter Lippmann, a journalist first observed this function, in the 1920’s. Lippmann then pointed out that the media dominates over the creation of pictures in our head; he believed that the public reacts not to actual events but to the pictures in our head. Therefore, the agenda setting process is used to remodel all the events occurring in our environment, into a simpler model before we deal with it. By the definition it does not seem that setting an agenda is something wrong. In truth it really is not. Every channel has some agenda; wrong may be the agenda a channel sets.

Here may lay the most important effect of mass communication, its ability to mentally order and organize our world for us. In short, the mass media may not be successful in telling us what to think, but they are stunningly successful in telling us what to think about. So is the case with geo. Like what a person can acquire of Shoaib-Sania marriage subject? It was a news till the channel was telling that they are about to get married. But the channel actually embellished the news in such a manner that everyone who is interested or not knew that sania mirza was wearing her mother’s sari on her nikkah and so on. Even the hotel room in which they were suppose to stay in Lahore was also shown and after that when the couple got irritated with the media they didn’t come out the next morning to which our geo news adorned this news with an Indian song “hum tum ek kamray me band hon” which was embarrassing and humiliating for our state as geo is seen overseas also. The standard and elegance of news is destroyed by geo due to the addition of songs behind the news. Not only this was done with the couple but also their previous relationships were painted on this news channel which was again disgracing. They have no right to interfere in their personal lives even though they are celebrities. For weeks the channel’s lead story was the Shoaib Sania marriage. So, the channel was unbeaten in leading the thinking of people and the issue received great popularity and in the end of the day they say it was the demand of people. It was media who made people to think about them. Geo news started it and other channels followed the strategy. This lead to ignorance for other subjects like it happened when Dr. Israr Ahmed died. Geo was busy in propagating Shoab Sania news.

Apart from this anything shown on the channel which is depressing is presented in such a dramatic manner that the viewer can’t control his tears. They must be shown but not in a dramatic manner. Mostly women and children related issues are granted that kind of privilege. Or during the restoration of judiciary movement several issues related to people were ignored same happened before and after the 18th amendment. Many people due to the exaggerating attitude of geo are loosing interest in watching it. Moreover, sometimes the language ( headings of Kamran Khan show) used by the anchors is not respectable for the leadership, though we have lots of corruption in our country due to them but it is something beyond our Muslim values to do so.

To gain popularity must not be the only aim of a channel. By overstressing the issues you decline the standard of your news. Neither interfering in a celebrity’s person life will do any good to the channel nor must exaggerating Prime Minister’s unannounced meeting with the Chief Justice be the agenda of any news channel of Pakistan. Geo has become the canal of exaggeration. It must be stopped and Issues like inflation, unemployment and government injustices must be given the opportunity to be raised.

The edited world of animals

Hear me roar!

TO KNOW MYSELF

It seems as if the most difficult task is to identify your own good and bad qualities. But a person knows exactly what’s good and what’s bad in him. It’s just that people want to know what other people think of them. But it is not in my case.

Let me give you an interview of ME.

Q. Tell us about your early life?

A. I was born in Karachi, the second of my four sisters. Earliest memories involve my school life; they were the best ten years of my life. I did my matric from Ladybird Grammar School in 2005 the n inter from Govt. College for Women, Nazimabad.
Now doing my B.S in Mass Communication from Jinnah University for Women.

Q. So what inspired you to do Mass Communication?

A. Nothing, really I got ‘C’ in my intermediate despite of giving my best in papers, I was heartbroken and didn’t know what to do? So one of my friends from L.G.S encouraged me to give test in Jinnah and I got selected but now I am very mush interested in this field because I have some good ambitions which I can accomplish through this field.

Q. You said that you have some good ambitions, kindly highlight them?

A. Well, everybody have some ambitions in their lives. I really wanted to do something good actually revolutionary for my country. I want to be a writer and also want to make a patriotic movie for my country’s betterment. Aside from that I want to participate in social activities for whatever it is education, health or any women related issue.

Q. What are your two bad and good qualities?

A. Well I am very lazy and I have poor control on my temper but I am very friendly and loyal.

Q. What do you think about the future of Pakistan?

A. In the current circumstances one can’t exactly predict about the future of Pakistan. Our nation is very tough and has always suffered hardships. We have a great potential to fight back. So, I don’t think Pakistan will perish at any cost. But to bring revolution we must get united and do something great for our country.

EXCUSES

Our life has become so busy that we are always in search of some excuses to run away from our duties. A person no matter adult or immature look for explanations when they fail to do something they were meant to do. Believe it or not they have become a part of our life. The head of the family has countless responsibilities on his head that in the end of the day he closes up giving lame or genuine excuses for the toils he was suppose to do.

I was sick, my computer was malfunctioned and electricity failures are general excuses we students tend to give when we have not done our assignments on time. These excuses may be authentic or not but they exist. The teachers believe us sometimes but not all the time we are that lucky.

We all do mistakes and for that we give justifications and on that we get chances. But one must not give fake excuses due to his own laziness. We should try to avoid our lethargy and must not give phony reasons.

“An excuse must be given when it is needed in true sense”

ATROCIOUS NIGHTMARE

Everyone there was shouting and running. The entire area was disturbed due to the hustle and bustle of people around platform number 2 of Karachi cant railway station. The malfunctioned loudspeaker was buzzing that due to the erratic circumstances of the city all the departures for today are canceled, kindly receive your money back from counter number 1, 2 and 3.What happened inquired a middle aged man to the porter who in Punjabi replied pta nai jee kenday ne nass lo apne apne kaar (I don’t know but everyone is saying to run home). Me and my younger sister was all alone sitting at the seat opposite to the tuck shop and staring at people who were gathering their loved ones and luggage to leave as soon as possible. There in the middle of the racketing crowd I saw a blur yellow figure carrying a large snake in hands advancing towards our direction. We were scared to death and my sister started crying and hiding at my back. I screamed for help but no one listened or even bothered to look at us. It was like we weren’t present there. At that moment I didn’t care for my life the most important task for me was to save my sister. The poignant courage made me stood vigorously in front of my sister for whatever it takes. The person in yellow was just 5 feet away when I realized that it was a woman and the snake in her hand was crawling impatiently. I shrugged my discovery and made my shoulder stiff for a fight without any warnings. When she come a little more closer what I figured out was surprisingly overwhelming that she is my elder sister and the thing in her hand is not a snake but a PIPE. We both jumped and hugged her and inquired about our parents and the yellow fire brigade outfit she was wearing. She calmed us and revealed that Geo News has said that someone is trying to burn Karachi so she is here to rescue us.

I heard a woman shouting come on, hurry up its 12 pm and within seconds what I saw was the blur ceiling of my room. I got up and found my belongings scattered around me as usual. My head was pounding but the first thing I thought was WHAT? I am in no danger and that all was a DREAM! I shrugged the thought of fire and snakes and described each and every detail to my mom to which she said that’s just a dream so you must not think about it. She asked me to assist her with the packing because after two days we all relatives were leaving together by train for Lahore to attend a wedding.

We all were excited and everyone was checking their luggage for the final time. Loads of food was arranged mutton karai, pizza, fruits, drinks and snacks. It was like a picnic for us. Around 4 o’clock we left for the station and reached there around 5. It was the same old station made by the British and here we were at the platform number 2 waiting for the train to arrive. It was scheduled to leave at 6 pm from Karachi but there was no sign of the train so we started having a chit chat among us about the situation of the station and stuff. I dint feel for a second that something was going to happen, in fact I had forgotten my dream. Suddenly people around the station started whispering and some were heard saying that must be a rumor but others were complaining it happened before why can’t it happen again? Their arguments reminded me of my dream and I sensed something bad is coming. On the other hand my father and uncles were also seen thunderstruck. It all happened with in seconds people shouting and gathering their things. They were the same faces the same scene I saw in my dream but the only difference was I was with my family.

The same announcement was made but there was not my elder sister anywhere and I realized that she was not going to Lahore and was at home. My father cried to gather everyone and said Anam called saying that ARY News is reporting that Benazir Bhutto died in a bomb blast in Liaquat National Bagh, Rawalpindi. Yes it was 27th Dec, 2007 when demonstrators were widespread in Pakistan. Hundreds of people were seen protesting and destroying the peace of the city on our way back to home. They were setting cars and buses on fire to mourn for their leader. But with the grace of Almighty we all were successful to reach at my aunt’s place which was the nearest. We stayed there for a week or so due to the circumstances as my aunt’s house is near BILAWAL HOUSE so in that area riots were at their peak.

Sometimes it is not difficult to understand the dreams but it is difficult to interpret the exact meaning behind them. As Gail Godwin has said, “Dreams say what they mean, but they don’t say it in daytime language.”

Sensational Seasons