Sangi سهيل سانگي: March 2009

Point of no return

THE confrontation between the two major political parties of the country which began in February seems to have reached a point of no return. As a last bid to foster reconciliation, the allies of the government held talks with the PML-N leadership. But the PML-N is adamant about having its demands met without softening its stance. Likewise, the government is not willing to accept these demands and thus there are indications of a further deepening of the crisis. The prob- lem is that if this crisis is not averted it will prove to be detrimental to democracy.
This is what is haunting the wise in the country. History is witness to the fact that whenever such situa- tions arise they not only result in a loss to one party but to all. That is why dia- logue should take place and de- mands should be changed ac- cordingly.
Whenever the government has been at fault regarding the PMLN, it has been criticised. Thus the PML-N should be more compro- mising. The tone of the Sharif brothers is extremely hostile and they seem set on taking on the government.
Holding public meetings and targeting one personality, the PML-N seems to have discarded the option of dialogue. The rul- ing coalition had indicated that it wanted to talk to the PML-N leadership, which meant that the government wanted to resolve the issue. But the PML-N leadership was not in a compromising mood….
The forces that are opting for confrontation should focus on the fact that such quarrels have kept civilian leaders out of the country for 10 years. Not only did they suffer in exile but the people were also deprived of democracy.
If there had been a democrat ic government in the country for these 10 years, the people of the country would not have to bear the brunt of the policies and actions of a dictator. The political leadership, whether in or out of power, should think of the loss the country incurs when non-democratic forces assume power and this thought, we hope, will make them soften its stance.
Ten years back the situation was quite different. The internal and external situation of today demands that political forces should avoid confrontation. The nation wants reconciliation because confrontation will weaken the country. — (March 06) ¦ Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi

Labels: PMLN-PPP, Sangi

Media and Politics

Ibrat

Relationship between the media and the political sphere is very deep as well as old. A strong thought exists that how the media should work in the service of democracy, while rulers have always tried to use media to achieve their political goal and personal interests. With the development of all social and applied sciences this branch of science also grew and its uses also changed with the passage of time. What we see the role, shape and affectivity of the media today it had never been before. Its effectiveness is also great, which have never been in the history earlier. This affectivity has roots in technological revolution as well as other social and applied sciences development.

Now politics has become impossible without media, as the media has important role to play in running the government affairs. The media try to explain the government's goals and policies, helping to mobilize and reinforce public support necessary for effective political action. In reporting on politics, the media help select the issues that are to receive public attention and help shape the public agenda.

In today’s world with the help of media it has become easy to prove truth as lie and vice versa. Political parties are aware about it. Therefore they had got expertise in using mass media in their interests.

Electronic media and private TV channels are new phenomena in Pakistan... In a very short period the weaknesses of electronic media have been exposed. The major weakness is the uses and misuses by the political parties. We have seen electronic media had given undue importance to some issues. Some times they had buried the real issues and did not receive any mention whatsoever. A section of electronic media had been indulged in this practice.

It has been observed, if any event or political decision is not reported in the media, that means it had not taken place. It is surprising that importance and very existence of events and decisions depends on media. If some one is not in media means he does not exist in the world.
The electronic media presented crisis cropped up after disqualification of Sharif Brothers ten times larger than its original size. So much so with over playing the Sharifs disqualification all the other issues went down the drain and were buried. Live coverage of protests created a perception as if protests have broken out all over the country. Its size, scale and affectivity were presented larger than life.

President Asif Ali Zardari pointed out, PML-N was playing a media game and the media should stop this game.

There are number of political parties which are alive only in media or through media, otherwise, they have little existence in society. They issue statements to media and try to affect the crisis. In fact, such political parties do not represent a sizeable section of society would not live longer but for time being are complicating the situation….

This power of media can be used in constructive manner. The media can play an important role while highlighting the real issues to finding their solutions. This would restrain politicians from misuse of media but would also develop pressure on politicians to pay due attention to these real issue. It is media that can check and criticize this negative role of media. - (March 1)

Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi

Labels: Media, Politics, Sangi