Media role in Indo-Pakistan relations

ARTI BALI: Foundation of Media Professionals organizing a panel on “Is Media Jingoism fanning India-Pakistan tensions” attended by Pakistani and Indian personalities from various fields did a timely service to the cause of this region comprising the sub-continent. The journalists were unanimously of the view that any jingoistic media coverage that tends to unduly highlight the dark spots with regard to internal security/stability of either of the countries is actually fanning tensions in their relations when the international community is seriously engaged in eradicating Taliban menace in Afghanistan-Pakistan region. Especially since after the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack emanating from Pakistani soil,the relations between the two countries continue to be acutely tense.Starting with Pakistan’s denial of any involvement by its national,even after one terrorist Ajmal Kasab captured in the operations by the NSG at the Taj Hotel explicitly admitted to be Pakistani national giving full details regarding his place of birth and parentage. The flip-flop approach adopted by Pakistan authorities that hindered investigations and remedial action at their end later snow-balled in an inappropriate media coverage that sometimes degenerated into jingoistic flashes showing the country in pitiable conditions under Taliban onslaughts.Now the country is being repeatedly described as surrendering Swat valley to Sharia law while Pakistan authorities vehemently claiming the pact to be of a tactical nature to stem the tide of aggravating Taliban type violence. Repeatedly highlighting this predicament of Pakistani administration actually serves the cause of Taliban type outfits by showing them on the wining side. Now the electronic media intent on enhancing their TRPs repeatedly flashes such images with horror music and catchy and unnerving comments.Though being in race with rival media channels,such irresponsible coverage tends to jeopardize regional interests . Furthermore, strategic analysis by the US war officials engaged in dealing with Afghanistan-Pakistan region show a grim picture of the whole situation hinting that Pakistan may even disintegrate and cease to exist within a span of six months unless Pakistan authorities and army deal with Taliban’s in a meaningful way.Now such matters ought to be covered in a sober and sensible manner.