Saving Pakistan, one tweet at a time

[Solomon2]

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Agree with the article except for the "elected" part. We didn't elect Zia-ul-Haq.

Edit: Just read the article and disagree 100% with it.

That's it? That's all you have to say? Even al-Ghazali would have pointed out that your example concedes the author's argument, for you only offer judgment, not criticism!

[truthseer]

Well, I can't find the video right now but ARY News covered MQM's 90 from inside where they have a complete Media Cell that monitors each and every channel on air. Now you are smart enough to know why they have that...

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
I think I found some proof

today it boasts of a well-established party network using modern technologies such as the internet, mobile telephony, and e-mail.

MQM has also been successful in making a significant presence on the social media such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter and it believes that the importance of the Internet in reaching out to opinion-making audience cannot be neglected, the statement added.

Karachi Tanzimi Committee, also popularly known as the KTC embarked upon a plan to increase the penetration of the Internet among its workers and supporters.

Fourteen seminars have so far been held under the ‘Cyber Revolution’ programme and thirteen more will be held in the coming days in the remaining sectors of Karachi.

What, do you demand everyone live life drugged on a media-induced high? Go to The Matrix, man!

There is a vast difference between being continually pessimistic and living on a media-induced high. I am sure you are aware of this fact

[Solomon2]

There is a vast difference between being continually pessimistic and living on a media-induced high. I am sure you are aware of this fact

That's not the issue. The issue is that airmarshal demanded that media be controlled so it's always upbeat and never pessimistic.

Let's mirror another comment in the article thread, this one by Mirza:

I agree with the author 100%. If it were not the Net and social media I would never be able to participate in the debate. In fact there would have been no debate at all. The biggest hurdle in our progress is fanatic and totalitarian mindset of many people. Their attitude is my way or the highway. Generation after generation we are raised without any healthy debate on most critical issues that the country is facing. I have been called CIA agent, Indian, non Muslim, and everything except a patriotic democratic Pakistani.

One day in Pakistan I was surrounded by many who were complaining about the lies regarding WMD in Iraq. I asked them a question that if Pakistani army and police would have occupied Iraq how many WMD they would have recovered by now? Many of them went speechless. They had to admit that the US army did not plant any WMD and did not even try to lie about that.

The politicians and some in the media are a different case but the army in the US does not lie to its own people or make stories on the official level. I am not saying that they are all angels but there are many people who would not tell lies and the truth would come out like Abu Gharib that came out because of a US soldier. How much truth has come out about atrocities in E. Pakistan or presence of OBL in the army base? This is all lack of open and honest debate.

[truthseer]

That's not the issue. The issue is that airmarshal demanded that media be controlled so it's always upbeat and never pessimistic.

Let us verify this claim of yours:

I hate this author. He is a big a$$hole. Read all his articles and you will reach the same conclusion. Very despondent and pessimistic...media should be free. But it should be strictly regulated -

He hates the author. Then, he advises us to read all his article and expects us to reach the same conclusion. Then calls him pessimistic. He then says Media should be free but controlled.

I fail to see where he asks for the media to always be upbeat. I guess this is a level of comprehension only you can reach

[Solomon2]

An opinion seconded by "Hegdefunder"

Pakistan lost any sincere reporting and openess during and after loss of East Pakistan, as they went into an mode of denials and concoctions to suit whoever was in charge, furthermore Zia arrival was the final nail in the coffin for freedom of expression, as he decided to move towards his Saudi master’s policy...Pakistan has never had any Political Leadership whose principal interests have been for the Nation, but sadly for Party, politics and personal only, hence the state of the Nation.
Its too late to make amends and even if they tried, it will take not years but decades to undo what is in place today.

[truthseer]

An opinion seconded by "Hegdefunder"

Pakistan lost any sincere reporting and openess during and after loss of East Pakistan, as they went into an mode of denials and concoctions to suit whoever was in charge, furthermore Zia arrival was the final nail in the coffin for freedom of expression, as he decided to move towards his Saudi master’s policy...Pakistan has never had any Political Leadership whose principal interests have been for the Nation, but sadly for Party, politics and personal only, hence the state of the Nation.
Its too late to make amends and even if they tried, it will take not years but decades to undo what is in place today.

An opinion held by a majority of people does not necessarily make it true.

[airmarshal]

That's not the issue. The issue is that airmarshal demanded that media be controlled so it's always upbeat and never pessimistic.[/B][/COLOR][/INDENT]

I never said it or I did not mean it to convey it this way. Media regulation means to me is controlling flow of information such that it builds the right perception. In the west, where most voices are raised for 'freedom', the media is highly regulated. Just watch CNN, NBC and other American channels and they completely tow their govt line especially in foreign policy. I would not like to see it.

What I understand by media regulation is that it should promote local culture, language and values. Right now, the way electronic media is, its more 'awaara' than free.

Just a few examples. Maya Khan, who was running after people in parks to find out if they were on date. Her actions were denounced across the country. She should not have been hired by another channel, but here she is again! Did you see the blanket coverage of Rajesh Khana's death? What exactly did he do for Pakistan to command such attention from the media? Also, the non-serious attitude of news reporting by playing a song behind every other report needs to be controlled or banned, if you will.

Electronic media is a very sensitive topic. It can bring positive change in the outlook of the country and bring innumerable dividends of information to the population.

[batmannow]

Being a Musharaf supporter you should know that he regrets his decision to free media. Go and watch on the internet his interview with Nadia Khan.



I would have loved to see you support Musharaf if Affia Siddiqui was your sister.

Well dear genius!
I am not musharaf , supporter but its the truth, even he regrets now?
But his dececion to to takeout his uniform, & give full flaged democrazy to pakistan, were the crucial points for me to stop supporting him!
Well if had a sister like , afia I should hve killed her for dumping her lawfull husband , & living with a terrorsit without , a proper nikha & for endangering the lives of her iNnocent childrens, & innocent pakistanis?
Anything else , genius?

[Solomon2]

I never said it or I did not mean it to convey it this way. Media regulation means to me is controlling flow of information such that it builds the right perception.

Shades of George Orwell's 1984!

In the west, where most voices are raised for 'freedom', the media is highly regulated. Just watch CNN, NBC and other American channels and they completely tow their govt line especially in foreign policy.

U.S. mainstream media is increasingly partisan, not regulated. CNN and NBC may toe the Obama Administration line but FOX news does not, for example.

What I understand by media regulation is that it should promote local culture, language and values.

Meaning you want YOU (or a like-minded Pakistani government) to choose the values that can be expressed by others.

If you control the values, you also dictate the system of ethics. In a Muslim country that means you can essentially control the entire religion.

Just a few examples. Maya Khan, who was running after people in parks to find out if they were on date. Her actions were denounced across the country. She should not have been hired by another channel, but -

That's just the sort of debate one needs, airmarshal. How can you live in Toronto and not know this?

[A.Rafay]

Haider Abbas Rizvi said it on a program on Dawn TV. The program with that bald guy (forgot his name). I'll try and find a video.

Isn't this guy called haider abbas rizvi from PPP

PTI trolls!!!!

FYI, MQM has a fulltime 8000 member strong cyber team on the internet spreading MQM propaganda.

8000 members for propaganda lol
even talibans and alqaida combined dont have this much BTW MQM is the second Party In the list of "Terrorist Organization"

[batmannow]

Isn't this guy called haider abbas rizvi from PPP



8000 members for propaganda lol
even talibans and alqaida combined dont have this much BTW MQM is the second Party In the list of "Terrorist Organization"

Which wasn't been really called a terrorist organization officialy & with BLA getting support from US congress , there is no chance of it?
These all are different preasure tOols , from which political powers bieng rulled by USA, with its strong media arm?

[Mani2020]

And what this whole article was for?

was he trying to promote facebook or twitter, got paid

Or the media which has nothing to spread but rumors and negativity, If it would have been in media's hand solely they would make it sure to engulf the whole society with paranoia

He should be invited to pdf to see intellectualism, he can also witness that over interactions most of the time result into trolling

[airmarshal]

And what this whole article was for?

was he trying to promote facebook or twitter, got paid

Or the media which has nothing to spread but rumors and negativity, If it would have been in media's hand solely they would make it sure to engulf the whole society with paranoia

He should be invited to pdf to see intellectualism, he can also witness that over interactions most of the time result into trolling

This author is always promoting anti-Pakistan, anti-army sentiment like our 'liberal' luminaries Asma Jahangir, Najam Sethi and their types.

[Solomon2]

^^^^
The glorious "airmarshal" turned tail and used his afterburner to flee the battle!

[p(-)0ENiX]

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I will agree that people need a place to discuss their thoughts & ideas free from harmful repercussions. This is crucial to incite creativity, innovation, & generate new ideas. The Romans had the public baths as a place to meet up & socialize, we have our social networks including forums like PDF. The problem is that there is little encouragement to debate or present ideas openly on sensitive issues like religion without endangering lives.

This mindset has to do with a people's upbringing, religion is usually shoved down people's throats. Children & even adults are told to accept it as it is. When people are taught to accept things as they are, they hinder new thoughts & ideas that contribute to the productive evolution of a society. How do we solve this problem? That's a tough question, & the solution is likely to be tougher to implement. In my opinion, changing culture & social norms is among some of the most difficult tasks that may be accomplished.

The solution may be formulated via education, creativity has to be encouraged, & a culture that promotes progress must be brought about in schools, colleges, & universities. A number of values need to be instilled in our society. Values that permit difference of opinion without resentment. Resentment by the society at large discourages individuals from speaking up & presenting their views. People must be taught to think independently instead of relying on others to do the thinking for them. To think independently; reading & socializing is crucial, & to accomplish that; the elimination of illiteracy is crucial.

Social networking has always been popular in Pakistan as far as I can remember. All that matters is how individuals use it. For example, you could use a bat to play cricket or break someone's leg. It's the same when it comes to technology, all that needs to be encouraged is proper use of it. Banning Facebook or Twitter, even temporarily is nothing short of idiocy. I must add that Pakistan isn't as backward as this article makes it out to be. People do get to share their thoughts & ideas. What's more important is a medium to communicate those ideas to those with the authority to implement them & bring about a change. That is something I believe is still missing in Pakistan to an extent.