By: Ashique Hussain Saand Outline 1. Introduction 2. Types of media A. Printing media B. Electronic media 3. Functions of media A. Source of news, information and entertainment B. Ease the process of Democracy C. Promoting transparency D. Bring awareness E. Socio-economic uplifit 4. Role of media in our society A. Positive role i. Paved the way to democracy ii. Public awareness iii. Promoting education iv. Islamic channels B. Negative role of media i. Over commercialism ii. Yellow journalism/sensationalism iii. Circulation war/ circulation race iv. Biased talk shows v. Westernization 5. Remedies to improve role of media in our society A. Responsible journalism B. Respect for the privacy of every citizen C. Avoid vulgar or inciting writings or shows D. No communal writings or shows 6. Conclusion Essay, Media, a source of flow of information, plays a multifold role in our society. It is considered as “fourth pillar of any state”. Moreover, it is significant tool of modern society and it has, in today’s world, has become as important as food and clothing. Furthermore, it plays crucial role in bringing news, information and awareness to the people. Along with these functions media is working for promoting education. However, like science, media is also deteriorated by media organizers to achieve their vested interests. Yellow journalism, over-commercialism, circulation war , biased shows or other unethical activities have tarnished its name and fame. Media organizers are supposed to oblige its ethics in order to guarantee its positive role in our society. Mass media have divided into printing media and electronic media. Printing media includes books, newspapers and magazines. Newspaper, introduced in 1605, received much value though electronic media was ruling that time. Newspapers contains news, information and advertisement printed on low cast paper called newsprint. It is most often published daily or weekly. Moreover magazines are periodical publication, containing a variety of articles and advertisement, generally financed by advertising or purchase by readers. Magazines are published weekly, biweekly, monthly, bimonthly. Though, printing media had influenced society up to a very extent but introduction of electronic media revaluated the society. Electronic media comprises of broadcasting media, internet and mobile phones. Moreover broadcasting media includes radio and television. If the broadcasting is done through internet it is called webcasting. Internet, network of networks, is worldwide easily accessible and acceptable source of mass media. Mobile phones were introduced in 1979 in Japan, became mass media in 1998. Mobile phones are also one of the reliable sources of mass media. Furthermore, Mass media is reviewed as a real champion of any society. That is why, this champion of the society is entitled with certain task to perform. Firstly, media is considered as a source of provision of news, information and entertainment. It is only through media, a man comes to know who is doing what and what is happening. As a source of entertainment media is accepted by all segments of the society. Secondly, media helps in the process of democracy. Media is considered as fundamental to political life. It provides facts about parliament proceedings and various policies that are to be made and implemented. It also provides reports to ensure that policy makers are always held accountable. Thirdly, media has promoted its vital role in promoting transparency and accountability. Whether its scrutiny of performance of the government and unearthing corruption. Media ensures public interests. That is the reason media is always pronounced as Opposition party. Fourthly, media itself is a self evident of bringing public awareness. It is only through the media, youth has become aware of the various societal issues. Furthermore, people directly hear views and give their opinion different or in consensus with government. Fifthly, media has always ensured social and economic development. Commercials have always attracted huge market. While, social networking system have globalized world renaming it a global village. Now one can reach communicate with people of any stratum present in any corner of the world. Pakistani media has multifarious impacts on Pakistani society. In a broad view it has been an ambassador of Pakistani society. Primarily, it has helped establish democratic government in Pakistan. From demise of Mushraf’s dictatorship to first long lasting present democratic government of Pakistan, media has played its heroic character. Providing live parliament proceedings and activities of politicians, media has ensured democracy of Pakistan. Secondarily, through shows like Opinion, Bolta Pakistan and several others, media has made people speak up. Latter to editor and Hide Park in newspapers have made people to share their opinion and their opinion is conveyed to the government. It has brought the world at doorstep with its various trends, colors and life styles Tertiary, Pakistani media has always promoted education. Programs like LAAT and IQRA have realized and motivated people to understand need of education. One can assume a channel a classroom through which hundreds of thousands of the students taught by a teacher. Quarterly, Islamic channels have helped preach Islam. Through western media, various belief have invaded our society. These Islamic channels have countered cultural imperialism. Though Pakistani media has always enhanced social living in Pakistan but, like a science, media organizers have deteriorated it to achieve their vested interests. Over-commercialism has become weakness to media organizers to increase TRP (Target rating point). Any insignificant news is made a hot issue. Moreover, it is given so much importance that the real news is not even brought into notice. Pakistan media is cursed with an anathema of yellow journalism. Yellow journalism has become common trend among some Pakistani media organization. A false piece of information is sensationalized so much that the reality vanishes away from the first bench. Media is considered as a fundamental pillar of any state. In past it was considered as a guardian of the oppressed. Now the scenario has changed. Media organizers have involved themselves in a circulation race to have title of the winner. That is the reason; yellow journalism has sound footing in Pakistani media. Every media organization has its own policy. Some support one party and other supports other parties. Some of the Pakistani media organization doesn’t support present democratic government in order to fulfill their own hidden interests. Biased talk shows have resulted in public disappointment and agitation among masses. Westernization through some media channels has invaded our society. Some of our media channels are depicting western cultural. It has resulted havoc harm to our national identity. Pakistani media has comparatively played vital role in promoting education, bringing awareness, news and information to the people. But keeping it negative aspects, Pakistani media organizers are supposed to follow some remedies to guarantee its positive role in society. Responsible journalism requires has become dire need of Pakistani media. Responsible journalism requires a balance of the good and bad stuff in broadcasting repots and newspapers. Media representatives are supposed to respect the right of a person to have privacy. Moreover, they should not interfere or expose against private life of any citizen. Furthermore, mass media organizers should not writ, expose or display anything that is vulgar or provoke public sentiments. Glorifying violence in writings should be avoided, as it has indulged people in crimes.. Media organizers should not write against faith followed by the Pakistani citizens. There have been several occasion of riots and killings based on media reports and writings. All media organizations should ensure that they work in the interest of public. To summarize, media can help stabilize and strengthen the country by playing educational and informative role and by imparting knowledge to the masses as knowledge is power and only a well-informed society can develop a positive approach towards fife. The objective of media freedom can be realized only when public trust and confidence reposed in the media is respected and protected by the media itself by acting as a true watchdog, keeping an eye on the government on behalf of the public. As media influences ears, eyes and minds it is compulsory to media to follow it ethical norms to guarantee its positive role in society. “Freedom of conscience, of education, of speech, of assembly, is among the veryfundamentals of democracy and all of them would be nullified if freedom of the press besuccessfully challenged,” maintained US president Roosevelt”
Posted on: Thu, 12 Sep 2013 07:01:31 +0000
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