Lost in Oblivion
Erum Adnan
With the coming of the media boom, the electronic media seems to have found its voice but it has not understood the very essence of journalism. It is as if the industry was given too much freedom, too soon. The corollary to that is that the channels are vying to break the news and compete with each other to see who can be the loudest. There are no follow-ups to the stories they have broken. Attention-grabbing news flashes incessantly on the screen one day and then fades into oblivion.
The list of stories that were quickly forgotten is endless. On September 1, 2007, Karachi’s Shershah bridge collapsed. Images of the destruction flashed across television screens, vividly highlighting the fact that the city lacks the resources to deal with a calamity of this nature. People were shown stranded and crying for help. Misery and ruin seemed to rule the day. Fingers were pointed at all those associated with the construction. For a couple of days, the channels raised the issue that we didn’t have the right machinery to remove the rubble. But soon the disaster was forgotten. We don’t know what became of those who were responsible for the collapse of the bridge, and if anything has been done to improve disaster management in the city, or if anyone has been brought to justice.
Similarly, a hue and cry was raised when money changers Khanani and Kalia were booked for money laundering and illegal money transfers. It was alleged that they ran illegal hawala and hundi businesses. The duo was subjected to much public humiliation but, with the passage of time, the news died down. No one knows where the two are now, if they were ever charged or if anyone else was arrested in this supposed crackdown against money changers.
In July 2008, five women were reportedly buried alive in Balochistan. The perpetrators were identified and when some politicians actually supported the brutish practice, the cry for justice amplified. NGOs made their presence felt with protests, but after a few days the zest evaporated. Once again, the television stations failed in properly following up and informing its viewers if anyone was apprehended.
There are legions of stories that were left hanging mid-air. Who killed Murtaza and Shahnawaz Bhutto? Who attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team or opened fire at the Manawan police academy in Lahore?
There is a common belief that public memory is short. As the uproar dies down, people tend to forget. It is the duty of the media to keep the story alive until justice prevails. After all, justice delayed is justice denied.
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I completely agree with Ms. Erum Adnan. Yes, media just creates hype and at times sensitises a story beyond need. Then after a few weeks… as aptly said… it is lost in oblivion. The issue of fake doctors is so grave in our country. Cases regarding them came forth in hospitals in KArachi and Islamabad…remember the death at the poly clinic in Islamabad due to an unregistered doctor. Media flashed the news all over but what happened to that doctor. I guess he wasn’t even caught. The sotry was never followed up. This is such a mess. We need to be more responsible where issue oriented stories are concerned and should definitely follow a story till it reaches its end and the perpetrators are put to justice.
Couldn’t agree more, glad somebody adressed this issue. wonderful depth in the article.
Very true, Media creates hype and then forgets what has happened, What max they do is remember it on Anniversaries
very true and glad that someone has highlighted this issue.
yes i agree totally…i hope something is done about it..
Absolutely agree with the sentiments of your article Erum! The role of the media is much more than simply presenting the news of the day and thinking they’ve satisfied their duty. Responsible journalism entails seeing a story to its end, and infact educating its viewers abt the matter at hand – not simply informing them. As to whose fault this shallow form of journalism might be, its hard to say. A stricter regulating authority needs to take charge, one that believes in the quality of our journalism, not quantity. After all, the quality of a country’s journalism, tends to represent the quality of thought of a country’s citizens.
Very true, indeed. I still remember I was following Meera’s marriage scandal so intently. Every now and then something would happen that adds to the story and make it even more interesting but suddenly there was nothing on the news regarding the scandal. It seemed like media has given up chasing the story.
Its obvious that the news channels are trying to compete with each other in trying to put hot and happening news on the screen and earn as much viewership as possible. I am glad that someone came up with this issue. Although I know that nothing is ever going to change.
i totally agree wth u ,,,, u r great and genius,,,,,,people like u through professionals should take over such people and bring a revolution to the media which should be not just fr the sake of fun and breaking news but should show some conclusions
To be honest never thought of the news like this…interesting angle of looking at the whole issue…very thoughtful of the author to direct our attention to this case
very true erum …. this is our media which is truly a biased one … the incidents tht u pointed out are only few , there are a huge number of similar stories which only came to lime light for a short interval of time and then they lost themselves in the dark …
regarding the khanani n kalia case … i have just came to know that both the culprits got released on bail last week or so n it was not even came to the headlines of any news channel …
anyways … lets hope that a change occur and Inshallah it will occur soon through ourselves … the future hope of Pakistan … Ameen
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