Workshop Abstract - Ghazi Salahuddin

ABSTRACT

THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN SOUTH ASIA

GHAZI SALAHUDDIN*

When it comes to building confidence of the people of South Asia in a peaceful resolution of bilateral and region conflicts, the media often hits the target by avoiding it. The coverage of domestic uncertainties and institutional failures in any country breeds familiarity in the neighboring climes. In an indirect sense, this generates empathy between the peoples and underlines the existence of shared aspirations and the feeling that meaningful social development would demand peaceful and cooperative relations between the countries of South Asia.

So far as the actual coverage in the media of bilateral contacts and track II diplomacy is concerned, the overall picture remains fractured. There is pronounced support for peace efforts in some areas and a jingoistic approach in others. Essentially, we have to contend with the print media (with its decisive differentiation in the English-language and the regional press in indigenous languages) and the electronic media, which operates at the domestic as well as the international level. In addition to international news channels, including the radio, the overall content of entertainment programs on satellite TV channels has a large role to play in shaping the attitudes of the people. A sharp focus on show business, the staple of many popular programs, and sports has generally played a positive role. However, a Kargil-like crisis or mounting casualties in politically motivated violence can distract the media into a narrow, nationalistic fervor.

Pakistan has a distinctive feature in the context that here, the readership of the print media is very small and the electronic media remains in state control.

Various factors have undermined the influence of the media in the region. There are large variations in the practice of democracy in the specific countries. This has a direct relevance to the freedom of the media and to the nature of debate which the media can sponsor. But the political culture is almost uniformly low and it restricts confidence-building initiatives. Similarly, there is not enough appreciation of the fact that the right to information, founded on appropriate legislation, is necessary to establish the values of freedom of expression, democracy and good governance.

A surge in extremism and intolerance in some areas has also played a subversive role. Indeed, a major responsibility of the media is to promote and defend an environment in which a rational dialogue and open debate on potentially antagonistic disputes is possible. In this respect, the media must work in collaboration with civil society organizations and advocacy groups. This alliance has not properly been nurtured.

What is recognized as the 'new media' has certainly enlarged the scope for the dissemination of information and ideas. But the role that the internet is playing and can play has not yet been fully explored. One view, articulated recently by Mary Robinson, UN Commissioner for Human Rights, is that internet as well as globalization have contributed to the spread of racism and intolerance. The reach of internet in South Asia is somewhat restricted, though it is growing at a rapid pace. Consequently, important changes are likely to be injected into the traditional media.

All said and done, the media remains a constant reminder of the message of peace. This message is implicit even in very subjective and partisan analyses. The need for peace as a prerequisite for economic and social development is incontrovertible.

* Editorial Director, Jang Group of Newspapers, Karachi.

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