Some brandish guns, some hold religious books and some others wield contempt law and dissent and as a result freedom of expression is stifled.
This was said by Senator Farhatullah Babar while addressing a seminar on Media and Democracy organised by the Institute of Cultural Studies at Lok Virsa in Islamabad on Saturday.
Identifying factors influencing the role of media, he said that corporatization of media houses, erosion of distinction between professional editors and owners, weak culture of resistance journalism and the security establishment’s deep inroads in the media industry were some factors that had hampered right to information and free expression.
He urged young journalists to take ownership and develop culture of resistance journalism and proposed the setting up of a parliamentary committee on freedom of expression.
“Media and talk shows have promoted intolerance because the society itself has become intolerant and jehadi narrative is prevailing.”
He added, “Countering the jehadi narrative is not easy. It will take time and require persistent struggle for freedom of expression, academic freedoms and coming of out of the state of denial with respect to militant organisations.”
Intellectual infrastructure to counter militant narrative will not be built in garrisons but in universities, colleges and academic institutions where there is free discussion and room for dissent, he said.
The seminar was also addressed by senators Musaddiq Malik, Rubina Khalid and others.
Published in Daily Times, September 30th 2018.
