A Neutral Media: Umair Naeem
Monday, April 7, 2008 6:21A while back I got into an interesting discussion with a friend, regarding the inadvertent bias that a reporter or a newscaster can have. The basis of the discussion revolved around the style of delivery of newscasters, and their facial expressions while reporting breaking news. It’s quite normal that good news is delivered with a cheery tone, and tragic news is often delivered in a somber serious manner. These mannerisms and tones often have the effect of transmitting the emotion that the newscaster is trying to portray to the viewers or listeners. Imagine this power of the media, when viewers can be made to feel the frenzy of anger, or the fervor of a celebration, all by the way in which the news is delivered.
Now so far, not many would argue that this is something that should be held back. Emotion, after all, is what human nature is all about; and good news or tragic news deserves its share of emotion. But the questions begin to arise when personal biases relating to politics, leaders or situations; can cause media to begin to transmit that emotion to the people, hence driving public opinion. Again, no one would argue that this very aspect is the greatest strength of media, but continued unabated, it could prove to be the bane of a free thinking and open minded society.
In Orwell’s “1984”, the state regulated media controls and oversees the emotions and direction of thinking of the people. The highlight of these controls revolves around “Hate Minutes”, when the enemy of the state at that given instant is shown committing atrocities, while commentators in strong tone advocate hate on that enemy. This vary hate is transmitted to the viewers, who undergo a collective ‘mob’ transformation, feeling the ‘anger’ for that particular reviled entity.
Orwell’s writing paints an excellent picture of propaganda gone horribly wrong, and shows how media can become bigger than it should be. This is one extreme, but going back to the argument, it is perhaps impossible for a news anchor or reporter to leave out emotion from news delivery. Arguably, the other extreme would involve tremendously neutral anchors, who deliver news as facts with no emotion, in a monotone monologue. It can be argued that this is the way that news should be presented: In black and white facts, leaving it for the viewers to decide who’s wrong and who’s right, or who’s to be hated.
Human nature dictates that the stated extreme should not be possible. But my point of view revolves around controlling the natural biases that we have as humans. The media has a huge responsibility, as it can shape the direction of thought of a nation. It is vital then, for it to be self regulated, and to understand the importance of neutrality of information dissemination. In this regards, I feel that our media has got much ground to cover. BBC and Sky News to a large extent try to keep to the neutrality, while Fox News sways to the opposing extremes. Locally, I feel the news outlets such as Geo, Aaj and ARY struggle to keep the emotionality out of their delivery. On the other hand, newcomers such as Express and Samaa have so far been impressive in keeping to the script.
It is perhaps too early to be hyper critical of our media, as they are evolving as they try to understand what to do with the freedom that they have. In the last few years, the Pakistan media has taken giant steps forward, but I still believe that the greatest regulatory tinkering needs to come from within the media, and in order for that to happen, those that drive the media need to better understand their power and their responsibility. I will end this week with a salute to Rabia Garib and “Bits and Bytes” on Samaa TV, for having sign language put in to the show to facilitate understanding for the deaf. Giant step in the right direction! “Bits and Bytes” is on every Sunday morning at 9.30 am, and repeats at 5.30 pm on Samaa News.
To Understand, is to Live.
Stay safe!
