typical feature of Radio Pakistan is its emphasis on patriotism expressed through national songs and speeches. People are explicitly and implicitly advised to work for the prosperity and solidarity of the country and obey the law of the land.
Missing from a typical discussion on governance would, however, be any reference to the way rulers can be held accountable for what they do or fail to do. No one in the village would ever know their rights as citizens. Any developmental work done by the government is recognised and promoted as a special favour done to the people.
Local politicians would remind them of those projects whenever they ask for a return under the norm of reciprocity. More importantly, people have very little expectations from the state and are content with life as it is. Politicians can cleverly manipulate them by invoking religion, biradari (clan system), and historical alliances. Economic and social development, in real terms, is rarely seriously discussed in any public forum including Radio Pakistan.
No one can dispute the importance of the media in shaping perceptions. What, however, is contestable is the fact that too much exaggeration and skewed emphasis often prove counter-productive. People become even more sceptical and cynical when they find striking discrepancy between narratives given on radio and TV and the objective conditions on the ground.
The policy of ‘make-people-believe’ through fabricated stories and window-dressing is bound to backfire. One should walk the talk or the talk will push people to walk out of their loyalty to the state. We already witness this phenomenon in various forms and manifestations.
In the midst of the information revolution, Radio Pakistan can survive as a useful platform for discussion, analysis, and promotion of state interests if it transcends its parochial approach of appeasing the sitting government at the cost of concealing the truth to fool the masses.
The writer teaches at FAST-NU, Peshawar.
Email: zeb.khan@nu.edu.pk
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