Donkey cart race gets priority over Governor State Bank

It so happened on 14^th August 2012, when I called my assignment desk for covering flag hoisting ceremony and freedom exhibition at State Bank of Pakistan. I had informed the desk a few days earlier about the event; I also submitted a printed proposal, which also read about an exhibition to enumerate the story of freedom starting from 1857 to 14th of August 1947. Honestly speaking, I was excited but the excitement went in the vein when the desk in charge told me that a cameraman is covering donkey cart race at I. I. Chundrigar Road and he will shoot the event for an over the camera news. My motivation, my Imagination and my passion was all gone in blink of second.

Though it was not the first time, Television Journalism in general and news bulletins are like Punjabi movies lately, any news, which has element of violence, action, romance is given top priority, arguing viewers want to see it. For the sake of argument if a porn clip is included in the news bulletin, will it interest the viewers? Punjabi film makers when asked why they make such movies replied once that this is what viewers in Pakistan want to see. I used to laugh on this reply but I was naïve.

I got the opportunity to read governor speech, he paid glowing tributes to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah under whose inspiring leadership, statesmanship, wisdom and vision, the first ideological state of the world came into being on 14^th August, 1947. He said State Bank has been working to increase the welfare of all communities in line with the Quaid’s vision for Pakistan and added that financial inclusion is a core component of SBP’s financial sector development strategy. It envisages transforming the financial market into an equitable system with efficient market based financial services to the otherwise excluded poor and marginalized population including women and young people. I also got the opportunity to listen to one of the donkey cart racer; he said his life is becoming miserable day in and day out: making mockery of governor’s speech.

As a nation we are 65 years old now, in our initial 30 years we build all our national assets the next 30 we ruined the buildup and the following five have brought us at a point, where world consider us as a spoiled nation. Our problems are magnifying with every passing day and the forth pillar of the society is keeping its eyes closed.

On press freedom day, I attended a conference being organized by the US conciliate, William Martin spoke on the occasion, he mentioned California has clearer beaches amid journalism as they move the policy maker to do what is required in achieving define objectives. Building the nation and society could be our objective and hushing policy makers for necessary legislations should be journalism’s prime objective.

Riaz Andy

14^th August 2012