Yesterday was grand debate session in news channels. Grand because all had it . Topic was one of favorite topics , India -Pakistan talks. While Indian channels were angry over qureshi’s statement about s.m.krishna , there were many different options about why pakistan did what it did during talks , how press conference could have been handled in better way , what pakistan wants (according to individuals participating in debate). I am sure such debates might have taken place in pakistan news channels too.

While experts differed in most part of debate , most agreed on one part. News media’s role. Most agreed that press conference did played very important part in creating negativity in India-Pakistan talks which were recently held. Most had opinion that talks should be held away from media glare and media should be brought in only where negotitations have been reached.

Some experts believed that both India and Pakistan official play to galary through media and none wants to risk their political base and voters.

While this does have a valid point. News media plays very important role in evolving how we perceive about events which effect nation. If pakistan is listed in failed state , it does top headlines , if pakistan is listed in most unstable state , again that news finds place in headlines. But few report pakistan’s support for CWG games or India’s bid for non permanent member in security council. (Now critics would say it would oppose permanent seat. Well sure it would, would we support pakistan’s bid in present relationship status?).

Similarly in Pakistan’s daily , news about Kashmir or naxal would surely make headlines but India’s assistance in IMF loan to Pakistan?. Well it needed British foreign secretary to make that announcement. In one forum a pakistani was asked ‘what has gandhi done for them?’. Ironically gandhiji’s threat of fast unto death till India releases pakistan’s due during partition was find event which trigger nathuram godse’s decision to kill mahatma. This has been written by nathuram himself in his last letter. But pakistan media won’t print that!!!!!!!!. Similarly Indian media wont print positives of what pakistan does.

On other side of story news media is doing some wonderful things too. Geo tv and times of India’s aman ki asha is one of peace initiatives. Like wise ruchika , jessica , nitish kataria wont have seen justice if media won’t have created public pressure. Bhopal gas did spark outrage in civil society of India , courtesy news media.(It is different matter that daal , roti khao theme lets us forget things so easily)

So partial blame on news media about how pakistan perceives India and how India perceives Pakistan is valid but at same time without news media ,’hum sab chor hain’ theme would rule India and Pakistan without check.

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