A lesson from US media
IN the recent shooting spree by a 20-year-old man in Newtown, Connecticut, 26 people, including 20 children, were killed. This unfortunate incident took place in a country which is regarded as a leader in the freedom of speech and communication. But hats off to their media which neither showed details of even a single victim lying in a pool of blood nor showed the bloody remains of those departed.
The American media is rather busy in the critical analysis of the whole episode. On the other hand, our media shows details — ranging from mutilated bodies to severed human parts.
The same thing happened last year when the tsunami in Japan killed thousands of people. Not even a single corpse was shown on the Japanese media.
I believe that our media should now become more responsible and mature and use the freedom of speech in a positive way, giving apt suggestions on how to deal with news related to violent acts or incidents in which deaths occur.
M. ASIF
Karachi
Suicide shooters
WE have suicide bombers galore. Americans have suicide shooters or rather snipers in large numbers. So what is the difference?
My heart and feelings go out nonetheless for those 20 innocent and lovely children and those six brave adults who tried to save them.
It seems that the US is a very dangerous place to be in. Should we not issue a travel warning?
TANVIR AHMED MOHAJIR
Karachi
Mr. Mohajir says, “We have suicide bombers galore. Americans have suicide shooters or rather snipers in large numbers. So what is the difference?” The difference is that Americans don’t blame these tragedies on enemies of Christianity and America. American officials don’t blame these events on “foreign agents” and then wash their hands off the problem. Another difference is that the American military is not infested with elements who support, train and protect the criminal elements that cause such mayhems. American seminaries are not producing these shooters. In America, such tragedies occur because of a breakdown of an individual and/or a family. In Pakistan, they occur because of the breakdown of political, administrative and ideological structures. I am not saying mental health issues do not exist in Pakistan; they do, and comparing those issues with the Newtown tragedy will be a fair comparison. However, comparing the Newtown tragedy with Pakistan’s suicide bombings is intellectual dishonest.
Siddique Malik, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
I do agree with Mr. Asif that media needs to be more responsible. There should be some code of conduct for the media.
Among other things, especially, the dramatization of the crimes should be stopped immediately.
There is an error in my post above: Please read “a breakdown on an individual and/or a family” as “a breakdown of an individual and/or a family.”
Tanvir, you and I both know that given an opportunity 99% of Pakistanis would rather be in US than in Pakistan. You don’t have to take any one’s word for it, just take a look at the queue outside US embassy on any given morning and then be realistic about your suggestions.
Pakistan and US are the same. Same issues and same problems with guns and violence, unemployment and racial tensions. Just that the US uses its media clout to brow-beat Pakistan. Else it is all the same. Rehman Malik should issue a travel advisory against travel to US ..
by the same token Turkish dramas are opposed, for being against our general social norms…their comes freedom of whatever..media cant be left at large to show whatever it considers fit.
Tanveer, or may we reconsider before applying for the US visa/queuing up at their consulate?
Touché!
Tanvir
they have individuals, who go berserk. You have organisations that go berserk. That IS the difference…