OUR TV channels have played a very important role in exposing the plight of suffering citizens, corruption and mismanagement in our government, through their investigative reporting and talk shows.

However, for the last few months, as the election date grows closer, the talk shows have become shriller and louder and have turned into a platform for mudslinging, no holds barred. At these ‘shouting shows’, each guest tries to outshout the other to get his/her point across, with the host joining in at times to add spice to heat up the discussion.

Being a regular viewer, I switch from channel to channel and try to find a programme in which I can hear and understand what the participants are talking about. But, unfortunately, most of them have become, incomprehensible, ugly brawls. In some cases, short of coming to blows, we have witnessed a guest throwing water at his opponent and storming off the stage in protest.

Such embarrassing behaviour exposes the inherent character fault line in our politicians, as they are hell bent on point-scoring and playing to the gallery.

I suppose their bosses assume that the louder and uglier these mudslinging, brawls are, the better the viewership.

I suggest that to maintain a certain degree of decorum and civilised behaviour, the host of the talk shows should have a switch which controls the sound and a red and green light for each speaker in order to maintain proper decorum and to have healthy and fruitful discussion.

HAMID MAKER Karachi

Show of affluence A MYRIAD of morning shows have dominated Pakistani TV channels in recent years. An exquisite aura of an ideal morning is superficially created, where celebrities in a luxurious, cosy lounge sip steaming morning beverage in elegant mugs and have frivolous conversations and pointless exchange of ideas on daily affairs.

These morning shows give the hosts an opportunity to play dress up on the camera as they attempt to beautify their appearance by latest designer clothes and flaunt on the set with grace and poise, and in essence pose a lifestyle filled with bliss, unblemished with any sort of misery.

Their petty tea talks with one another or via phone calls is a perfect demonstration of how to waste not only their precious two hours but also of the gawking audience who hang on each and every word of utter rubbish they articulate.

Some morning shows, attempt to illuminate harsh realities of life and the oppressed group of society is brought under the limelight. Nevertheless, the seriousness of these issues stands in stark contrast to the larger picture. There is more than meets the eye. Morning shows have become a medium through which designer clothes are advertised and the makeup artists gain more publicity.

With forces of advertising working to achieve a desired effect; airing of serious issues become just a formality and the prime purpose is not served.

With all the glamour shown and if pluralistic theories deem that the media holds a mirror to society, then who says that Pakistan is underdeveloped? If morning shows and the fashion industry of Pakistan are the pioneers of modernization, then where do the impoverished areas lie?

Are they a part of the gruesome trash to be removed all together, too negligible to be given a worth or a hurdle towards modern progress? And most of all, are things left to be judged only by their material worth?

In this globalised era, nothing is held obscured; at the end of the day it all depends on how one perceives reality as active individuals strive to make a difference.

HADIA SINGAPURI Karachi