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How media covered Gaza

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  • Arab rulers and the Muslim world need to realize that in this era of social and digital media, it’s not possible to suppress any news.

Ever since the Palestinian freedom group Hamas shocked Israel with a series of massive attacks on the latter’s soil, the debate over how the media covered the situation in ‘Gaza’ continues amid allegations, particularly from the Muslim and Arab world, that the West’s coverage is “biased”.

In the digital and social media age, the most disturbing aspect of the media coverage was the spread of tons of ‘disinformation and fake news, making things worse.

Unfortunately, there is no concept of “freedom of the press” and ‘freedom of expression’ within the Muslim and Arab world barring Al-Jazeera (Arabic and English), a Qatar-based news network, which today is competing with CNN, BBC, ABC, and other leading media outlets.

The dilemma of the Pakistani media, which is comparatively much more vibrant within the Muslim world, failed to develop itself in a manner to challenge or come even close to international standards. Yes, there is no doubt that the successive governments over the past few decades kept the media suppressed but the media houses by and large lacked the capacity to meet the challenges and were mostly dependent on global media for events of that magnitude. They even missed the opportunity of having their own ‘bureaus’ during the conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran. Thus, 80% coverage of our media outlets revolved around domestic issues and only ‘politics.’ Even in the 24-7 circles of the electronic media, like the print, our journalism has yet to improve and go beyond — it is said.

Yes, there have been few exceptions after private TV channels for the time allowed to operate in Pakistan in 2001. Though some Pakistani journalists either on their own or through different sources did cover ‘Arab spring’, the big media houses in the name of ‘lack of resources’ did not give importance to such events.

Against this backdrop, it’s good to see that GEO News Network recently sent two of their reporters Ali Imran and Tariq Abul Hasan to cover the Gaza conflict and they are doing some excellent reporting. They are also expected to do some side stories over the plight of those suffering from the ongoing war, human rights aspects etc. If we really want to develop Pakistani media to come even near to International standards much more is required.

It is a fact that the media in the Islamic or Arab countries hardly have independent media or even professionally equipped. On the contrary, most Arab countries discourage freedom of the press and freedom of expression or for that matter people’s right to know. A Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi’s brutal murder in Turkey is a classic example. The majority of these media outlets in the Arab world in particular are just the mouthpieces of the state.

Al-Jazeera is an exception but it was not an easy journey for the ‘news network’ which emerged as one of the strongest media houses and is considered as the voice of the Muslim viewers in general and Arab viewers in particular. It survived unprecedented pressure from the United States in particular after 9/11, due to its exclusive coverage which also included a version of al-Qaeda’s top leadership like a video message of its head Osama Bin Laden.

But, Al-Jazeera survived despite all such pressures even from the Arab countries including Saudi Arabia. Its coverage of international events, comments, talks, and most importantly its ‘documentaries’ are of high quality. All this helped the network rival CNN and BBC even in this era of disinformation Syndrome.

Millions of viewers in this part of the world have no other choice but to depend on stories coming from ‘western media outlets’ like BBC, CNN, ABC, or international wire services and newspapers. As a result whatever coverage, reports, photographs and videos we are getting are from these outlets whether some of them are ‘fake’ or based on ‘facts.’ Therefore, until and unless these countries allow ‘freedom’ to critical voices and allow them to compete, any criticism of the other media would be meaningless.

So, what Al-Jazeera did differently was that within years after its inception in 2001, it drew the attention of world media and even world leaders. It is its coverage and approach after the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers that made the difference. Osama bin Laden was declared the most wanted person and al-Qaeda the global terror network. It also carried the other side’s (al-Qaeda) version and aired most of the video messages or standpoints of the organisation and fiercely defended its policy, saying it only gave coverage to both sides i.e. US and al-Qaeda.

The 9/11 attacks not only changed the world but also the media globally as its ethical standards declined sharply in the wake of the incident altering the course of history forever. Even during the Iraq war the way American and Western media were used through ‘state-backed’ planted stories about the ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction,’ in Iraq is the world’s worst example of ‘unethical’ journalism. This fake news was used as an excuse for an attack on Iraq to dismantle Iraq’s President Saddam Hussain and his government at the cost of killings of thousands of civilians.

Later, one of the leading American newspapers ‘publicly apologised’ and admitted that ‘they were used’ by the US government. Years later one BBC correspondent exposed how embedded American journalists were used for fake stories and videos about the unpopularity of Saddam Hussain. The documentary also showed how one of the American journalists was sent back when he confronted the US officials over such stories. But the worst of that time came when the so-called Western world, which is otherwise against capital punishment, not only backed the same for Saddam Hussain but also allowed the media outlets to broadcast the Iraqi leader’s hanging live — something unprecedented.

In December 2001, Al-Jazeera Managing Director, Al-Ali drew similarities: “When CNN was the only foreign news network allowed in Bagdad, during the Gulf war, it was accused of being Iraq’s mouthpiece. In Afghanistan, we were the only foreign news network in the Taliban-held territories, and we were being accused of being Taliban’s mouthpiece.” He added that, “there is a professional jealousy on the American side because now Al-Jazeera stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the major American network.” He went on to say that Al-Jazeera has been accused of being a CIA agent, an Israeli agent, Saddam Hussain’s agent, and a Taliban agent. “This shows that we present all sides. We must be doing something right.” (AL-Jazeera, by Mohammed El-Nawawy and Adel Iskandar).

Post-9/11, Al-Jazeera, both its Arabic and English news networks, became the alternate media because of its access to al-Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden, the two most wanted identities for the Americans. Most of bin Laden’s video messages were aired on the network and Western media was left with no other option but to pick from there.

The Qatar government came under tremendous pressure from both the US and Arab countries to not cover these events but the counterargument was whether the network denied or declined any coverage or reaction from the US government.

Interestingly, while the Taliban and many militant groups are ideologically against videos and photographs of human beings, al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, used videos as the most effective means to communicate. Later, many religious extremist groups also changed their stance and did not oppose photographs and videos rather they used them for their own coverage.

In Pakistan, only a few journalists succeeded in getting access to bin Laden or the top al-Qaeda and Taliban emir late Mullah Omar. Late Raheemullah Yosufzai of The News is considered the most authentic source on al-Qaeda and Taliban and had access to both Laden and Omer. GEO’s veteran anchor Hamid Mir was also among the first who interviewed bin Laden. Although, at that time he was the Editor of a Rawalpindi-based newspaper Ausaf, but, he knew that such an interview required an international audience so he asked the country’s leading English daily, DAWN, if they were interested in it. The DAWN management and Editor after going through it and verifying the authenticity decided to publish it. Within no time it not only hit the headlines all over the world but Hamid Mir, himself became the most wanted journalist and was interviewed by top leading Western media networks.

Pakistani print and electronic media missed the opportunities to attract millions of viewers around the world. Had they expanded their news networks beyond Pakistan things would have been different and at least some of our media outlets would be rivalling the likes of Al-Jazeera.

Western media may have their own angle but at least they have their presence in these countries at times of war and peace. Thus, in this backdrop, if one sees the coverage of the present Israeli-Palestinian conflict many of these news outlets have their access to both sides. So, unless the Muslim and Arab world allowed independent media news network operations in their own countries Arab and Muslim viewers and readers would have little choice but to depend on BBC, CNN, and other such channels.

Hats off to those hundreds of journalists belonging to different news networks who laid down their lives covering these events and wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Gaza.

Arab rulers and the Muslim world need to realize, the sooner the better that in this era of social and digital media, it’s not possible to suppress any news. The Arab Spring is a classic example. Israeli brutalities should be exposed in a more expressive manner but unfortunately, western media because of their own angle and approach avoided highlighting cases of injustice and the use of brute Israeli force and barring Al-Jazeera, there is not a single news network in the Muslim and Arab world which could compete with the powerful media around the world.

Business

Nineth round of political talks between Pakistan and the EU centers on trade and security

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In their ninth round of political dialogue, which took place here on Wednesday, Pakistan and the EU discussed all aspects of their bilateral relationship, with a particular emphasis on the Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP), trade and development cooperation, security, climate action, migration, and mobility.

The team from Pakistan was led by Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, while Enrique Mora, Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service, represented the EU.

Significant local and international happenings were also covered.

The two parties expressed satisfaction with the positive direction of the relationship and decided to keep working to expand and deepen bilateral ties between Pakistan and the EU in all areas of shared interest. They will do this by routinely convening institutional mechanism meetings and carrying out follow-up tasks.

The two sides acknowledged the significance of bilateral relations between Pakistan and the EU, concurring that frequent high-level meetings have given the relationship new life and emphasized the need for close communication and collaboration in the face of a geopolitical environment that is changing quickly.

In order to bring about diversification and sustainability in trade ties between Pakistan and the European Union, the Foreign Secretary emphasized the need for deeper collaboration with key stakeholders on both sides, acknowledging GSP Plus as a successful model of trade for development and mutually beneficial cooperation.

The two parties also decided to investigate fresh prospects under the EU’s major initiatives, Horizon Europe and the Global Gateway Strategy.

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Traval

In Canada, another member of the PIA crew disappears.

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Jibran Baloch, a flight attendant, is the second PIA air hostess to vanish this month; she was scheduled to take a Toronto trip from Karachi and then left the hotel.

Flight 782 failed to arrive for its planned return duty on February 29. Jibran Baloch, a flight attendant, is the second air hostess to go this month.

When staff members searched Jabran Baloch’s room, they discovered that he had fallen. Another missing person from the hotel a few days earlier was a female air hostess. In just a few months, almost 12 air hostesses who were assigned to flights to Toronto had vanished.

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight hostess is said to have vanished from her job in Canada earlier this month.

When Maryam Raza, who was supposed to be on aircraft PK 782 from Pakistan to Toronto, neglected to show up for work on the return trip, PK 784 from Toronto to Karachi, the event became public knowledge. According to those with knowledge of the situation, after PIA’s hanging uniform was found in her room, a letter with the words “Thank you, PIA” was found next to it.

This is the third instance of PIA flight attendants’slipping’ while on duty that has been documented this year; two of the cases involve women.

The efficacy of these procedures has not increased despite steps taken to prevent similar instances, such as obtaining the passports of flight attendants assigned to Toronto flights.

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Pakistan

China “agrees” to transfer $2 billion in debt to Pakistan.

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ISLAMABAD China has “agreed” to roll over a $2 billion loan to Pakistan, according to sources cited by ARY News, which is a big milestone.

Sources inside the ministry of finance claim that the $2 billion loan will be rolled over under the current terms prior to its maturity date.

Less than 2 percent interest will be charged on the $2 billion in Chinese debt that is being deposited, according to sources.

According to reports, the $2 billion debt’s maturity period will conclude on March 23, 2024, and an additional $2 billion will be rolled over for a year.

It is important to note that as of the end of November in FY2023–24, Pakistan’s overall debt load was at an astounding Rs 63,399 trillion.

Over Rs12.430 trillion more was borrowed by the nation during the PDM and caretaker government’s mandate.

With domestic loans totaling Rs40.956 trillion and foreign loans totaling Rs22.434 trillion, Pakistan’s total debt load increased to Rs63.390 trillion.

China postponed paying Pakistan’s $2 billion debt for two years, starting in July 2023. Regarding the delay in debt recovery, Pakistan received an official letter from China Eximbank.

Pakistan will return the debt in accordance with the terms of the deal with China and was also spared from paying extra interest on the loan. According to further sources, all 31 loan agreements were extended over the original date of July 21, 2023, to June 30, 2025.

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