This with reference to the report in Arab News (Feb. 14) about the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority censuring the country’s ARY news channel over the use of indecent and uncivilized language by the anchor and the participants against Malala Yousafzai and her family in one of their programs on Feb. 7.
It is really sad that the girl who risked her life for the cause of education is being treated by certain elements with despise and hatred. More saddening is the fact that they indulged in slander and accused her of being anti- Islam and anti-Muslim. One cannot forget the fact that the Holy Qur’an specifically prohibits Muslims to indulge in slander and make false accusations against any person without giving him or her the opportunity to defend. Being the recipient of the most coveted award, the Nobel Peace Prize, Malala should instead be respected as a celebrity in the country.
What is surprising is that the regulatory authority simply issued a warning notice to the channel, but fell short of imposing penalties as per the rules for such violations. It is the responsibility of news channels to remove parts of a program that amount to slander, false accusations and use of indecent language.
Freedom of speech is important and the media plays an invaluable role. Yet, when it attacks and maligns other individuals without giving them the opportunity to defend and clarify, it amounts to character assassination. In such cases, the public prosecutor should press charges against the culprits and seek justice to prevent recurrence of such acts.
Ironically, the same news channel, ARY, had highlighted the achievements of Malala when the audio narration of her biography “I am Malala” bagged the Grammy award last February.
It is really sad that the girl who risked her life for the cause of education is being treated by certain elements with despise and hatred. More saddening is the fact that they indulged in slander and accused her of being anti- Islam and anti-Muslim. One cannot forget the fact that the Holy Qur’an specifically prohibits Muslims to indulge in slander and make false accusations against any person without giving him or her the opportunity to defend. Being the recipient of the most coveted award, the Nobel Peace Prize, Malala should instead be respected as a celebrity in the country.
What is surprising is that the regulatory authority simply issued a warning notice to the channel, but fell short of imposing penalties as per the rules for such violations. It is the responsibility of news channels to remove parts of a program that amount to slander, false accusations and use of indecent language.
Freedom of speech is important and the media plays an invaluable role. Yet, when it attacks and maligns other individuals without giving them the opportunity to defend and clarify, it amounts to character assassination. In such cases, the public prosecutor should press charges against the culprits and seek justice to prevent recurrence of such acts.
Ironically, the same news channel, ARY, had highlighted the achievements of Malala when the audio narration of her biography “I am Malala” bagged the Grammy award last February.
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