Posted by Nadeem F. Paracha in Dawn Blog on October 29th, 2009

Talking to DawnNews, veteran journalist Agha Murtaza Poya called America, India, and Israel an ‘axis of evil out to destroy Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.’

There is absolutely nothing new or original about Poya’s grand ‘geopolitical’ assessment, but when such unsubstantiated claptrap comes from a respected journalist, what common sense or responsibility can one expect from the hoards of TV anchors and print journalists whose figurative 15 minutes of fame have already overstayed their cacophonic welcome.

It is a ‘fame’ gathered from cheap fist-clenching demonstrations of populist nonsense and so-called political discourses that are thoroughly anti-intellectual in nature and akin to deal more in sardonic barbs and thrilling sound bytes for an audience that seems not to have the patience, or for that matter, the capability to enjoy a more rational discourse.

TV screens and the pages of some newspapers are choked with hosts, journalists, and ‘experts’ dishing out the most worn out clichés that can be wonderful fodder for fast food spy fiction, consequently announcing the demise of any semblance left in this society to actually understand international and local politics as a dynamic science instead of reading it as a rapid-fire script of a racy James Bond film.

Accusations are conveniently floated about ‘corruption’ and ‘foreign hands,’ and not even once have they been proven as something more concrete than drawing room gossip or obsessive finger-wagging.

Thankfully, those sickened by such baloney have gotten down to systematically dismantling the many myths and conspiracy dribble that are smugly rolled out as ‘facts.’

Take the books written on the subject of Islamists and terrorism in the region by well known author Ahmed Rashid. In Decent into Chao (2008), Rashid uses reliable sources to turn the already known narrative of Pakistan being its own worst enemy into an elaborate and convincing intellectual and journalistic exercise.

But myth-busters – including Rashid, Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy, Dr. Mubarak Ali and others – may seem ‘too dry’ in their style compared to the many compelling babblers, journalists, and columnists who have turned spouting populist twaddle and worn-out conspiracies into an industry. Now, however, the myth-breaking brigade have found their own shock troopers.

This is a vital development in which sanity in this respect seems to be evolving a muscular side to challenge the sheer brawn of gaseous drawing room jocks such as Zaid Hamid, Aamir Liaquat, Mubashhir Luqman, Shahid Masood, Ansar Abbasi, et al.

Urdu columnist and TV host Hassan Nisar and investigative journalist Aamir Mir have been the frontline shock troopers. They have continued to dent the jocks’ numerous theories not only with arguments rooted in facts, but also with a punch.

In his book, Talibanisation of Pakistan, Mir, like Rashid, uses the most convincing investigative tools, smartly gathering on-ground facts from various competing intelligence agencies in Pakistan to lay out a harrowing narrative that puts Pakistan’s many schizophrenic intelligence agencies smack-dab in the middle of all that has gone so terribly wrong with Pakistan in matters of extremism and terrorism.

Mir’s book is a warning, but without the holier-than-thou approach that many of his detractors usually take.

The more we remain in denial about our own agencies’ historical dabbling in civilian political matters, and the many deadly games that these agencies played moulding armies of fanatical and violent Frankenstein Monsters, the deeper we shall tumble into the bottomless pit we have managed to dig for ourselves.

Interestingly, every time certain awkward truths about our own political and societal failures start to become a hot topic among the amoral chattering classes, there are always those who suddenly up the ante of their respective TV shows and their newspaper ‘scoops’ and columns, diverting the attention of the people either back to the wrecking and scheming ways of ‘foreign hands,’ or, of course, the Kerry-Lugar Bill and the NRO.

I’ve been associated with both investigative and desk journalism for more than 15 years now, and I know how vulnerable to exploitation journalists can get; quite like the politicians we so self-righteously bash. And even though I have very little experience with electronic journalism, one can quite easily point out the cynicism that cuts across it.

In 2007, the army (for the TV news channels) became the villain and the lawyers our saviours; terrorists were dealt with velvet gloves, even glorified as men who were creatures of circumstance instead of the cold-blooded murderers that they really are.
The same year, when late Benazir Bhutto met with Pervez Musharraf, she was mocked and put down as a ‘puppet of America.’ Soon after her tragic death, she suddenly became a heroine, and whole documentaries were dedicated to her.

In 2008, the army was still the villain and democrats became supermen. Terrorists were still seen to be fighting a noble war against America, and those who were blowing themselves up in mosques and schools were ‘Indian agents.’

In 2009, after the government and the army finally took decisive action against the terrorists, the army returned to the TV screens as heroes. Terrorists, meanwhile, became an elusive cross between barbarians and men funded by foreign powers. Last year’s supermen, the elected democrats, on the other hand, become ‘corrupt,’ ‘incompetent,’ and a laughing stock.

Suddenly, for TV news channels in Pakistan, it seems democracy isn’t all that cool anymore. They’re back indulging in Pakistani journalism’s all-time favourite pastime: looking for those ‘dark clouds’ of army intervention to ‘control corrupt politicians.’ They just never tire of this hollow, reactive exercise. It’s been going on ever since 1958.

The electronic media claims these somersaults are undertaken in the fine name of ‘democracy,’ and ‘freedom of speech.’ But the truth is, much of our electronic media is simply driven by what is better described as a mobocracy! Even a casual glance at any ‘talk show’ should suffice as proof.

Nadeem F. Paracha is a cultural critic and senior columnist for Dawn Newspaper and Dawn.com.

The News
Saturday, October 24, 2009
By Sadiq Saleem

Now that the orchestrated furore over the KLB aid package for Pakistan is diminishing, it is important to analyze how the country was driven into a frenzy and US-Pakistan relations put at risk by Pakistan’s “Ghairat lobby” and those whose hatred for President Zardari and the current government exceeds their love for Pakistan.

The real mystery of the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill is not its conditions or who may originally have proposed or recommended them. The conditions that have been the cause of much shouting and screaming were included in the House of Representatives’ version of the bill that was passed on June 11, 2009. That bill was widely reported in the domestic and international media. If the reporting requirements in the bill were insulting, or if they infringed upon Pakistan’s national sovereignty, why did not the assorted columnists, politicians and right-wing TV anchor persons make the same noise about these conditions in June that they have been making of late? (more…)

Sana A recaps and fact-checks the last episode of Dr. Masood’s show.

The most recent episode of “Meray Mutabiq” with Dr. Shahid Masood was yet another display of just how much Dr. Masood enjoys one-sided, deceitful “debate.” To be sure, he is not alone by any means — the nation’s media is saturated with “fundos,” a term used to describe narrow-minded characters parading as journalists. His show, however, is an exercise in frustration, as it gives other ignorant commentators a platform.

This episode is question tackled the issue of the Kerry-Lugar bill and the National Reconciliation Order. Dr. Masood invited fellow ranter, Ansar Abbasi and between the two of them, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira barely got a word in.

The facts remain the same: Kerry-Lugar will help the country of Pakistan by improving the general quality of life for all her people. The funds will go towards police training, health clinics, education, etc thereby improving economic opportunities for all. Slowly but surely, extremism will be wiped out. We can all be thankful the chorus of doomsayers and conspiracy theorists is dying down, and cooler heads are realizing the Kerry-Lugar aid package is not an attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty but rather an attempt to help a friend.

Insofar as the National Reconciliation Order goes, this is not a new subject. It has been around for years, Gen. Musharraf even supported it in his time. The fact is, there has always been a history of fabricated cases against the PPP. Saifur Rehman the then Chairman of Ehtesab Bureau and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif are on record saying this, and that should shed light on this political reality. Many cases have hung in the courts for a decade or longer — that is absurd! We as a nation need to move past this ugly political culture and into an open-minded fair discussion. The years of political wrangling has kept the country backward. It is about time that we ignore the trivial issues and do something concrete for the betterment of its people.

What we see on “Meray Mutabiq” is a snapshot of ignorance. The malicious perspective of vindictive individuals is a real shame — as journalists, they should be fair and logical. Dr. Masood and others like him do Pakistan absolutely no good.

In his latest post “Bring them to justice!” Agha Haider Raza takes on deceiving journalists and demands they be held accountable for their dishonorable actions.

The current bombings in Pakistan are definitely a cause for concern. It is unfortunate that after a successful military operation in Swat and surrounding areas, these shameful militants still take pride in the loss of human lives. Then again, it is difficult to expect them to respect the value of life once they become suicidal and so keen on killing others. The Kerry-Lugar Bill is another operation that has exposed the lack of respect journalists have for others as well. From fake stories, to conspiracies and downright lies, Pakistan’s media has seen and done it all. The legal battle ensuing from the lies has only proved the malice and bad intentions with which journalists like Ahmed Quraishi pen their writings.

The Nation accused Ambassador Haqqani of threatening “blackmail” by revealing “reams of documents” that would embarrass Pakistan and expose “national secrets” if he were forced out of office. Ahmed Quraishi’s article in The Nation also accused Ambassador Haqqani of being the reason why the United States does not understand the displeasure of Pakistan over the Kerry-Lugar Bill (as if a Karachi-born International Relations Professor now serving as Pakistan’s ambassador controls the cumulative thinking of the entire US government). Quoting a US military officer, The Nation states that US policymakers have been misinformed and “Haqqani has not set them straight or allowed others to do so”. Clearly, this is not the case since Ambassador Haqqani was by the side of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi over the past few days in Washington DC, voicing Pakistan’s concerns to US Senators and Representatives and Vice President Joe Biden. He was also on CNN, with Fareed Zakaria, explaining the Pakistani position. I believe the retired US military officer in question (if he exists) is deeply misinformed of the situation. And what is Ahmed Quraishi, the great America hater, doing talking to serving or retired US military officers when he won’t talk to anyone in the Zardari government?

In “Haqqani spares US publication and sues Pakistani one!” The Nation has desperately tried to paint another nasty dark portrait of Ambassador Haqqani. Like a cheap prank in school, The Nation has not only started spreading rumors, but inspired by Ahmed Quraishi, the paper is now twisting and taking words out of context. The Nation is playing the role of a victim by articulating how because of Ambassador Haqqani’s relationship with the US media, The Nation is being targeted. The only reason why Ambassador Haqqani has served a notice to The Nation is because of the lies and distorted information the newspaper has printed.

For those who have not been following the story let me summarize it for you. The Foreign Policy Magazine did not publish the article “Pakistan ambassador says he hasn’t been fired”. Rather, Josh Rogin wrote the piece on a blog called The Cable that is associated with Foreign Policy. The Nation further writes that Ambassador Haqqani gave an interview to the Foreign Policy magazine implying that the threat of releasing Pakistan national secrets was delivered by the Ambassador himself. This is not true. But what’s ironic is that within the same paragraph, the newspaper clearly states that “sources” have claimed Ambassador would reveal secrets. Ms. Editor, there is a difference between statements of sources and those of Mr. Haqqani.

The newspaper has clearly taken everything that was written by Mr. Rogin as being direct quotes from Ambassador Haqqani and at the same time has quoted selectively from The Cable blog piece so that the meaning changes and depicts Mr. Haqqani in a poor light. Due to this poor style of journalism, Mr. Haqqani has decided to sue The Nation. It is highly unfortunate that without substantial evidence or proof, persons who label themselves as nationalists are targeting a sitting Ambassador to the United States. At a time where Pakistan’s own survival is under threat at the hands of militants, it is depressing to witness that journalists have enough free time to vilify diplomats but not shed light on the actions and horrific activities of those threatening our continued existence.

As most conspiracy leaning journalists in Pakistan do, credit is not given where it is due. Rather than applauding the efforts of the Ambassador in securing the release of the F-16 jets, The Nation very proudly argues that it is part of the official duties of the Ambassador to follow through with bilateral deals and Mr. Haqqani has done nothing extraordinary. Throughout the 1990’s Pakistan and her Ambassadors constantly lobbied the US government to allow the shipment and release of the 28 F-16’s that had been already been paid for. Pakistan has had 10 Ambassadors to the US between 1990 and the present, but only Ambassador Haqqani was able to have the fighter jets ready for delivery –something the Pakistan Air Force Chief acknowledged on television at the F 16 rollout ceremony.

Furthermore, The Nation has done a brilliant amount of research to find anything Mr. Haqqani might have said that would hit a nerve with the public. All they could come up with was a meager two sentences in an apparent quotation of an interviewer, claiming that the Ambassador had criticized the Pakistan Army during the period of General Musharraf’s military rule. Unfortunately, for The Nation, PBS (from where they took the quote) has a web site where transcripts of all interviews can be found. In the same interview, when asked about the relationship between the civilian government and the Pakistan Army, Mr. Haqqani answered, “The Pakistani military realizes that while it has a very important and significant role in Pakistan security, it would be a much better organization if it was a professional military rather than a politicized and ideological military”. This is a philosophy that is shared by the current Chief of Army Staff General Kayani, who understands the need of the Army returning to the barracks and staying away from politics. Ms Editor, there is a difference between opposing army coups and opposing the army.

The Nation nowadays more and more resembles the likes of a gossip magazine rather than an objective newspaper. On October 13th, The Nation published, “the government has decided to replace Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani and an announcement is expected within next 48 hours”. Although my schoolteachers always claimed I have no sense of timing, I think it is safe to assume that more than 48 hours have passed since the paper posted that fallacy. Is it not fair to ask for an apology from The Nation for misleading their readers by distributing such rumors?

As most of my writing entails, this piece is not about giving a bad name to The Nation or the writers who contribute to the newspaper. However, in this case, the author Ahmed Quraishi has obviously shied away from the truth. He has used the criticism which developed from the introduction of the Kerry-Lugar Bill and directed it at defaming Ambassador Haqqani. I have followed all of Quraishi’s articles that he has written after the passing of the Kerry-Lugar Bill. Not one article provides an alternate option. Not one article provides any positive criticism.

Legitimate journalists strive to make their country better for future generations. Sadly, our journalists continue to harp on old animosity and resentment. It is unfortunate how such journalists are more than happy to grab on to any opportunity that comes their way in order to misinform the public so that they may pursue their own agenda. We need to bring an end to this! With Ambassador Haqqani’s defamation charges, hopefully this will be a rude awakening for those journalists who have toyed with the public mind. We must not allow these journalists to take advantage of a media that struggled so hard for 60 years to achieve the independence it has today.