Zaair Hussain’s column in Daily Times today is an excellent explanation of why it is so important that we, the citizens, keep a check on the media and do not allow it to become like a dictator in its own right. We talk about accountability for government officials, politicians, and police – but rarely do we ask for accountability from our journalists.
For example, why is it that a journalist like Shaheen Sehbai can continually make wrong predictions, and still he continues? Or that Ahmed Quraishi can say the most wild conspiracy theories over and over again with no consequences?
This is not to say that there should be some laws against free speech. Quite the contrary. But what it does mean is that, if we are going to have a press that is both free and fair, we the citizens will have to keep our eyes on them to hold them to standards of professionalism – especially if they will not do it themselves.
