How media alters mass perception

Mass media has a crucial role in political and religious upbringing of a nation. By virtue of its vast viewer ship it can play a pivotal role in shaping a tolerant society with sound religious and social values. But unfortunately the power of this source is misused in most parts of the world. When such an efficacious tool becomes a toy at hands of a handful of elite, the result is devastation and turmoil by effect of oppression of thoughts and opinion. Although, democracy croons about freedom of speech and freedom of press; in reality, most large democracies have a state run press where they monitor and crop real data, withholding truth from the public that elects them. Twisted reality is portrayed purposefully to shape mass opinion according to the government’s desire. A lay man does not recognize this crafty fraudulence of hypocritical democracies, who refuse to practice what they preach. So, when a thinker or revolutionary speaks up about the two-facedness of our rulers, he is silenced using fear tactics or worse….

This guile is not just practiced by democracies who police the media, but also by media itself. The press and tube realize the effect of their medium and abuse its power to serve their own agenda. They present their own doctrine using propaganda strategy, imprinting their perspective on viewer’s mind by repetition of contorted information and omission of alternate view representation. When misinformation seemingly goes unchallenged, it is accepted as truth by the viewers. Thus, the goal of false propaganda is slyly achieved.

Some of our Pakistani newspapers also run internet blogs. Some argumentative contributions are frequently published in these newspaper which reflect views of deviant sects, communists and atheists about Islamic basics in name of liberal interpretation of Quran, which is another tradition gaining root amongst the ‘enlightened moderates’ of today. The blogs are targeted at changing mass perception about Islam by contorting the words of the Book in accordance with their own will. Such blogs police all comments for quranic and hadith references. I would like to draw attention towards a recently published article in Dawn written by a controversial society critic, aimed at redefining Islamic injunctions about allowance of alcohol consumption, sale and punishment. To counter the farce penned by the ignorant author, I posted my replies quoting references from hadith and quran (the absolute source of Islamic knowledge), pointing towards the invalidity of his poorly researched article. All of my replies were removed from the blog, except one which was allowed to stay after editing the quoted quranic verse. To add to my fury, the posts, allowed to be published on the alleged blog were those that raved about the “well-researched” article and agreed with the author. My friends had similar complaints about their comments on this blog.

What I have come to realize after this incidence is of the technique, the media uses to alter mass perception. This ongoing campaign of de-islamization in Pakistan by a handful of media commentators, some opinionated academic and journalists works by muting the mass uproar against them by censoring publication of such protests on media channels and newspapers owned and run by these elite, thereby, giving the illusion of acceptance of their contorted ideation by public. My personal experience of such censorship, and the acknowledgement of similar incidences by a few outspoken friends has re-enforced my fears about subjugation of freedom of speech and right to be heard in popular media of Pakistan. These industries chant about providing a platform to represent independence of thought to obtain diverse views essential for progress of a society. Yet, have no tolerance for alternate views, that too in matters and subjects where their own expertise is questionable.

I have also noticed a few media commentators with ulterior motives parrot their perspective about a particular event (sometimes irrelevant to subject of discussion) swerving the topic away from real issues and beating the bush about subjects of no real significance. Many a times these tangential conversations of traitors within our ranks oppose national interest of our country and Ummah at large.

After the veil of deception was lifted from my eyes, my restlessness grew to initiate efforts for breeding and circulation of truth. I know many concerned citizens are already playing their part. Some have formed collaborations to organize their efforts and obtain their goal. These chivalrous men who bravely face oppositions imposed by the targets of their satire are inspirational and give me courage to voice my concern about our society. I hope more people participate pro-actively in this wake up project instead of taking seats of passive spectators.