Thursday, January 29, 2009

Is He Ok ?



Image Courtesy: Google

During a meeting with a number of delegates belonging to the Sarhad Chambers of Commerce and Industry from the Frontier province, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari allegedly said that "journalists are the biggest terrorists." Zardari directly blamed the media for portraying the country in a negative way in respect to the deteriorating law and order situation in Pakistan. Soon after his statement, Information Minister Sherry Rehman denied it. However, The News, Pakistan's largest-circulated English daily, claimed that Zardari indeed insulted journalists, by describing them as the biggest terrorists. The Frontier businessmen said that Zardari told them at the meeting that the journalists were the biggest terrorists. No one can expect such irresponsible statements from the Head of the State. How can he blame journalists for the country's situation ? He must apologise to journalism fraternity of Pakistan.

26 comments:

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R. Ramesh said...

of course he has to apologise and will..

Devika Jyothi said...

Well, I do agree with Zardari to a 'certain' extent...

Many a journalists are playing an 'antisocial' role..knowingly or unknowingly

But then, Pakistani politics is a kind of dumb-charades to me...

wishes,
devika

अविनाश said...

Journalism is now playing a bigger role in even a country like pakistan which has long history of dictatorship government. But now things are changing there also. Politicians and Journalists are like spouse...they cant live survive each other nor they can move together.....

Lots of time media is targetted by govt when they are'nt pro-governement. Dont be surprised if Mr. Zaradari appologise as there are no permanenet friend or foein politics....

Regards

Devika Jyothi said...

Avinash, you said in the most correct sense :)

thank you, to you too Deepak..

wishes,
devika

Rakesh Vanamali said...

How can a man such as Zardari be categorized as normal??

Indrani said...

hmmm... Slip of tongue?!

Ruth said...

Oh dear!

Our journalists need to get more aggressive actually. Not as terrorists of course, that was silly! but also harmful to denigrate them that way.

Martin MY said...

I wouldn't trust any politician as far as I could thrown them, they are power crazy and sly with their words and promises, mnost unfortunately are to clever for their own good with their statements. This chap has no brains at all, how the hell did he get where is was with stupid staements such as this. He won't last long, or perhaps he will as to many in thhis own wountry e is a hero with such a statement. It this statement therefore a bluff?

Unknown said...

It's just incredible how politicians blame the press nowadays! Thanks to journalists we know a lot of things we couldn't even dream of, because they would be kept away from us. Scandals of corruption and others are brought to light thanks to the media!

Kadri Luik said...

While I agree that he was out of line when calling journalists terrorists I also think that there is a little hint of reality in his dislike of journalists.

The thing is that even the most impartial journalist can be fooled and tricked into spreading a message that's not true. Journalists that's partial is even more likely to spread untrue "news". Journalists are people just like the rest of us and they do make mistakes at times even though their best efforts to be factual.

The disinformation spread by journalists, intentionally as well as unintentionally, does paint a picture that isn't true. Sometimes to the disadvantage for the politicians and sometimes the other way around.

I know many journalists read this blog and I'm not trying to offend your or the blog owner, I'm just pointing out that there are bad apples in every bin so this is not really a case about smoke without fire even if what he said was unjustified and out of line.

Ire said...

Hey,

After all the accusations the Pakistani Media hurled at us for the 26/11 attacks, the Pakistani media has to an extent made a mockery of themselves. But Mr. Zardari cannot blame them. The fault lies in their system.

As journalists i is their duty to report accurate facts. Mr. Zardari has to apologise.

Anupama K. Mazumder said...

Its actually like this that a situation can take sharp turns depending on media hype! And a journalist is the link between a reader and the actual subject.. so if a journalist [although he is only human] mixes his emotions in what he reports, he may instigate many a turmoil.. he has that power. And Pak media is definitely in a mess at present. But I guess, Zardari could have reprimanded them in a much better way, rather than going public like this. Looks like mud-slinging, nothing else.

The Good Witch said...

I too agree with him to an extent.

Best example is the killing of Lasantha Wickramatunga of Sri Lanka which was directly related to his activities as editor of the Sunday Leader and his vocal criticism of government policies relating to the conflict in Sri Lanka.

Magdalena said...

recently media has been blamed about all kinds of political messages globally.

Tantra Flower said...

I am just stopping by to say hello Deepak. I hope you are doing well.

I find Asif Ali Zardari's statements to be appalling but I'm not sure what good an apology would do. It would be an empty one.

You take care. :)

Anonymous said...

politicians will always either fear the media or use it to its advantage. there are few politicians we can trust but let us hope for more responsible journalists, because these two sectors are the most powerful we have today.

angela said...

Interesting point...he will I suppose apologise. After all he has the most to lose..

Izcariot said...

i like the variety of topics in your blog, and i love the deepness in the point of view in the comments, but i would like to see more of your work as a photographer.

Thanks for the comments!!

Amrita said...

it's always the messenger who is killed or blamed..zardari is no exception in repeating the same..
such comments reveal that media is doing its job in pakistan perfectly..which unnerves zardari and his government..as they are not doing enough for their country...hope he apologises soon..

~PakKaramu~ said...

Pak Karamu visiting your blog

Lakshmi said...

lol..politicians just know how to shoot their mouths off without thinking..

R. Ramesh said...

there goes..deepak bhai..come back here on this blogggg....plzzz

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Ire said...

Update?