Western media’s war on Pakistan

[TruthSeeker]

I agree with much of Dr. Pirzada's analysis. As a consumer of Western media, it is apparent, however, that the media treats many, many stories with rigid ideological templates, driven by Coastal American and European concepts of what is best for mankind. For example, witness the shaping of information around the template of man-made global warming. I'm just saying that not only Pakistan, but many other groups and causes are maligned by the herd behavior of the Global mainstream media.

It is hard to imagine how a Media Study Institute of Pakistan could counteract this juggernaut, in the absence of Pakistani unity. I think the single biggest change Pakistan could make would be to become unified politically in establishing what it's priorities are, and then fight back by convincing opinion makers that Pakistan has a vision and it is going to pursue it come h3ll or high water. Of course, the political priorities cannot be more than 3 or 4. What would they be? For example, (1) Full political integration of ALL Pakistanis under the same government forms, (2) Disarming and dissolving non-State armed groups, (3) creation of a primary thru university education system that serves all , and (4) peace with India.

IMHO, Pakistan cannot successfully push back hard against the "failed-State" template being thrust upon it, until it develops a unified sense of national purpose and an enthusiastic citizenry behind it.

 

[r3alist]

These types pf psy-ops are a stonecold FACT.

The next step is what do we do to counter them?

I think if we can come up with a strategy we can do alot, as long as we have UNITY, I am sure we have the talent and drive to make a tangible impact in the domain of media and information "warfare".

Evidently we all have basic computer skills and can use the internet, thus there is already something we can all do, lets remember this people.

 

[dbc]

These types pf psy-ops are a stonecold FACT.

The next step is what do we do to counter them?

I think if we can come up with a strategy we can do alot, as long as we have UNITY, I am sure we have the talent and drive to make a tangible impact in the domain of media and information "warfare".

Evidently we all have basic computer skills and can use the internet, thus there is already something we can all do, lets remember this people.

An article on a weather website recently lamented the absence of any Atlantic storms so far this hurricane season. The media is looking for storms, destruction and loss of life anything sensational that will help increase readership. Of late, Pakistan has been the source of many such events. Psy-ops? Not really, bad news sells period.

 

[Spring Onion]

An article on a weather website recently lamented the absence of any Atlantic storms so far this hurricane season. The media is looking for storms, destruction and loss of life anything sensational that will help increase readership. Of late, Pakistan has been the source of many such events. Psy-ops? Not really, bad news sells period.

Agreed with sensational part. At times i think what will the media be it international or local one, put as a lead story when this war on terror is over.

Half of the news channels here will close down thats my opinion.

The psy-ops has always been there viz a viz western, US medai. Its just that now this craze for psy-ops have done away with media ethics.

 

[r3alist]

An article on a weather website recently lamented the absence of any Atlantic storms so far this hurricane season. The media is looking for storms, destruction and loss of life anything sensational that will help increase readership. Of late, Pakistan has been the source of many such events. Psy-ops? Not really, bad news sells period.

thats an ahistorical view which is continuosly discredited time and time again.

its very obvious that from the iraq war that there were government directives on the propaganda to dish out since it is a matter of critical importance, well we are seeing the same with pakistan and have seen the same before whenever required.


the hysteria over pakistans nukes being taken over by the taliban is analogous to the wmd in iraq lies, totally baseless but its propaganda for the masses (dished up in plenty of so called intellectual journals)

 

[SQ8]

So if the WMD propaganda/lie/network gimmick led to the invasion of Iraq.. whats in store for us??

 

[Spring Onion]

So if the WMD propaganda/lie/network gimmick led to the invasion of Iraq.. whats in store for us??

Low intensity invasion.

 

[S-2]

"its very obvious that from the iraq war that there were government directives on the propaganda..."

Was it obvious?

Can you provide a link to a "directive"? From whom? To whom?

Fascinating. I know what the term "directives" conjures in my conspiratorial mind. How about yours?

I await your sourced reply.

 

[r3alist]

"its very obvious that from the iraq war that there were government directives on the propaganda..."

Was it obvious?

Can you provide a link to a "directive"? From whom? To whom?

Fascinating. I know what the term "directives" conjures in my conspiratorial mind. How about yours?

I await your sourced reply.

no worries buddy.


take a look at this one example, it illustrates my point nicely.

now match this back to the coverage of the "event" - completely synthetic creation from some pentagon propaganda unit, its undeniable.






i await your admission of the above

 

[Developereo]

Though i have to agree the standard of reporting in Pakistan ( and a lot of other countires ) does need improving, it would be nice to see an article in the Daily that doesnt start Its India's fault.....

Not to engage in a tit-for-tat, but Pakistani media like DAWN.com are far more balanced vis-a-vis India/Pakistan relations than most Indian media. Even many Indians acknowledge that most Indian media is right wing and blames Pakistan for every traffic accident and monsoon rain within India. The people in Pakistan who blame India for everything tend to be perceived like Fox News.

There really is no world media conspiracy against pakistan, sadly there is hardly any media coverage about Pakistan which considering its importance is why myself and many others search out sites like this to get information.

The Western media tends to give a fairly balanced view of most countries, except when it comes to Muslims. There is hardly any positive news reported about Muslims, even though you would think that 1.2 billion people would have some good things happening.

Muslims have been reduced to a stereotype in a simplistic good v/s evil narrative that makes for good sensationalism and gives the average 9-5 Joe a sense of superiority over "them barbarians".

 

[gambit]

Muslims have been reduced to a stereotype in a simplistic good v/s evil narrative that makes for good sensationalism and gives the average 9-5 Joe a sense of superiority over "them barbarians".

Perhaps you do not know how we are perceived by muslims, based upon their beliefs? That we are also 'barbarians', dirty, and condemned to hell? Do not tell me this is not true. I have not led a sheltered life. I have been to the ME and experienced the true attitudes from the average 9-5 muslim who have their own sense of superiority over US 'barbarians'.

 

[Vassnti]

Not to engage in a tit-for-tat, but Pakistani media like DAWN.com are far more balanced vis-a-vis India/Pakistan relations than most Indian media.

I did not mean to imply by omission that Pakistani media was any more or less biased than india or other media for that matter. Apologies for my careless wording.

 

[Developereo]

It is hard to imagine how a Media Study Institute of Pakistan could counteract this juggernaut, in the absence of Pakistani unity.

True. This will be difficult but at the very least we can learn better techniques to counter Western psy-ops within Pakistan to foster a greater sense of national unity and solve Pakistan's internal problems which you mentioned below.

I think the single biggest change Pakistan could make would be to become unified politically in establishing what it's priorities are, and then fight back by convincing opinion makers that Pakistan has a vision and it is going to pursue it come h3ll or high water. Of course, the political priorities cannot be more than 3 or 4. What would they be? For example, (1) Full political integration of ALL Pakistanis under the same government forms, (2) Disarming and dissolving non-State armed groups, (3) creation of a primary thru university education system that serves all , and (4) peace with India.

Agree with everything except the part about India. We all want peace with India, but on our terms. We do not want to be pushed into this just to please Western media pundits.

The other suggestions are 100% correct. Pakistan needs to become a strong country economically, socially and culturally -- both within and in terms of external influence. This we need for our own sake, not to gain approval of the Western media.

If Pakistan had a powerhouse economy, top-notch universities churning out scientific breakthroughs, and world class performances in athletics and culture, the Western media couldn't possibly ignore these achievements. It would also form a snowball effect in terms of the country's morale -- the way India is doing.

As it is, we are dormant in these fields, so the Western media can capitalize on the negative events.

 

[Developereo]

Perhaps you do not know how we are perceived by muslims, based upon their beliefs? That we are also 'barbarians', dirty, and condemned to hell? Do not tell me this is not true. I have not led a sheltered life. I have been to the ME and experienced the true attitudes from the average 9-5 muslim who have their own sense of superiority over US 'barbarians'.

Well, I wouldn't deny that some Muslims perceive non-Muslims that way. There is a lot of cultural arrogance and ignorance on all sides.

But I think you will find that most educated Muslims admire the West for its contributions to science and knowledge in general, as well as democracy and social institutions.

 

[Durran3]

Not really, bad news sells period.

Surely we don't want to see kittens being rescued from high tree tops