Western media

Published August 1, 2014

A FEW days ago the BBC gave live coverage of the ceremony held at Eindhoven airbase, the Netherlands, to receive the remains of the victims of flight MH17.

What a beautiful and touching ceremony it was, with the Dutch queen and her consort, the prime minister and other dignitaries there to receive them.

What struck the viewer the most, was the respect the media showed for the families of those who perished in the air crash. Not a glimpse of one of them, though the viewers were told they were present at the airbase.

It was remarkable respect for their privacy in this hour of great grief. How different it is to the Pakistani media. The local media, on the other hand, asks the family of the victim all sorts of foolish questions.

They enter homes and bedrooms armed with cameras, show personal belongings and crying faces. Perhaps it is time they learnt how to report on such situations with professionalism which they lack.

Ayesha Mahmud
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2014

Opinion

The Dar story continues

The Dar story continues

One wonders what the rationale was for the foreign minister — a highly demanding, full-time job — being assigned various other political responsibilities.

Editorial

Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.
All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...