“A FISH can’t see the water it swims in.” This is a powerful phrase used by the proponents of Social Constructivism Theory. The basic agenda is that the reality around us is built by the influential forces that handle the circulation of facts and information in a society.

This is precisely the reason why restrictions upon media are the priorities of an authoritarian regime.

Wayne C. McWilliams writes in The World since 1945 that other than the issues of political representation and proximity, the ultimate reason for the East Pakistan debacle was a natural disaster when a powerful cyclone in 1970 hit the area leaving 200,000 lifeless and more than a million displaced. Immediately on its heels came the man-made disaster of subjugation of the political leaders by the military dictatorship.

This line of thought opens entirely new ways of justifying the rebellion that followed later. India then played the devil’s advocate and used its 1,000 miles of territory between the two wings to block all links between them.

Information, indeed, does wonders. It feeds the thought process just like music nourishes the soul.

Confining media and limiting information sources hinder the formation of opinions and make the public believe exactly what others want. They use language and technological barriers to maintain the dark one-sided perspective. Denying people avenues to criticise is an abuse of human rights.

Isn’t it time we learnt lessons from past follies to ensure a bright future?

Sobia Mansoor

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2017