Journalism may mean many things to many people. Journalistic ethics, like ethics in general, can assume different definitions, boundaries and implications for different people. However, yesterday I woke up to a piece of youtube that disturbed me. It also disturbed a number of former DawnNews colleagues. And also some outside observers. I concluded it has to be disturbing in general, or at least I hope so.
So what is journalistically wrong with this piece?
At the expense of sounding super simplistic, and a bit like a school teacher, I want to keep my comments to basic yays and nays for journalists.
You are not the judge: As a reporter, please try to refrain from passing out judgments on people facing charges. Let the process of law and justice take its course without handing out opinions of what you think happened. Every man is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Tell us what happened, what the man said, what the facts are, don’t tell us what you think happened, you are not that important and we are not very interested.
You are not the police, moral or otherwise: You are not out in the field to tell people the consequences of their actions. Don’t tell them they are going to hell, don’t tell them their children are going to suffer a terrible fate and definitely don’t tell them that they deserve to die. These instructions seem to be too obvious to discuss, but as in instances like these we are unpleasantly surprised. As a reporter I want to know what the law says about such cases, what punishment can this man possibly get if convicted, and what are the statistics for child rape cases in the area.
Let others talk: It might come as a surprise but the point of journalism is all about letting the people in the story talk. Please don’t show us a four and half minute piece with two words from someone other than you. Its a simple idea but one that many Pakistani journalists seem to forget. Brace yourself and let the people tell the story. The real job of a journalist is to ask tough questions. And yes, wait for the answers.
Keep your notions and beliefs to yourself: In a country ruled by majorities, Pakistanis easily forget and discount all other cultures, beliefs, religions and ideas when they start talking. As a journalist you not only have to remember to talk to all sides of the story, you must also make sure that you keep your personal assumptions out of your questioning. Don’t assume what a person believes and to whom he is answerable. Don’t threaten him with religious consequences that might not even be his own.
Also, while the rape of a six-year old girl is immensely disturbing, there is no way the rape of an adult woman will be less so. In this piece the reporter not only passes judgment, threatens and talks incessantly, she also says to the man facing charges whether he couldn’t find an older woman. That, is unacceptable. As a reporter, please be aware of each word that comes out of your mouth. That’s your job.
Stay calm: Don’t make the story about your voice and your pain. The story is about the six-year-old girl, it is about her parents and it is about the society they are in. It is definitely not about how hurt you are about this, how angry this makes you and as a reporter there must be a concerted effort on your part to make sure this is not about you. Yelling and screaming just cheapens the story, reduces it to a street brawl, and the people in your story deserve more.
This is not to discount the anger and frustration journalists feel everyday as they look at the reality of the world, sometimes in its ugliest form. But as agents of change, sometimes advocates of change, we, as journalists, need to apply a higher standard of restrictions on ourselves. We need to feel the weight of letting each side get a chance to the “truth”. We need to feel and carry a responsibility towards our viewers and readers in the information we feel them and believe they have the ability to decide and judge for themselves.
Nadia,
I think it’s very important that you have put this commentary of yours up. The trouble is, your viewpoint is likely to be spread and shared by people who are not too many degrees of separation from you in all likelihood, even with internet sharing.
What is a very pertinent personal analysis on your part, is something that should be developed into some sort of conduct code for reporting in Pakistan, so that all media people with the power of reaching out to millions through a TV or radio, think carefully about how emotions inflame sensitive topics like these.
Regards,
K
A very well compiled article on professionalism of a journalist. Professionalism is very essential in all trades of a working person’s life and unfortunately it is largely missing in almost all areas in this country. The author couldn’t have said it much better. The key in any work or job is to exclude your personal feelings/emotions that do not share the same interest than that of the actual goal of the job.
Journalists in Pakistan need to know their responsibilities. Dawn news is the best news channel in Pakistan ant they should implement a code of conduct for their journalists. Very good article!
I agree that its height of unprofessional attitude but after all we all are human beings and some instances bursts our tolerance. As part of this society, rape cases might be a routine news for us, but only few peoples can feel the pain of victims, I think journalist feel her self in the jacket of victim and her family. So this behavior is a healthy sign that we are not robots.
a very nice analysis… our media has come into a habit of making heroes and zeroes, famous and notorious, right and wrong. We need a legislation to implement media ethics as well
excellent article !! this women is literally crazy
a journalist has to be neutral no matter what!
good work!
The worst tv reporting i have seen in sometime. The lady needs to be taken off air and should be taeched some basics of journalism. She is what is wrong with pakistan and our media.
Unfortunate incident, but good job Nadia. I also won’t single out one person, but yes articles like these can make the difference. I think it is time to debate whether or not journalists should be licensed to work, just like the doctors and lawyers. Yours’ is a carefully-written piece. That coverage surely needed an autopsy.
But I am unable to understand how come, and why was this aired at all? A policy decision or a costly overlook?
Excellent article, concerned peoples must learn from this !
So sad what’s become of dawnnews
Awais has rightly said ‘why this was allowed to air at all’. Nadia has raised good points. But, all should know these are not journalists in the first instance. How can they be responsible? This is the dilemma with the broadcast media in Pakistan.
You’re quite right Ahmad. In my recent discussions with news producers it seems that this is not a job that requires responsibility and rules anymore. It has become just a job. And many of those on the ‘job’ these days have never even viewed journalism as something more. How can they apply any ethics to their journalism, if they are not even aware that those values exist? It is crucial they know that the role of journalism is as a pillar of strength for the people, for democracy. It can’t just be a job. Or worst yet, a pillar for a specific side. Society will be forever unbalanced.