The role of Media and police in Pakistan – Daily Notable – Blog
Media is considered to be the fourth pillar of state. There is no doubt that the role of media as a watchdog that is most significant to unearth the skeletons in the cupboard. The role of media is multifaceted in respect of professional work, generation and dissemination of information.
The emerging trends support social media which is a source of rapid information. Police as an institution plays an important and significant role in maintaining law and order, protection of life and property of people. The media plays a cardinal role in building and marring as well the image of police. The role of media works at the policy as well as operational level.
In order to foster better relations and to avoid confusion, Punjab Police Information Branch (PPIB) has been established at the level of Central Police Office (CPO).
PPIB will be headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police. The assistant of PPIO will be of 17th and 18th grade officers.
The current head is DIG Sohail Akhtar Sukhera who sits in the Central Police Office. The prime objective of PPIB would be to build better image of police through timely dissemination of positive, unambiguous and vivid information to media houses.
The confusion at the time of any mishap or misadventure veers the direction of media about any happening. In order to avert confusion and chaos, timely dissemination of information to concerned quarters is indispensable.
No one can gainsay the fact that the media in all its forms and manifestations can build or destroy the image of police.
At this critical juncture, the informed Public opinion plays a crucial role in fostering the better image of police. The public impression about police is based on two reasons, the first and foremost is media portrayals and the second is personal interactions with public.
The depiction of highhandedness, brutality, insensitivity and flagrant corruption of police will definitely mar the image of police and widen the deficit of trust between public and police.
The repeated negative coverage of police vitiates the confidence of the community on Police. They consider the police as an enemy and begin to hate police and disenchanted upon witnessing the continuity of malpractices.
The Musharaf era had witnessed the emergence of a plethora of TV channels, public and private Radio stations and variegated electronic media in Pakistan.
The multitude of TV channels tarnishes the fair image of journalism through indulging in unfair practices; the ethics became the first causality. The influx of social media tools such as Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, whats app and blogs has rendered police more vulnerable in case of any access and mistreatment of any citizen.
In the wake of vibrant social media, the establishment of PPIB is conducive to build the image of police, broadcasting police performance, news and shaping the views of opinion leaders. Nevertheless, there is lot of requirement that warrants attention of higher police hierarchy.
The establishment of PPIO should be going down to the level of District and unit level. The dedicated staff having experience of in page, coral draw, Photoshop and office management is need of the time. Acknowledging this reality FM radio station and YOU Tube channels of police should be launched.
This would be modest effort to build the image of police. The initiation and participation of FM Radio and digital channels of police will definitely help police in establishing the trust and effective communication directly with the public.
Media plays a ponderous role in highlighting shortcomings and emphasis areas that urgently embrace the need of improvement.
The mimickery and farcical play on the stage dramas undermines the image of police. Media is suppose to play its role of watchdog and setting the agenda to reform police through highlighting its shortcomings, manhandling, corruption and incompetence on the part of police in handling crime , law and order situation in society.
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Poverty breeds crime. The rising surge of crime is bigger outcome of rampant poverty and public insecurity in Pakistan. Police is expected to combat crime, raid and arrest criminals, quelling protests and above protecting the life and property of citizens.
Police is fighting on different fronts but the welfare and well being of police officers/ Officials is meager and absolutely non-existent.
There is no quality education; health services and lodging of police officers, this sorry state of affairs definitely exhaust the morale of police officers in the junior ranks.
The role of media is not at all impartial and unbiased in reporting about police. The media has developed predilections to please the public than exposing the truth which irks the police.
Media should highlight the limited resources of police department. Media can play a vital role in exposing not only the human rights violation and police excesses but also work impartially to raise awareness for reforming the police and glorifying the positive work, achievements and sacrifices of police in the line of duty.
The role of Public relation officers has grown more important with the establishment of PPIB. There is an urgent need to create infrastructure, train the PROs and develop Standard operating procedures to deal social media in a befitting and intelligent way.
The trained dedicated staff is need of the hour. The positive work of police needs to be highlighted. The cordial relationship with media is definitely at the heart of establishing Punjab Police information Branch (PPIB) and can be materialized through sincere and professional expertise of Punjab police information Officer (PPIO) and Public relation officers (PROs).
The role of media becomes more important due to 5th generation warfare. The veracity of information goes a long way in building the trust of media houses. Social media requires being more diligent and pragmatic in broadcasting information in the wake of a globalized world.
The PPIB give forth a robust and dynamic role in order to subside the ignominious and calumnious news that surfaces to denigrate the image of police. The image building of police, cordial and well-knitted relationship with Media should be the prime and potent objective of Punjab Police Information Branch (PPIB).-PUNA
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Sir, Thanks a lot for publishing my article in your prestigious paper.
The role of Media is crucial one. The positivity of media goes a long way to steer clear of anomic tendencies in society. The police should help people in distress. High handedness is blot on the fair image of police.