Any freedom comes with some moral obligations. Media in Pakistan got its freedom but unfortunately it forgot all its obligations to society, culture and religion. The recent wave of projecting Indian culture on Pakistani Media has raised concern among Pakistanis. At times such news item appear on screen that one feels embarrassing to watch on particularly when accompanying family.
There is a growing concern among the masses that Geo is openly promoting Indian culture and values in Pakistan through its private channels Geo News, Geo Entertainment and Geo Super. It is a known fact that India has been promoting its culture through Bollywood movies and dramas, but seeing a Pakistani channel promoting it so vigorously raises concerns for their credibility and intentions about working on some other “hidden agenda”.
The other day I was sitting with my 7 year old nephew, watching Geo News, and suddenly this ‘Chicknee Chamelli’ song started showing in Geo News main headlines. I have to change the channel quickly as I cannot watch this song along with my nephew. I am pretty sure; other families would have faced with similar situation. Indian movies have to go through their censor board and are rated for certain age level audience, but unfortunately, Geo doesn’t have a any censor board or ask viewers beforehand that the following news may not be suitable for younger audience.
As a Pakistani living in UK, I have been following BBC for many years, but I have never seen BBC main news to show a French or German movie trailer. On the other hand, Geo news never fails to mention about the latest Bollywood movies, their box office performance or actors personal life as part of their main news. As a Pakistani living abroad, I turn on Geo news to get information about Pakistan and what is going around the country, but all I found is information about Indian movies and actors. If I am interested in them, I would watch an Indian news channel which will give me more up to date and accurate information. It could happen once or twice and I can ignore it, but if it happens continuously it makes me curious why Geo is doing it?