Media plays 'no ball' in cricket

 

The world cup semifinal match between Pakistan and India has concluded with the better playing team winning the game. However the Media (both in Pakistan and India) has clearly played foul in this game by over hyping it to unacceptable limits.

 

People of the subcontinent are known to possess weak nerves compared to western people due to genetic reasons and dietary habits etc. It is very easy to whip up frenzy on any issue out here as is well established over the centuries. The media should realise this and not play with the emotions of the people.

 

Here in Pakistan the semi final match was clearly set as a war with the enemy. Any body saying 'let a game be a game, and let the better playing team win'  was accused of lacking patriotism . Even the prayer leader of the biggest mosque in Chitral led a collective prayer for Pakistan's victory against 'enemy Hindus'.

 

The adverse effects of over projection on the players by the media is also obvious. If a player can turn from a hero to a rascal at the throw of a ball, what emotional stability could be expected from him. It is because of this sense of insecurity that now and then we see players getting involved in match fixings to earn some bucks which at the end of the day are their most trusted friends.

 

India and Pakistan need sensibility and reasons to exist as good neighbours and not look for victory over each other every where. People in both countries are fighting their wars against poverty and corruption. We should together fight against our common enemies in the form of economic weakness, lack of education, lack of social  justice, lack of tolerance etc, instead of taking on each other at every opportunity and the media should help in this, otherwise, as the punjabi maxim says 'bhookay nay bhookay ki pitaiee ki, donon noo ghash pai gaiay' -- both the countries would continue to be losers.  (CN Editorial 31 Mar 2011)