Chitral News: The Medium is the Message

 -- Dr Mir Baiz Khan

For the last several years, the Chitral News has been a medium for raising issues that are of concern for the people of Chitral and for those who have an interest in the affairs of Chitral and care about its population. It has highlighted not only the day-to- day concerns of the people of Chitral but has also provided a medium through which a variety of perspectives on those issues are put forward. In doing so, it has evolved as well, refining its organizational framework, particularly its editorial policies, thus expanding its readership.

I have two major concerns regarding its future policies. First, will it stand steadfast in raising issues without being partisan or coming under pressure of those who feel embarrassed in raising them? Second, will it allow the diverse views and perspectives expressed while keeping high standards of journalism?

Let me first elaborate as to why I have chosen the title “the medium is the message.” I came across this phrase recently when the Canadian media celebrated the centenary of a Canadian journalist writer Marshal McLuhan recently who is said to have coined the phrase. The phrase in simple term means that the medium by which a message is conveyed influences how the message is perceived. Language in which the message is composed is one such medium and influences the perception of the message itself. Is the language used is civilized, inspiring, positive, convincing and indicative of the writer’s fair mindedness? Or the language is rejectionist, crude, insulting and personal? In both cases, the message can be influenced positively or negatively in the minds of the readers and reflects on the carrier of the message. In this case the Chitral News.

At times, when issues are raised, some readers take exception to be personal with crude language. The reason is that they, as Chitralis, feel embarrassed as if Chitral is a dwelling island of angels, nothing embarrassing can be expected to occur. Issues are raised so that ways and means to resolve them can be explored. Those who are raising them are serving the public interest. The more the issues remain covered, the more damaging they can become. We need to learn to agree to disagree with one another in a dignified way and respect other persons’ perspectives without necessarily agreeing with them. A glaring example is the concern expressed recently about the increasing cases of elopement. The author of the write-up on the Chitral News pointed out that there was a rising tendency among young people to go by their own decision in matter of marriage avoiding their parents and other members of their families and clans lest they create hurdles to their decisions. Is this something new in Chitral?

No, it is not. In the past they sought refuge in the court of the ruler or in the protection of an influential local family or religious figures. The fort of the ruler (Mehtar) would be one such sanctuaries for the runaway couples. In some cases, they were tragically killed under pressure and immortalized through moving Khowar songs. So, there is no reason why one should feel embarrassed about it and use absolutely unacceptable language to discredit the author. The commentator on the article suggests that such issues should not be highlighted in the Chitral News because it has embarrassed him in the eyes of those among whom he now lives.

There are certain points in the article I do not agree with. For instance, suggesting that there was a need to curb the tendency of elopement. Curbing is not a solution; it is a strangulation of young people’s emotions and aspirations to make decisions as to how they want to build families. Where will they turn to in situations in which these young emotionally charged people find themselves? Are there services available to these young people within the communities to go to without fear of being punished or being subjected to mockery? Clan status, religion, parental preferences, a culture of honor embarrassment, all drive these young people to take extreme action such as running away and being disowned by parents, outcast by communities, committing suicide or being killed by their fathers or brothers. So, the focus should be, not on the individuals, but on their dilemmas and emotionally charged situations.

They represent a social issue which needs to be addressed in a manner that young people can have trust that they are being helped rather than being subjected to emotional criminalization. Curbing through legal and administrative action would be a disaster not a solution to the problem. Having disagreements like this with Islamuddin, I very much respect his views and appreciate his perceptive and bold analysis of sensitive issues. Suggesting to the Chitral News to not publish such intellectual write-ups makes me worry lest its editor comes under the pressure of those who behave like ostriches, putting their heads in the sand, and thinking that issues do not exist or they should be ignored out of embarrassment.

It is my hope and I am sure many of Chitral News readers share this hope with me, that it will remain non-partisan in its coverage allowing a variety of perspectives while keeping the standard of civility as its ethical benchmark. -- Dr. Mir Baiz Khan Toronto, Canada,13 Sep 2011.)
 

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