[icernet] Indo-Pak media perceptions of each other

[Arul Selvan]

Resilience and courage are two outstanding traits of the Pakistani 
media in view of the militarys domination of society
, says Sevanti 
Ninan, editor of The Hoot-a web-based publication dedicated exclusively 
to the press and media in South Asia. But, she adds, 
owners of 
Pakistani media dont spend much on news gathering. Very few papers have 
foreign bureaus and most of the world news in Pakistani papers is 
through the lens of the western foreign agencies.
 Commenting on the 
Indian press, she adds: 
In the last two decades the regional press in 
India has emerged on the scene. As for technology and innovation, it is 
the regional media that has taken the lead. For instance, it is our 
regional papers that went colour first. English media followed much 
later. Concept of `community journalism (catering to the information 
needs of people in every ward and village) was the contribution of the 
regional media.
 The Urdu media in India is in a dismal state, she says. 

Very few people are pursuing Urdu language and literature. As a result, 
Urdu readership is declining. Secondly, Urdu media-owners have not kept 
pace with technological changes and are not prepared to invest. But 
there is a silver lining on the horizon. A media group from Andhra 
Pradesh is soon going to launch an Urdu channel,
 she says. The 
estimated circulation of the Indian press is around 20 million. The 
circulation of English newspapers alone is around 6 million.

The Pakistani media has emerged in the last ten years as a very strong 
pillar of the state-the 5th pillar of the state. It has become very 
free, very independent. It is very highly thought of internationally and 
domestically. It is playing a very important role at the moment to 
support the democratic process. But my impression is, the India media is 
much more introspective, at least on foreign policy. Pakistani media is 
much freer, is much more critical. The Indian media is always been very 
supportive of government policies whereas the Pakistani media is much 
freer as far as foreign policy issues are concerned.

Source:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_4-5-2003_pg7_18

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