The Political Power of Mass Medi

[Riaz Ahmed Alizai]

Does the Social Media have political power? Has it been lately the factor behind
popular uprisings across the world or it is dependent on other causal variables? Has the virtual
world dried out the “existential” capacity of people by making them more active on media than
in reality or replaced it? Is it becoming a „part of a problem‟ or a „part of a solution‟? and when it
comes to Pakistan, such questions are frequently asked; “Is it promoting modernization or
westernization?”, “Are our news mediums agenda-based or agenda-specific?”, “Are they
empowering people and, thus, promoting democracy?”, “are our channels providing a platform to
terrorists to promote their cause”? and, more recently, “why Veena Malik case has been given a
religious touch instead of nationalistic?comments are invited please.

[aariz]

Does the Social Media have political power? Has it been lately the factor behind
popular uprisings across the world or it is dependent on other causal variables?

First of you should know what social media is. Social media is a virtual pillar of the government, and it has political interests. Furthermore, In today's globalized era, media is a center of power politics. Elections in the US is the best example.
Undoubtedly, it has been one of the factors behind popular uprising across the world. In Tunis, Television channles were banned, but the Tunisian people spread the rebellious thoughts through the internet-mainly using fb, orkut and twitter. Cell phones also add fuel in the jasmine revolution which became the epic center of the popular rebellion.
It is the media which is changing the mind set of the people. Media includes not only tv channels but internet too. Yes, it is dependent on other causal variables, mainly, support from the mass.

Is it becoming a „part of a problem‟ or a „part of a solution‟? and when it
comes to Pakistan, such questions are frequently asked; “Is it promoting modernization or
westernization?”

In my opinion keeping in context of Pakistan, media has not provided solutions coz it is corrupt and manipulative to some extent. Pakistani media, off-course, promoting westernization. KOI SHAK NAI.

“Are our news mediums agenda-based or agenda-specific?”, “Are they
empowering people and, thus, promoting democracy?”, “are our channels providing a platform to
terrorists to promote their cause”? and, more recently, “why Veena Malik case has been given a
religious touch instead of nationalistic


News mediums are both agenda-based and agenda -specific. Both agendas vary in e and print media.
referring to platform, i dont think channels are promoting their causes but some print literature is bucking up terrorists interest.
LOL Democracy....... Some notable anchors know about democracy, rest of just have bulk of questions from the editor and are directed to ask. Columnists, mostly belong to some particular political forces.

Veena Malik case.... it is better to ask her. Well, media needs topics to discuss. It is the duty. Sometimes, they come up with irrelevant issues. And Veena's issue was mishandled. I guess