Can films fight terrorism? Dawn raises doubts

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published March 30, 2025 at 05:34 pm |  JP Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Dawn expressed disappointment on Sunday over a high-powered committee’s discussion on using TV dramas and films to combat terrorism and extremism, questioning the practicality of such an approach amid Pakistan’s economic challenges and evolving media landscape.

In its editorial, Hard Habits, the newspaper acknowledged that while state-sponsored productions in the 1990s successfully stirred patriotism, today’s digital era presents a vastly different scenario. With smartphones and streaming platforms offering global content, local productions now compete in an oversaturated market where high production values often outweigh messaging.

The Harden the State Committee, led by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, aims to launch a national campaign against extremism. However, Dawn raised concerns over the feasibility of expensive TV and film projects, given Pakistan’s financial constraints.

“Dramas and films require massive investments, with no guarantee of success. Given the country’s economic situation, can we afford such ventures?” the editorial questioned. It urged policymakers to address the root causes of militancy rather than relying on the media as a quick fix.

کیا فلمیں دہشت گردی سے لڑ سکتی ہیں؟ ڈان نے شکوک و شبہات کا اظہار کر دیا

اسلام آباد—ڈان نے اتوار کو ایک اعلیٰ سطحی کمیٹی کے اجلاس پر مایوسی کا اظہار کیا، جس میں دہشت گردی اور انتہا پسندی کے خلاف ڈراموں اور فلموں کے استعمال پر بات ہوئی۔ اخبار نے تجویز پر سوال اٹھاتے ہوئے کہا کہ موجودہ معاشی اور میڈیا کے بدلتے منظر نامے میں یہ حکمت عملی کتنی کارآمد ثابت ہوگی۔

اداریے "ہارڈ ہیبٹس" میں ڈان نے تسلیم کیا کہ 1990 کی دہائی میں ریاستی سرپرستی میں بننے والے ڈراموں نے عوام میں جوشِ حب الوطنی پیدا کیا، لیکن آج کے ڈیجیٹل دور میں صورتحال یکسر مختلف ہے۔ اسمارٹ فونز اور اسٹریمنگ پلیٹ فارمز نے بین الاقوامی مواد تک رسائی آسان بنا دی ہے، جس میں مقامی پروڈکشنز کے لیے جگہ بنانا مشکل ہو چکا ہے۔

اندرونی وزیر محسن نقوی کی سربراہی میں بننے والی "ہارڈن دی اسٹیٹ کمیٹی" کا مقصد انتہا پسندی کے خلاف قومی مہم چلانا ہے۔ تاہم، ڈان نے ٹی وی اور فلموں کے مہنگے منصوبوں پر تشویش کا اظہار کیا، خاص طور پر ملک کی موجودہ معاشی حالت کو دیکھتے ہوئے۔

اداریے میں سوال اٹھایا گیا: "ڈرامے اور فلمیں بنانے کے لیے بھاری سرمایہ درکار ہوتا ہے، جس کی کامیابی کی کوئی ضمانت نہیں۔ کیا پاکستان اس وقت ایسے مہنگے منصوبوں کا متحمل ہو سکتا ہے؟" اخبار نے پالیسی سازوں کو تنبیہ کی کہ وہ انتہا پسندی کی بنیادی وجوہات پر توجہ دیں، نہ کہ میڈیا کو فوری حل سمجھیں۔

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