Letter to the Ministry of external affairs regarding sensationalized reporting on Pakistan.

To,

The Secretary,

Ministry of External Affairs

Government of India

New Delhi

Subject: Regarding sensationalized reporting by Press on neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan.

Sir,

I am Aditya Thakur, a resident of 5/426 Viram Khand, Gomtinagar, Lucknow. I am a student of Class XII in Police Modern School. Apart from studies at school, I have also got interest in social activities and have been involved in social activism too. As a citizen and an activist, I find that people should strive to struggle towards world peace, as that would be the guarantee to a safe and prosperous future.

Through this letter, I want to bring a very disheartening fact to your notice. Although, India as a country has always been a profound believer in peace and world stability, there have been some elements in society that have been spewing hate against particular nations including India’s most immediate neighbour Pakistan. Very unfortunately, various TV media channels have also been acting as a catalyst in this entire process. A recent example of this was a news report broadcasted by a TV channel ‘India News’. The news report was regarding the polio epidemic in Pakistan and was titled, ‘Langda Pakistan’ or ‘Lame Pakistan’. While the issue raised was serious, the whole report was full of stereotypes, denigrations and sensationalized news. The report consistently addressed Pakistan as, ‘duniya ko tabaah karne ke sapne dekhne waala’, which can be translated into, ‘The Pakistan which dreams of destroying the whole world into shambles.’ Various other dialogues such as, ‘bomb ka kya karoge Pakistan, khaoge?’ (Translating into: ‘What would you do of bombs, would you eat it?’), and ‘do boond se mat daro, Pakistan’ (Don’t be afraid of Polio drops), were also used. The manner in which all these dialogues were spoken was insulting and objectionable. Not only this report, but various earlier media reports have been showing Pakistan not only in a negative light, but have been denigrating the neighbouring country and a large section of media has been hurling abuses at the country.

The relations between India and Pakistan have already been very strained. Both the countries have learnt many lessons from the past and have been striving towards peace and harmony in the subcontinent. In such times when two countries are trying to forgive and forget the mistakes of past, efforts to fuel hatred towards either of the two countries can result into serious outcomes. If the media also gives air to these attempts, the result would be devastating for the future of the whole Indian subcontinent. If such a thing happens, all the labors of the Indian and Pakistani Governments to establish peace can fade away.

Analyzing the whole situation it is very important for the Ministry of External Affairs to dissuade any such attempts to promote hatred among countries. Although rational and academic criticism shall be endorsed, all attempts of sensationalizing news regarding any foreign nation particularly India’s immediate neighbours shall be brought to an end.

Thus, by the means of this letter, I strongly suggest you to take this issue in your cognizance and to take suitable action needed to stop the circulation of any kind of sensationalized reports with regards to foreign nations in both the Print and Electronic Media that wish to disturb international peace. I hope that you will understand the gravity of the situation and will take the needful action required.

Thank you,  Aditya Thakur 5/426 Viram Khand Gomtinagar Lucknow # 8115707172 Email ID: adityat100@gmail.com