From 'urging unity' to 'enthralling audience'

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 15 April 2012 |  Daud Malik

The article critiques overused phrases in Pakistani news and political coverage, such as leaders who repeatedly urge unity. It also highlights how cultural and sports events are routinely described as enthralling or mesmerizing audiences.

Summary

Some headlines have become inseparable part of our genes, culture and of course the media. They automatically step forth as soon as they are needed. They are so strongly embedded that even an effort to replace them seems like committing ‘blasphemy’. The ‘urge/call for unity’ is a must appearance. From time to time, the president and prime minister often ‘urge’ Muslims to unite.

They also ‘urge’ party workers to get united against ‘undemocratic forces’ as and when a political crisis brews.

On expressing solidarity with Kashmir cause, every leader wants “just and peaceful solution” but never fails to mention it should be “in accordance with the UN resolutions and the wishes of Kashmiri people.” Ironically people are constantly ‘found dead’. Sometimes they are even ‘found shot dead’.

And promotional events, especially those arranged by the newspapers themselves, are always “thronged”. A month back tent pegging, a popular cavalry sport, made a comeback to Islamabad after eight years. Galloping horsemen carrying a lance to pick up a small ground target was a spectacle for both electronic and print media.

Shots of horsemen succeeding in picking the symbolic tent peg were shown again and again by TV channels. On the other hand, newspapers made sure that they have the snap where the horsemen is about to or has just picked the ground target. But when it came to describing the action-packed sport, the most they could do was to “enthrall spectators”.

On a musical night in Peshawar “memorable singing” had also ‘enthralled audience”. Similarly Sufi singing “spread magic” in India last year, but didn’t forget – you guessed it – to “enthrall audience”. If by any chance the audience is not “enthralled”, they are “mesmerized”.

Sometimes even before the event is held, as a story in a national daily announced: “Music will not be silenced - a concert to celebrate Music Freedom Day - will mesmerize the fun lovers of the twin cities...” Plays or any cultural performance also end up “enthralling” the audience.

That is why last year “the artists, artisans and folk musicians” continued to “enthral visitors as a large number of people thronged the Lok Virsa at Shakarparian Hills to enjoy glimpses of Pakistan’s diverse and unique cultural heritage…” And a classical singer in Chakwal also – for the nth time – “enthrals” audience. (Daud Malik is a senior journalist who has worked for The News and Dawn)

KEY POINTS:

• The writer argues that certain headline phrases are deeply ingrained in Pakistani media culture.
• Examples include leaders urging Muslims and party workers to unite during crises.
• The article notes formulaic wording on Kashmir solidarity and frequent reports that people are found dead.
• It highlights stock descriptions of events, with audiences routinely said to be enthralled or mesmerized.
• The piece cites coverage of tent pegging, concerts and cultural festivals as examples of repetitive language.