Propaganda week
This was last week’s Newsweek cover story on Pakistan:
This scare story was loaded with terrorism hype. By the time I finished the story, it seemed like jihadis were on the verge of overrunning not only Islamabad but India too. And yet with all the advantages of Musharraf’s rigging, Islamist parties crested at a tiny minority of votes in the last election.
Check out the photos in the print edition, all foreboding black and white like a cheesy re-enactment by a TV crime show:
- Cover: Scary, screaming, bearded man
- First photo: Bleeding man lying on road, pierced with shrapnel from the Bhutto attack, looking directly at the camera. This is the kind of gruesome verité the American media refuse to show about Americans at home or American soldiers in Iraq, but think it perfectly acceptable to show about those not like us. I’m in favor of showing it all, not this disgusting double standard.
- Second: Osama bin Laden t-shirt vendor
- Third: Bullet-pocked walls
- Fourth: Street scene with signs in Urdu / Arabic script
- Fifth: Bearded mullah and a Koran
Here’s the thing — it’s a milestone that the media are beginning to drop the artificial he-says-she-says between India and Pakistan. They’re beginning to report the ISI and Pakistani military’s continued support of terrorism, and the fact that Islamists in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are far more dangerous than was the tinpot dictator of Iraq. Some of the content of the story is excellent.
But its packaging and tone are yellow journalism at its worst, ignoring everyday life in Pakistan and puffing up a tiny circle of jihadists using the trashiest techniques of propaganda.
on Sunday, October 28th, 2007, 11:58 pm in Media, Pakistan, Photographs, Politics › 
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But when it comes to trashing BJP-VHP-RSS it doesn’t matter - I guess.
Unlike Gujarat, Pakistan didn’t elect the jihadis chief minister.
the picture in the middle of the cover photo looks like our old friend, “rage boy” who happens to be a kashmiri from india, not pakistani.
photo shop?
Well, in this case they are like “us” … depends on the definition of “us”.
Kautilya,
It’s definitely not “rage boy” - the teeth aren’t a match at all. I saw that original wire photo that Newsweek chose to use on their cover when it was originally published, but must not have discussed it, seeing how I can’t find it in my archives. It was definitely from a Pakistani protest, either from Lahore or Karachi, but I don’t recall what was being protested. It might have been one of the periodic anti-Musharraf rallies, but I don’t know for sure.
Regards,
Brian (snapped shot)
The state sponsored terrorism by Pakistan’s establishment (ISI & Army complex) is much worse. If you don’t consider this - you are bending your back to give Pakistan benefit of doubt.
Manish:
You are under the assumption that jihadists are going to the ballot box to achieve their objective. As we all know, radical Islamists are contemptuous of democracy, even when they participate in it. No. They extend their influence in more insidious ways– the army. Zia lasting legacy was his Islamization campaign, especially of the military: before that, Pakistan’s military was filled by a bunch of Sandhurst-trained, whiskey-swilling, womanizing officer corp; now, they have more in common with Islamists than with Jinnah. And Islamists control governments in NWFP and Balochistan. So we shouldn’t dismiss their influence outright.
tsk tsk… we all look the same to the foren eye.
hmm… I can see a spoof in my mind - ‘terrorist eye for the straight guy’.
synopsis “____ guy dating ___ chick who is berating him for not being ethnocentric. enter the terrorist eye who spiffs up apartment with ied’s, torture chambers. dresses guy in ammo belt etc… ” you catch the drift.
Casting call: All in the GTA who’d like to participate in this sketch , pls post here [age, caste, religion, color, gender no bar.]. it’ll be fun and we’ll drink loads of lassi. I’ll provide the videocam.
Neither the ISI nor the dictator were elected. Regardless, apples and oranges.
This is not Afghanistan. The Pakistani elite autarchy is unlikely to fall to a bunch of suicidal irregulars, with or without sympathizers in the military. All you see in A Mighty Heart or scare stories like this are the jihadis rather than Pakistanis’ everyday lives.
Manish - you seem to go extra mile to defend which is indefensible. The dictator won the referendum in Pakistan to be the President.
Plus, you are happy to mention most Pakistani’s go about everyday lives - but seem to imply the Gujarati’s don’t by saying they elected a Jihadi chief minister.
To me you come across as some one - who looks to find fault with BJP brigade in everything they do - but try to find excuses when it comes to Jihadi Muslims complex. Way to go buddy.
This last referendum was rigged, Mush is at 24% popularity. Or don’t you read the news?
False. And I noticed you haven’t denounced Caligula, sir, so your Pakistan views are obviously suspect.
screw Iran.. attack Pakistan???? …..anyone…??
I am so freaking tired of the attacks by the ‘you condemn this but didnt condemn xyz’ brigade at SM and now apparently at Ultrabrown as well.
ACD,
I absolutely agree, who are these people? It is bloody draining to read all the nonsensical bickering. People don’t know when to stop.
Right in time for Halloween: a one-dimensional article which purports to be comprehensive saying, “Boooo! Pakistan is scary!”
Pakistan is a non fanatic country. Most people are peace loving. Only around .28% people believe in extreamism according to last survey conducted by ISI. BJP is evil party it supports Bush and even Hitler. I heard they even hate Srilankans because of Rawan.
Inzy: you might find cricket more suited to your talents.