Air University Semester Project On Impacts Of Private Chanels On Ptv 174a3f

Effect of Private TV channels on Pakistan Television

(Semester project)

Submitted to: Mr. Naveed Ehsan Submitted by: Arslan Arshad Kiani(090340) Shahzeb Imran Ansari (090310) Rizwan Yaqoob (090253) Muhammad Ali (090301) BEE-2-C Dated: May 16, 2010 0

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all we would be thankful to Allah Almighty without whose blessing and mercies we would never have been able to complete this project. Projects are the teamwork. This project is refined from splendid efforts of group . We can’t forget the guidance’s and knowledge which our kind teacher provided us. We were lucky to have such a kind teacher who taught us with such devotion and zest, which we cannot forget. We thank him from the core of our hearts. In the end we would like to thank to all those people who provided us with useful suggestions, useful data and facility of composing.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS  Executive summary…………………………………………………3  Introduction.……………………………………………………....... 4 Problem……………………… 4 Primary objective...................... 4 Purpose.......................................4 Scope/Layout.................. ...........4 Significance................................5 Limitations................................ 5 Methodology............................. 5  Background Research……….…………………………………….....6 History of PTV………….......... ......6 Evolution of Private channels…….. 7  Research Area………………………………..……………………..... 8  News/Current Affairs………...................................................……... 8 Credibility of News...........................9 Public Survey....................................9 Government Affiliation....................9 Public Survey..................................11  Coverage............................................................................................... 11  Political Talk shows.............................................................................11 Public Survey...........................…...12  Promotion of Culture...........................................................................13 Private channel’s negative role.........13 Public Survey………………….......14 Role of PTV………………….……14 Public Survey…................................15 Censorship Board…....................15  Entertainment/Recreation...................................................................16 Family Channel.....…......... 16 Sports.......................... 17 Public Survey………..........17 Dramas……………………18 Public Survey……….……18  Conclusion.............................................................................................20  Bibliography……………………………………………….......... ......21

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In this report, we have in fact talked on the effects of “Private channels” on “PTV” in certain areas of concern. Our main focus is to highlight the present position of “PTV” in electronic media in the swarm of privatizations. We proceeded by discussing three main departments of evaluation that are News, Culture and Entertainment. Our national channel earned a lot of fame when it started its telecast initially, but after the evolution of private channels it got affected a great deal. Viewership decreased to an alarming level. Yet the thing to be valued, the positives of PTV has been elaborated among which the “cultural promotion” is the most important. Our hypothesis ing this project is that “PTV has lagged behind a great deal among other private channels, although it was the first to be launched country wide”. The main reasons, controversies, and wrong policies leading to its downfall have been elaborated in this report. Above all certain recommendations regarding the improvement of the standard of PTV have been discussed with the help of a “Public Survey”. There was a balance of leading and lagging perspective of PTV in comparison with private channels thus we concluded that PTV still holds a valid position in electronic media.

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INTRODUCTION PROBLEM The topic in focus is “The effect of private channels on PTV”. We will be researching on its different aspects by highlighting the fact, how private channels have grown by leaps and bounds, challenging and often displacing traditional PTV turf. PTV was the first channel to be released nationwide and got immense popularity among the public. But gradually it lost its glamour and trust within the public, and the new era of private channels originated, taking electronic media to a higher level. But how come PTV got affected by this privatization? Our hypothesis ing this project is that “PTV has lagged behind a great deal among other private channels, although it was the first to be launched country wide”. Research and analysis will prove whether this hypothesis holds true or not, or whether it’s just partly true.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES Factual analysis while comparing private channels with PTV in different aspects. To come up with suggestions to improve PTV. Defining controversies and problems related to PTV.

PURPOSE Our project will be revolving around the objective of displaying the clear cut image of ptv in electronic media and to come up with some possible steps for the elevation of its standard. This project of ours won’t be intending to invent something new or to bring forward some revolutionary ideas. But it focuses to present the reality in its true sense and to reveal some hidden facts.

SCOPE/LAYOUT Comparison of PTV with other private channels on the basis of:News/Current affairs 4

Promotion of culture Recreation/Entertainment

SIGNIFICANCE In a democratic society the public must have accrued information, and free access to all the points of view. Electronic media has become such a powerful element in our society that it leaves no fact hidden. It can easily mould the thoughts of people by a simple truth or a simple lie. Thus authenticity is the main issue. Thus importance of our report would be to highlight the current scenario of PTV and its existence among dominating private channels.

LIMITATIONS Many hurdles blocked our research portion. We were not able to conduct any interview with electronic media officials due to security reasons, but we had some oral exchange of opinions with them which helped us with our proceedings. As this project is specific to PTV, thus internet couldn’t be a great deal helpful. Public opinion was gathered through a questionnaire which gave us an overview of the majority.

METHODOLOGY We proceeded with our research in the following ways: Internet/Forums Articles/editorials Questionnaire

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BACKGROUNG RESEARCH

History of PTV Pakistan entered into Television Broadcasting age with a small pilot TV Station established at Lahore from where transmission was first beamed in Black & White with effect from 26 November 1964. Television centres were established at Karachi, Rawalpindi and Islamabad in 1967; and in Peshawar and Quetta in 1974. While introducing the sophisticated branch of the electronic media in the country, the broad perspective kept in mind was to inform and educate the people through wholesome entertainment and to inculcate in them a greater awareness of their own history, heritage, current problems and development as well as knowledge of the world at large. In October 1963, the government signed a t venture agreement with the Nippon Electronic Company (NEC) of Japan to have NEC collaborate with Pakistani engineers for the launch of PTV. On 26 November 1964, the first television station commenced transmission broadcasts in the cities of Lahore, followed by Dhaka in 1965 (then the capital of East Pakistan) now Bangladesh, a third centre was established in Rawalpindi and Islamabad in 1965 and the fourth in Karachi in 1966. Later centres in Peshawar and Quetta were established in 1974.Originally broadcasting in black and white, PTV began colour transmission in 1976. With this new upgrade in techniques and equipment, the Pakistan Television Academy was founded and opened in 1987 to teach students who wished to work in the medium. As with the other agreement, the government financed most of the funds while the private venture capitalists offered to fund the remainder. PTV launched a full-scale satellite broadcasting service in 1991-92 whereas Digital TV satellite broadcasting was launched in 1999. During the decades of 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, PTV dramas and teleplays were considered as the best in Indian Subcontinent. Unlike other state-run corporations, the television company was allowed by the Government of Pakistan to raise a sizable amount of private capital to finance the stations. This includes Rs.25 per month TV fee charge to all the consumers of electricity.

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Today, PTV is split up into the original channel feed: PTV Home : 24-hour entertainment channel, the transmission is broadcast across Pakistan on terrestrial network and worldwide through satellite. It's Programming also include live telecast of Pakistan's cricket matches. PTV News : 24-hour news channel which can be viewed in many parts of the globe. PTV National : An emphasis on broadcasting programmes in different languages to represent the whole of Pakistan. AJK TV : For the residents of Azad Kashmir. PTV Bolan : Balochi language channel. PTV Global : Offered exclusively for the United States on Dish Network, and recently launched in Europe.

EVOLUTION OF PRIVATE CHANNELS For many years PTV was the only channel that operated nationwide in Pakistan. It further got divided into a family of channels all under one network. It was year 2000, after which many private channels came into view when Pervez Musharaf issued license to them. From then began a new era of electronic media. Following are some leading channels, which filled an air of competition in electronic media: 1. Ary Digital : Founded in December, 2000. Within a short span of three years, the unique proposition and the content of the channel resulted in massive popularity. ARY news, ARY music, ARY Qtv and ARY zauq are its sister channels. It was the first private channel after the issuance of licenses. 2. Geo Tv: Geo TV is a general entertainment channel of Geo Television Network. Geo TV was established in 2002. In 2005; two separate channels were carved out of it: Geo TV and Geo News. It has an affiliation with JANG group of news paper. 3. Express News: Express News is a Pakistani television news channel. It is owned and run by the country’s third largest Urdu daily, Daily Express & Founded in 2008. They also owned an English news channel, Express news 24/7.

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4. Hum TV: Hum TV is geared towards providing quality entertainment TV programs for the entire family established in January 2005 5. Dunya News: A renowned news channel Founded in 2009.

RESEARCH AREA The prime objective of media must be national stability in all its dimensions. A social and political climate needs to be created in which people could engage themselves in positive and healthy activities and could contribute to the overall national development. We will brief our research in this section keeping in view our scope. A comparative analysis will give us a clear picture of our research.

News/Current affairs When we want to get any information about something, what is the foremost thing that is kept in mind? 

Authenticity

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Reliability of source

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Required information

They all have a same meaning but together they show a stress on the true and straight forward information. In the present age of electronic media, no one can hide the reality in its true sense no matter how hard he/she tries. Thus in the case of news casting, there is an air of competition between news channels. Each of them strives to reveal the truth before the other one. So keeping this in mind, let’s analyze PTV in comparison with other private channels.

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Let’s analyze the impact of private channels on PTV in the following news casting departments: CREDIBILITY OF NEWS COVERAGE POLITICAL TALK SHOWS

Credibility of news This is the most important component of news casting. Each and every channel strives to gain the trust of its viewers. Thus freedom of media is very important in this respect. As PTV is under government control, it is bound to have certain limitations. Thus the question of government affiliation comes into play:

Public survey 

Do you think PTV favours the ruling government and its policies ?

GOVERNMENT AFFILIATION: In most of the countries of the world, broadcasting services have never been given sufficient freedom. Governments have made rules and regulations to curtain the freedom. It has been widely assumed that in most of the countries, governments are always afraid of the power of press. Since its birth, PTV has been used by the successive governments for the projection and protection of their images and to defame the opposition. Irrespective of dictatorial or democratic governments, PTV has always been used for government propaganda. In May 1999 Pervez Government of Pakistan launched an incursion in Kargil, a mountainous region of Indian-istered Kashmir. Here the Pakistani and Indian armies faced each

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other at 18,000 feet. In the spring of 1999; Pakistani troops infiltrated early, taking the empty Indian positions without a fight. The subsequent war however saw Pakistan’s defeat as it withdrew under US pressure. At the time Pakistan Television (PTV) was the only source for television news. Paradoxically, PTV’s credibility among the Pakistani public was so low that the Pakistani people turned to Indian news channels for latest information regarding the Kargil military crisis. In those days the prices of illegal satellite dishes soared, as it was the only way to watch Indian news channels. Even after forty-six years of service, PTV has not been able to establish and maintain its credibility as an independent medium to present news events in factual, accurate and impartial manner. In an editorial, The Nation: “.......There is no denying the fact that despite tall claims of democratizating the media, PTV is being used as an instrument of crude propaganda for the ruling party.[1] Someone said; “Credibility has always remained an issue with our television. When did it first lose it is quite untraceable (or did it even achieve it). But credibility, rather a lack of it, has been a bone of contention between the viewers and the government owned PTV”[2] Many Private channels have been targeted by the Government by showing the truth to the public while going against the government actions. For example, “Geo News” has been criticized by the government for exaggerations and misrepresentations of facts. Numerous times the station has been subjected to bans and shut downs. When President Musharraf imposed emergency in the fall of 2007, Geo TV Network received an order from local authorities of Dubai on November 16 to cut off all their Live broadcast of programmes. In contrast to other private news channels, they are liberal without any restriction. They don’t need a “thumbs up” to cover any news, but they compete to be the first to bring reality to public. Thus, these private channels have affected the viewership of PTV. Very few people watch PTV which has been proved through the question we posed in our questionnaire.

[1] Editorial, Daily Nation, 9-1-1990 [2] Shahab Zafar’s PTV’s credibility, letter in daily Nation, of 4-12-1989

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PUBLIC SURVEY 

Which news channel do you think is most reliable? a) Geo news b) PTV news c) Dunya news d) Express news

COVERAGE All private channels in Pakistan are telecasted through satellite, while PTV is the only channel that is on terrestrial network as well as being telecasted through satellite. Government has not allowed the private channels to work terrestrially so that they can easily shut down any channel when they want to. That shows that the Government want full control over the press media not caring of any kind of democracy. Thus PTV remains dominant in coverage aspect. Most of the Pakistan population is ruralised where they can only watch PTV. But the fact still remains that PTV is losing its trust by showing favours to the government and its policies.

POLITICAL TALK SHOWS PTV shows very few talk shows in which they interview their own government , and everything goes pre-planned, while other private channels bring reality into their talk shows 11

by bringing several government functionaries to speak out the truth in front of the public. There are many famous anchors like Dr. Shahid Masood and Hamid Mir, Kamran Khan, Najam Sethi, Javed chaudry, Mubashir Lucman who have brought revolution to electronic media. But Ptv has no one like them. Private channels have a clear edge in telecasting talk shows that is proved by the analysis:

PUBLIC SURVEY 

In your opinion, which channel shows the best “Talk-shows” regarding current affairs? a) Geo news b) Dunya news c) PTV news d) Aaj news e) Express news

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PROMOTION OF CULTURE Culture is the sum total of our mental refinement and vision of social life. It takes diverse forms across time and space. Media of any country is reflection of that country. It shows that how person behave and live in their country. The way of expressing news, way of talking of politicians in political debates and discussion programs shows the behaviour of people of that country. We People are greatly influenced by Indian and western culture because of the presence of them in our private channels.

Private channel’s negative role Pakistani media (including PTV up to some extent) tries to give what they want by somehow giving it an Indian touch by casting Indian celebrities, wearing of saris and long episode of the dramas. They are actually trying to divert us from our own culture which we can see that the children in Pakistan are now speaking some of the Hindu words and also adopting their culture and the parents don’t even give a minute to consider this matter. Westernization has been spread throughout our country because of the private channels. The TV channels show various newscasters and different characters in the dramas wearing westernized clothes. In addition to this, intimate scenes are becoming more common in TV programs. Our Private channels are promoting Indian culture playing INDIAN SONGS, Vulgar English Music Videos; Fashion Shows on our Pakistani Private channels will destroy our cultural values. The catalogues, magazines, billboards etc clearly show the impact of westernization all over Pakistan. You can see the catalogues of Stone Age for example; Magazines and certain TV shows discuss extremely open issues that are out of the scene if people take into our culture, tradition and religious values. This is what, following, western liberal concepts has done to us. We don't even our own values and beliefs and therefore we are getting entrapped deeper into the web of westernization (so called advancement that is considered essential for development).

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PUBLIC SURVEY 

Do you agree “the private entertainment channels are responsible for westernizing our society.”? a) Completely b) Partially c) Disagree

Role of PTV PTV is trying its best to promote Pakistani Culture but all in vain. Now People demand for Glamour and Style instead of simplicity. PTV has become far away from People's demands because now our People are attracted towards glamorization. In PTV shows, there is some respect and distances maintained as well as in keeping one self covered but these private channels are responsible for spreading of western culture. But now it’s common for them to hug hold hands and jump into each other laps. That is the only reason why PTV has begun to put bits of westernization in order to compete with the private channels which have been proved by our survey. A lot of PTV plays and documentaries have been provided to foreign countries on gratis basis for the projection of Pakistan and its people which have been liked by them and later on they have purchased several selected programmes.

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PUBLIC SURVEY 

Do you think PTV is going for glamorization like other private channels by sacrificing its cultural traditions? a) Yes b) No c) To some extent

Censorship Board Censorship board of PTV was established in 1968, making sure that PTV remains to be a family channel, and continues to depict Pakistan’s culture. A common observation is when live matches are telecasted. Some scenes not suitable for young ones are immediately censored. In short, it’s a channel where you won’t have to keep a remote control in hand to change it when required with family. But on the other hand, this board has given free hand to many ments, which shows ads of family planning which is not suitable for under-age viewership and some glamorous ments, which proves that PTV has a mind set of proceeding towards modernization. We can not only say that Media has affected our Culture but is The People of our country who are changing the values of our Culture by allowing Private Channels to do so. It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are not.

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ENTERTAINMENT/RECREATION People mostly watch television as a source of entertainment or to kill boredom, and majority of them includes the youth. In the past, Pakistani people just had the choice of watching PTV, but PTV didn’t leave this situation as a compulsion for the public. It produced legendary Dramas and shows and gained the interest of people. When the private channels came into scenario with their modernization in the department of entertainment, it was natural for the public to get attracted towards them. Let’s analyze the following areas regarding the entertainment:

FAMILY CHANNEL SPORTS DRAMAS

FAMILY CHANNEL

It must be very common when you see children watching television and elders being alert in their stance holding a remote control in their hand. Most of the private channels in Pakistan do not care for the censorship, except for PTV. A very good thing about PTV is that it is a family channel and it telecasts such kind of programs which everyone can watch with family. In twenty four hours of transmission, PTV telecasts its programs in Urdu, English and four local area’s language. Every province has its time for its local area programmes. No cable channel has this Diversification. Another good thing is that PTV takes care of the people of all age group. It starts the day with recitation of Holy Quran for one hour along with translation, then telecasts cartoon for the children because they are very fond of it. Then the talk shows start. Programs are there for female, especially for house wives. Also there is time for youth shows. No cable channel has so much diversification as PTV. But the fact remains that cable is present in every house nowadays where children can watch any kind of channel, and parents can or does least about it.

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SPORTS PTV Sports Division was created in 1983 to provide healthy entertainment to our viewers. It has emerged as an extremely productive and earning division for the PTV. The chief objectives of this division are to arrange healthy sports entertainment through the coverage of exciting moments and happening in the field of sports and to keep the viewers abreast with the National and International sports event. Presently Sports Division is producing 200 minutes regular weekly transmission on PTV apart from occasional International / National sports coverage. PTV also televises live national and international sports around the world, keeping in view the interest of Pakistani viewers. And the censorship policy even during the telecast of live matches is a good step. The PTV officials have been thinking recently of opening a separate sports channel under the umbrella of PTV, but the matter is still in files. It would be a revolutionary step if it comes into reality. Many people refer to PTV for live cricket telecast, but the availability of certain separate sports channels gives viewers a wide choice even if these channels are the paid ones. GEO super is the only Pakistani channel working successfully in the country and worldwide. Thus these private sports channels have a clear edge to the only reason that they show 24 hours sports whereas PTV just shows live matches. So there’s a great need of a separate PTV sports channel. PUBLIC SURVEY 

Which channel do you prefer to watch Live sports broadcasts on?

a) Star sports b) Geo Super

c) PTV d) Ten Sports

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DRAMAS Drama projects reality and is based on various aspects of life. It enhances the insight into various problems and relationships. The drama which were once the sole strength of PTV have deteriorated to a level that they are not watchable to say the least. In good old days a drama used to put a break in daily life or citizen’s people would not keep weddings and parties on days on which a popular drama was to be aired. These drama serials still have quality content and plots generally relate to the issues of common man. These Dramas were so popular that they were even watched in India. Even the private channels are buying some of the PTV dramas and look up to them for their own production. PTV still charges the highest amount of money for airing commercials but their revenue is fast receding. Many Ads these days are quite obscene according to PTV standards. PTV is still getting substantial advertising revenues only because of its huge coverage.

PUBLIC SURVEY 

Do you think ptv still maintaining the standard of its drama serials now a days. a) Yes b) No c) May be

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The main question is that, why PTV is not maintaining its standard of DRAMA production? Even here private channels are affecting PTV. To increase its viewership, PTV is going on the footsteps of private channels towards glamorization. Competition in this sector is very intense. “In past there were only one channel but now viewers have the choice so naturally PTV is affected. But as far as standard of production is concerned, no one could beat PTV. The respect of Dupatta on PTV can easily be judged whereas the kind of talk shows, dramas and programs being telecasted on private channels, I don’t think, can be watched together with the entire family. Alhamdulillah PTV has been able to maintain those values and InshAllah will continue this practice.” [1]

The quality of PTV entertainment has plummeted in recent years. This is because the medium has become more profit oriented. At the altar of generating more funds, it has sacrificed the quality and objectivity of a number of programmes, which in the past gave Pakistan Television great deal of fame. Besides the negative impacts of private channels; there are some positive impacts also. In order to compete with private channels they are upgrading their infrastructure and machinery. Although PTV has deviated from its past glory but still it is superior than the private entertainment channels working in Pakistan regarding DRAMA production .

[1] Syed Aftab Azeem, Senior Producer PTV 19

CONCLUSION After our research work, we have come to certain conclusions:

PTV has not been completely eliminated out of the picture by the private channels.

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Private channels holds a clear lead in the news casting department and PTV can do nothing to even get close to it until it gets freedom of coverage.

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PTV is the only channel upholding the culture of Pakistan and its people, while Private channels are busy modifying it by the name of modernization.

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PTV is still in the running, providing entertainment to its viewers but has deviated from the past glory by introducing glamorization.

 With the liberation of media, the viewership of PTV has been decreased. But still it holds a valid position in electronic media.

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Bibliography Muhammad Ashraf khan, Bahaudin Zakrya University Multan, Pakistan (2002) Broad casting autonomy of Pakistan Television: A study of financial sources. History of PTV, Wikipedia; The free encyclopedia. Pakistan, Attitudes toward News and Information. http://www.audiencescapes.org/country-profiles-pakistan-attitudes-newsand-information-media-opinion Top brands d PTV. http://www.travel-culture.com/pakistan/media/ptv_rs.shtml Article; Associated press of Pakistan. http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view &id=32637&Itemid=1 Article; Pakistan Television to sell its products to private production houses. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-84929050/pakistantelevision-sell-its.html Ptv ; propaganda Television, Article http://www.chowrangi.com/ptv-propaganda-television.html Interview; Mr. Asad ullah Bhatti, senior producer PTV. By kallpoint.com Interview; Syed Aftab Azeem, Senior producer PTV. By kallpoint.com Ptv Report. www.idoub.com Nasir Aziz (February 28, 2005). Case study: Pakistan and its media. Pakistan television’s official website. www.ptv.com.pk/

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