The new plaything for Pakistani broadcast media: Qandeel Baloch
By Alice Peter
7 April 2016
The gloves are off and the judgmental glasses are put on; fatwas have been declared and sides have been chosen. What has conveniently been swept under the rug, yet again, is freedom of speech in Pakistan.On March 26, 2016, Qandeel Baloch, a Pakistani model, actress and singer underwent a media trial. This took place in a talk show titled “10pm with Nadia Mirza,” that airs on News One. In the aftermath of Baloch having appeared on a similar show on Channel 24 with Mubashir Lucman, she was invited to various platforms to be interrogated and her character vetted.
A relatively unknown figure, Baloch rose to fame with her ‘how em looking?’ video on Facebook that went viral. Since then, she has become a social media star that people love to hate. Her videos are made fun of, shared and heavily criticized. However, it was all fun and games, before Baloch offered to release an indecent video on social media to ‘motivate’ Pakistani cricket team in the World T20 World Cup.
“I do not think Qandeel Baloch is dumb or stupid,” says Silvia Noble, 24, a Project Coordinator at Total Parco Pakistan Limited. “The woman wants to get famous and that’s exactly what she’s working towards,” she adds.
The controversy surrounding Baloch has an air of déjà vu to it. Pakistani actresses such as Veena Malik and Meera have been part of similar wrangles. Whilst Baloch’s demeanor is being labeled “wrong” and “dirty,” considering she is the citizen of the Land of the Pure, there are loopholes in the broadcast coverage she is getting.
“It is like she is being handed to the right-wing organizations of our country on a silver platter,” says Aisha Imran, 21, a student at Bayview. For Imran, the Pakistani broadcast media is not in a position to judge people for their actions.
During her time on “10pm with Nadia Mirza,” Baloch became a victim of gang bullying. The host composed a panel consisting a Mufti, and Maria Zahid, a Pakistani television actress. In an attempt to appear pious with a flawless reputation, actress Zahid pointed out that it is because of girls like Baloch that the showbiz industry gets a bad name. To retaliate, Baloch claimed to be unaware of the actress’ profile and accused her of only getting into an argument with her to become popular.
As the fight turned intense, the host intervened; but she did so one second too late as a statement had been made on national television, one that could possibly never be taken back. And one that Maria Zahid should have definitely never been allowed to make. In a moment of triggered temper, one actress said to another what represents the majority mindset of our society. It is because of girls like Qandeel Baloch, that men in our society are so frustrated, implied Zahid.
This is part of a larger mindset that blames the victims for what has been done to them. Whether Baloch’s decision to conduct herself in the way she does should be condemned is a completely different topic, but what needs immediate attention and regulation is broadcast’s role in projecting such issues in a light that only supports this mentality.
