Sawera ka Chapa [Subah Saweray Maya kay Sath] is a morning show on Sama TV channel anchored by 'Maya'. This morning show is supposed to be investigative in nature and is meant to investigate any issue, which it considers, in its eyes, injurious to society. During this investigative program, all forms of basic human rights are violated and it is an invasion to privacy. This program claims that it will help in bringing reforms in society and slap the evil of so-called moral looseness .
In its most recent episode, Sawera ka Chapa raided a park in Clifton Karachi and humiliated the couples dating there. It seems that they have arrested the criminals or culprits of unforgivable crimes. The program team ran after the couples and forced them to give interviews without their consent. They asked them unethical and illogical questions such as;
Why are you here?
Why are you dating here?
Have you prior approval from your parents for dating?
What are your reasons for running away from the schools/colleges/ universities and offices during official timings.
You are the black spots on the name of family, community, religion and country!
You are the axis of evil in society!
Now the question is that; do the media have the right to act in this way and threaten the dating couples of dire consequences?
Who gave this right to Sawera ka Chapa to ask such kind of questions and infringe upon individuals privacy?
If the Sawera ka Chapa has the right to investigate and verdict then what is the meaning of being policing and judiciary? What is the difference between this kind of media vigilantism and that demonstrated by the Taliban?
How can the Sawera ka Chapa team blame Abaya as a symbol of prostitution?
Where is the censor board to censor such kind of programs?
The dilemma with us is that we are living in a country where the violation of fundamental rights is a usual practice. No one dares to raise her voice against such kind of violations. The violators are free to invade privacy without any prior approval or consent. No formal accountability system is in place for such kind of violations. The societal conservativeness and its adherence to some so-called taboos restrict the individual s freedom of expression and speech. It also restricts the freedom of movement and association.
We, the civil society, are deeply concerned over recently aired episode of Sawera ka Chapa and demand that authorities concerned must take appropriate steps to compensate the harassed couples. We demand a formal apology from the anchor and the producer, and assurance from concerned authorities that no such episodes will be aired in future.
Mahnaz Rahman,
Resident Director,
Aurat Foundation (KHI)
D-3/1, Block 7, KDA Scheme 5,
Clifton, Karachi
Tel: +92 213 587 47 18
Fax: +92 213 583 01 95
Web: http://www.af.org.pk/gep
