Shifting Media's Agenda from politics to People

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“Politics, politics and politics, I am fed up, what the hell our News TV channels are doing, don’t they have other social responsibilities except giving marathon coverage to dirty politics”, said Hamza Ali,23, one of the university students who were having discussion on media’s role in the society.

There has been electronic media expansion and explosion in our country since the turn of the 21st century with more than 80 TV channels disseminating an influx of information to millions of viewers.

The expansion is good but Mr. Ali, who is studying Journalism and Mass Communication in Islamic International University Islamabad, has rightly raised questions whether the media is fulfilling its functions in society as a responsible actor? Does it regulate and improve itself to be more responsible with the speed it expanded and is expanding? Is it playing its role as the fourth pillar of state and a watchdog of the society?

However, unfortunately, Pakistani media is neither responsible nor people-centric. Prime significance is given to political issues. Over 150 televised talk shows telecasted every day during the prime hours have set their agenda to discuss nothing but so-called political issues.

Moreover, these shows are overcrowded with politicians who deceive the nation with hollow slogans and traditional rhetoric. Politicians have nothing to do with problems; they are concerned only about their political gains and scorings.

Pakistan is in a quagmire of crises. Thus media definitely have something that deserves to be highlighted in the media beyond "dirty politics". Then, why don’t the media divert its focus from politics to people? Why not to give more coverage to social issues?

Media managers have to reprioritize their agenda as ambassadors of Pakistan, a link between government and people of Pakistan and a national image builder, before it is too late to regain its credibility.

Why to Shop Online..?

Photo Courtesy: Google

This is the age of Internet which has brought world into our bedrooms and offices. Things are just a click away. With development of the technology new trends are being set.

Online Shopping is one such trend becoming more and more popular every passing day. People are using the Web to shop for a variety of items ranging from blankets to shoes and from cellphones to airplane tickets and what not. Besides some disadvantages, Online Shopping offers many advantages.

Shop anything anytime
Online shoppers can choose any time of the day or night to get on the Web and shop. They need not to worry about inclement weather, wait for taxi or opening of the market. Even some people are home-bound so they can buy thing sitting in their homes.

Online market is very wide
Online shopping also offers wide range sellers. Online market is unending. One can move to another vendor easily and quickly. Moreover, it also provides the chance to compare prices from hundreds of different vendors.

Informed purchases
Another advantage is it’s easy to access consumer reviews for pretty much any product one can think of online, which makes for more informed purchases.

No Sales Pressure
Online shopping also makes people free from pressure of sales. We've all been awkwardly propositioned by eager salespeople. One doesn't have to put up with that online.

What can deter buyers to buy online?
It is, however, rightly said that a coin has two faces. The online shopping is not the different too. It has disadvantages too.

One can’t try things on. If, for example, one intends to buy a clothing item, he/she doesn’t have the ability to feel the material, try it on, and see how it's made.

When a customer wants to talk to seller immediately, he/she may have to wait for a quite long time to get his/her question answered.

Internet is insecure, non-personal
Privacy and security are legitimate concerns for any online shopper, but there are precautions you can take to make sure your transaction is a safe one.

Know your Rights Please!

Human Rights in US
The protection of fundamental human rights was a foundation stone in the establishment of the United States over 200 years ago. Since then, a central goal of U.S. foreign policy has been the promotion of respect for human rights, as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The United States understands that the existence of human rights helps secure the peace, deter aggression, promote the rule of law, combat crime and corruption, strengthen democracies, and prevent humanitarian crises.

Because the promotion of human rights is an important national interest, the United States seeks to:
Hold governments accountable to their obligations under universal human rights norms and international human rights instruments;
Promote greater respect for human rights, including freedom from torture, freedom of expression, press freedom, women's rights, children's rights, and the protection of minorities;
Promote the rule of law, seek accountability, and change cultures of impunity;
Assist efforts to reform and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Commission on Human Rights; and
Coordinate human rights activities with important allies, including the EU, and regional organizations.


The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) applies three key principlesto its work on human rights:
First, DRL strives to learn the truth and state the facts in all of its human rights investigations, reports on country conditions, speeches and votes in the UN, and asylum profiles. Each year, DRL develops, edits, and submits to Congress a 5,000-page report on human rights conditions in over 190 countries that is respected globally for its objectivity and accuracy. DRL also provides relevant information on country conditions to the Immigration and Naturalization Service and immigration judges in asylum cases.

Second, DRL takes consistent positions concerning past, present, and future abuses. With regard to past abuses, it actively promotes accountability. To stop ongoing abuses, the bureau uses an "inside-outside" approach that combines vigorous, external focus on human rights concerns (including the possibility of sanctions) with equally robust support for internal reform. To prevent future abuses, it promotes early warning and preventive diplomacy. Each year DRL ensures that human rights considerations are incorporated into U.S. military training and security assistance programs; promotes the rights of women through international campaigns for political participation and full equality; conducts high-level human rights dialogues with other governments; coordinates U.S. policy on human rights with key allies; and raises key issues and cases through diplomatic and public channels.

Third, DRL forges and maintains partnerships with organizations, governments, and multilateral institutions committed to human rights. The bureau takes advantage of multilateral fora to focus international attention on human rights problems and to seek correction. Each year, DRL provides significant technical, financial, or staff support for U.S. delegations to the annual meetings of several international human rights organizations; conducts regular consultations with Native American tribes and serves as the Secretary's principal advisor on international indigenous rights issues; maintains relations with the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights; and supports the creation of effective multilateral human rights mechanisms and institutions for accountability.