Along with providing news and information, perspective and analysis, many of our news channels seem to have also taken upon themselves the heavy burden of entertainment, which was once the domain of performers. News bulletins and current affairs shows now rule the roost and have overshadowed television dramas and casual talk shows as a primary source of entertainment. Brazenly sensational, blatantly melodramatic and at times outlandishly comical, the bulletins and talk shows are considered to be a huge success, attracting eyeballs and competing for crucial ratings — a lifeline for the flow of advertisements.

One manifestation of this debacle is the manner in which many of our news channels covered the Shoaib Malik-Sania Mirza love affair — ‘Shoania’ as they came to be known. From the very news of their engagement and the controversy about Malik’s marriage to Ayesha Siddiqa of Indian origin to misspellings of names on the nikahnama and wedding cards and the actual wedding day itself to the detailed travel plans and the series of valima receptions for the couple — the entire coverage has been treated as a tacky soap opera by most of our country’s leading news channels.

It is no wonder that the terror attack in northern Pakistan claiming more than 40 lives was forgotten in the media frenzy as news of this engagement flashed in red over and over again as breaking news. And this series of non-stop breaking news and exclusives continue even as the wedding coverage ‘subsides.’ We should thank our stars that both Shoaib and Sania are not among the top five or 10 in the ranking of their respective games. One can only guess what many of our news channels would have done in that case.

From the issuance of boarding cards to graphic details of the bathroom of the hotel where the couple planned to stay in Lahore, every teeny weeny bit was treated worthy of making headlines around the country. This is what we call redefining television journalism, Pakistani style.

Seasoned anchors pushed guest politicians on their shows to comment on this union and its impact on Pakistan-India relations. Will it help bring the people of these two countries closer? Should there be more such marriages for peace in the region? And while some of the politicians tried to answer the questions seriously, others understandably dodged the unwarranted questions.

The dumped: Supporters hold placards and cheer for Ayesha Siddiqa, Shoaib’s first wife, who he was forced to divorce. Photo: AFP

Now, many media stalwarts treat news and current affairs shows as entertainment platforms, and package their content with music, dance, blood, and gore. Unfortunately, in the case of the Shoaib-Sania affair, even objective news bulletins strayed from their purpose and distastefully embedded dramatic Indian music and footage to spice up the imprudent coverage of this rather inconsequential love affair. Going by the coverage priorities and treatment of news by these channels, it seems that all journalistic ethics and conventions were flushed down the drain.

In the rat race for ratings, yellow journalism reigned supreme and dominated our screens. The Pakistani paparazzi proved as good (or bad, depending on which side of the fence one stands) as their international counterparts when it came time to go for the kill. Poor Shoaib and Sania were thrust on the viewers; no wonder many felt nauseated.

The artificial fervour and hype created by channels over this wedding was as though the protracted Kashmir issue with India has been resolved, or that the dark spectre of extremism and terrorism was defeated once and for all. This overblown and magnified coverage of a celebrity couple’s marriage might have been justified in a country where there is no other news. But in a country caught in the vortex of political instability, terrorism and poverty, it can hardly be justified. Entertainment, light stories and even celebrity scandals remain an integral part of content, even for news channels, but the frivolous should not sweep away the important socio-political, economic and law and order issues. Ironically, that is what happened in the coverage of Shoaib and Sania’s affair.

Journalism — yes, even electronic journalism — is all about objectivity, fairness, accuracy and a sense of proportion. These traits remain its guiding principles, and should not be lost. Many of the channels need to rethink their news agendas and reset their priorities. Pakistani viewers deserve better television, as it is not their privilege, but their right.