As a healthy and objective media can prevent a society from many maladies, negative presentations in mass media can create and promote social trends as well. Media forms a society’s outlook, if its impact is positive and media accomplishes its tasks and responsibilities in an outstanding manner and guides the new generations by imparting knowledge and awareness then the society has greater chances of being a pluralistic, just and democratic one. On the other hand, negative impacts of media might intensify hatred leading to violence and bloodshed forming all brutal conflicts.

So the role of mass media has to be that of a guide or torchbearer showing right path.

The examples of harmful presentations in mass media are numerous. Some of these are listed below.

• Lack of respect for the values of humanity:

One of the main and acceptable principal worldwide is that media should respect the rights, values and beliefs of all people but these rules are not respected by sections of the print and electronic media.

We should be alert to the fact that respecting of individual personalities is an inseparable part freedom of speech. Journalist and social activist can expect respect by communities when they show respect to values of the people.


• Concept of discrimination and fundamentalism in mass media:

When writers and man of letter empower the fundamentalists by showing their tilts towards certain ideologies or groupings, they contribute to the intensification of social and political polarity in a society that ultimately leads to wider social conflict.

• Lack of constructive judgment and attitude:

One of the most disturbing aspects of mass media today is to focus on bad news. Journalists habitually give details of the negative aspects of a situation instead of covering the positive angles as well. This is for sure, true that mass media has the responsibility to bring out the facts to the people, but it is also important to point out possible solutions in a given situation.

• One side justice:

Another harmful way that can be seen in mass media is one side justice in various affairs.
It is a fact that any writers have their own way of thinking and attitude, while communicating to the people through writings; journalist must keep the facts and suggestions of the people in his mind as one of his first options.
To begin with, meaningless pessimistic and optimistic words can be seen even from the beginning to end of some articles in order to hide the realities of the situation. Although bringing up the truth can figure out several problems.

• Terrible propagandas and misinformation:

Another negative item in mass media, which can be done by a group or individually, is the terrible propagandas and misinformation. The culture of gun that has been frequent for long span of time in our country Afghanistan and different groups have communicated to each other through its barrel. This has left terrible effect in mass media and this terrible effect is propagandas against each other in the name of freedom of speech.
Still the hands haven’t been over from the guns in Afghan society, it is absolutely possible to start another burning war through mass media with the continuation of current attitudes. Thus, it is up to the journalists, penholders and cultural activists to take the initiatives to put up the culture of peace via their nonviolent and peaceful writings.

• Horror of mind:

Many of the writers and journalists make their selves to be afraid of warlords. It is very clear that the warlords didn’t respect the value of mass media and didn’t respect the freedom of speech particularly they had influenced media throughout their political power and authority, besides journalists were not allowed to tell the realities at that period.
The effect of above mentioned facts is still in the minds of many cultural activists, however a journalist can never accomplish his task without courage and boldness.

Vanishing the negative presentations or ways in mass media is mostly allied to journalists and cultural activists, likewise contributing and working in a group in order to exchange information will pave the way to bring numerous positive and helpful changes in the society.

Author: Ms. Nabila Faani, an independent Journalist.