Touts, Social Media, and the New Gutter

The interference of intelligence agencies in journalism is a very old phenomenon. It happens not only in establishment-dominated countries like Pakistan but also, to some extent, everywhere in the world. In the past, the identity of some journalists has been defined by this very role. A prominent example is Kamran Khan. When his reports were published in Jang and The News, it was understood that they represented the military's stance. Whatever his achievements, Kamran Khan is also a regular journalist, which is perhaps why critics accepted him in this position.  

During General Musharraf's era, America set up a Sunday bazaar of channels in Pakistan, where journalists with direct connections abroad entered the field, and local touts also flooded the scene. After that, the quality continued to decline, and by the time General Bajwa's era arrived, it had turned into complete trash. The military head of nuclear power would start his morning by listening to the vlogs of a so-called "genius" YouTuber, and when General Bajwa himself mentioned his name, people were left astonished.  

Before this, when it was decided to use false news on channels to hurl abuses at politicians, journalists and non-journalist parachuters were ordered to read scripted curses written on chits directly on the screen. Those who did this were not only praised but also guaranteed high-paying jobs. Social media brigades were trained and unleashed. YouTube channels were created, and large-scale subscriptions were arranged so that propaganda could spread far and wide, while dollars continued to pour in.  

After spreading massive misinformation through the media, a few such elements were recently taken off the air. People are sarcastically remarking, "What a miracle that they realized this so quickly!" There are many others in the same category who are still on duty on the screens. Rewarding or punishing media operatives may be an internal matter of "the institution," but it can certainly be commented upon. To this day, it has been observed that whenever a new channel is launched, the merit of hiring is completely ignored. When powerful circles create new digital media platforms using proxies, they are also filled with the same kind of people. It feels as if, under a planned scheme, people are being entangled on social media.  

For instance, these days, a battle is raging where a self-proclaimed religious scholar with a sharp tongue is tearing into two of PTI's media "tigers." They are retaliating with counter-allegations. One of these "tigers" spread the malice of cheap stage dramas and their vulgarity to every household through TV screens. Later, under the guise of a new channel, he made so much money that even the officers involved in the scheme were left stunned. That channel was shut down before it even launched, but by then, such a large sum had been embezzled that a high-ranking officer, who still holds a top position today, exasperatedly said, "I feel like catching these fraudsters and hanging them upside down." It is said that a legal action plan was prepared, but then, in the broader national interest, a "let it slide" policy was adopted.  

The second "tiger" is the one who went from being an ordinary reporter to a billionaire. He was arrested after May 9, released after some time, and then, in a cinematic fashion, his health issues and activities were gradually restored. Eventually, he was sent to the safe havens of Europe. Sher Afzal Marwat claims that he made huge sums of money by colluding with senior police officers and bureaucrats. All those officers are still here, holding important positions, but no one is questioning them. Obviously, if a YouTuber is a lackey of Bajwa, Faiz, or Asif Ghafoor, which corrupt officer would miss the golden chance to collaborate with him in their exploits? All such operatives connected to these networks become completely immune to any form of accountability.  

In a stage drama, actor Naseer Chinioty once told his co-actor, Amanat Chan, "My colour may be black too, but your ship has already sunk." Touts have always been the ruin of journalism, but during General Bajwa's era, it became more than ruin—it turned into a complete disaster. The irony is that while the mess of the fifth-generation war is yet to be cleaned up, a new gutter of the sixth-generation war has erupted in the form of family vloggers and TikTokers.