Global News Frames: Pak Elections

contents An ISO 9001:2015 Certified Magazine PAKISTAN – MILITARY MAJORITY NATION LT GEN PC KATOCH PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SC (RETD) 4 September 2018 DEFENCE AND SECURITY ALERT 05 CIVIL ADMINISTRATION IN PAKISTAN AMB ASHOK SAJJANHAR 09 IS IMRAN IRRELEVANT? PROF HARSH V PANT 14 ARMY HQ ENGINEERED POLITY LT GEN DALIP BHARDWAJ PVSM, VSM (RETD) 18 UNHOLY NEXUS MANISHA CHAURASIYA 22 DEMOCRACY UNDER DEBT: THE BLEAK FUTURE VIJAY KUMAR YADAV 26 MISSILE THREAT FROM PAKISTAN LT GEN (DR) V K SAXENA PVSM, AVSM, VSM (RETD) 31 GLOBAL NEWS FRAMES: PAK ELECTIONS KRITI SINGH 37 PAKISTAN’S HOLD ON EXTREMISM COL SHAILENDER ARYA 42 CAN IMRAN BREAK MILITARY GRIDLOCK? PROF SATISH KUMAR 47 global reactions BALLOT BATTLE GLOBAL NEWS FRAMES: PAK ELECTIONS The election concluded with victory of cricketerturned-politician Imran Khan and his idea of ameliorating present failing state into ‘Naya Pakistan’ amidst anticipated political instability due to envisioned reforms, possibility of collapse of new government, far-reaching challenges for the new leadership to achieve and fear of a puppet government in garb of democracy with the strings attached with the Pakistan military, as history have tendency to repeat itself. In words of Muhammad Iqbal, “Nations are born in the hearts of poets, they prosper and die in the hands of politicians.” I ntroduction Recent Pakistan General Glections held on 25 July 2018, saw high voltage drama as 270 constituencies voted for the change in government. The three key contenders in the battle of ballot were Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) PML (N) led by Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lead by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The decisive elections brought the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as a sole largest party to secure the majority, thus setting the stage for the Imran Khan to be the next premier of Pakistan. In the midst of various debates, chronicles, TV reportage, newspaper columns brimming with the details of the Pakistan Elections 2018, this article primarily delve upon how the global online news media reacted to this event on the day of the election, i.e. 25 July 2018. However, some compelling narratives, which occurred near the date of the polls, were also included in order to analyse different frames related to the ongoing event. The article endeavour to demonstrate selective narratives and media frames, constructed by the chosen international online news media while covering the recent parliamentary polls of Pakistan. KRITI SINGH he writer is an Assistant Professor at the School of Communication (SoC), GD Goenka University (GDGU), Non Resident Associate Fellow at Centre for Air Power Studies and pursuing her Doctorate in Communication from GDGU. Her thesis is based on Indian MediaMilitary Relationship, and her areas of interests are: media in conlict, media research, communication theories and cyber journalism. Talking about ‘frames’, in media studies, ‘framing’ was postulated by ‘Gregory Bateson in 1972’ and promoted further by Goffman. It is considered as an extension of agenda setting by communication theorists. Framing postulates that ‘media focusses attention on certain events and then places them within a ield of meaning’.1 As described by Tuchman (1978), these ‘frame limits the perception of reality’ in this process, the individual who is seeing through that constructed frame is only centering on a particular point as the various actualities of the corresponding event has been deined/conined by the limited perception been created by frames.2 1. Framing Theory. (2011). Mass Communication Theory. Retrieved 23 July 2018, from https://masscommtheory.com/theoryoverviews/framing-theory/ 2. A Ardèvol-Abreu (2015): “Framing theory in communication research in Spain. Origins, development and current situation”. Revista Latina de Comunicación Social, 70, pp. 423 to 450. http://www.revistalatinacs.org/070/paper/1053/23en.html DOI: 10.4185/RLCS-2015-1053en September 2018 DEFENCE AND SECURITY ALERT 37 global reactions BALLOT BATTLE News extensively uses frames for narrating an event, and Pakistan General Elections was yet another event in which numerous frames and accounts were constructed in print, electronic and new media. Talking about new media platforms in particular which are the focus of the article, a single search engine search on keywords “Pakistan General Elections 2018” on Google alone generated around 3,85,00,000 results in 1.45 seconds and Bling generated around 81,80,000 The Indian online media also discussed the impact of new leadership on Pak-India relationship, presence of terrorist groups in elections, concerning Haiz Saeed results. Moreover, it was observed that one of the primary reasons behind the popularity of the Imran Khan was due to social media, which facilitated in generating a ‘populist wave’ for him. Pakistan Online News Media Pakistan’s leading news online portals gave extensive coverage about the elections. The predominant narratives framed were: the impact of General Elections on the future of 105 million voters, pre-poll assumption that no single party is going to have clear mandate, likelihood of emergence of a new religious lines with parties like Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), Muttahida Majlisi-Amal (MMA) and Allah-o-Akbar Tehreek (AAT) and smaller religious group ielding their candidates in the elections, poll violence fear and uncertainty, prediction of hung parliament after elections, longest run election campaign as per the political analysts, Punjab emerging as toughest contested seat and so on.3 The news portals also covered pre-election surveys and their key indings exhibiting PTI and the PML-N giving a tough ight to each other and Imran Khan emerging as a tough contender for PML-N. Other dominating narratives included how Imran Khan is seen as the ‘blueeyed boy’ of ‘the establishment’, the foreign conspiracy behind propagating Imran Khan as military’s choice and so on. Indian Online News Media The dominant narrative and frames exhibited by Indian online news media included: the ‘allegations of rigging and manipulation’, tweets of politicians like Shahbaz Sharif rejecting elections as “blatant” 3. Wasim, A. (2018). Nation’s tryst with destiny today. DAWN.COM. Retrieved 3 August 2018, from https://www.dawn.com/ news/1422345/nations-tryst-with-destiny-today 38 September 2018 DEFENCE AND SECURITY ALERT rigging, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s reaction on delay in results and Aseefa B Zardari’s comment on ongoing polls as a “façade” were covered. Nevertheless, these claims, as described by Pakistan analysts, are a standard practice in the country. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s election commission in an impromptu press conference during the day rejected the allegation of ‘rigging’.4 Moreover, Indian online media also discussed the impact of new leadership on Pak-India relationship, presence of terrorist groups in elections, concerning Haiz Saeed. The Pakistani militant, co-founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the head of Jama’at-ud-Da’wah (JuD), and mastermind behind Mumbai attacks, Saeed was shown casting vote as ‘Saeed’s son, son-in-law and 13 women are among 265 JuD candidates contesting on Allahau-Akbar Tehreek (AAT) platform on national and provincial assemblies.’ 5 Pakistan were listed ‘sensitive’ zone prone to violence, an estimated eight lakh law enforcement and army personnel deployed and with fear of lurking violence around ‘1,000 kafan (burial shroud)’ were arranged.6 US Online News Media The dominant narrative and frames constructed by the US online news media included: conident Imran Khan’s aspiration to initiate revolution to create corruptionfree New Pakistan, clandestine patronage of the military to former cricket star, the unchallenged position of the military in Pakistan irrespective of the winner, how military will continue to prevail “very much ensconced” at the topmost echelons of authority in the country. Also, the narratives of how the new victory can bring political uncertainty in the country, mounting debt mess, pre-poll The narratives of Imran being the ‘blue-eyed boy’ of security establishment was countered by another narrative calling it a ‘conspiracy theory’ The news received much attention in Indian media and also highlighted US’ concern on the same. News regarding the anticipated poll violence were covered that how around 17,000 polling stations in militant strikes, military meddling, media repression and participation of terror’s heads in the elections.7 Furthermore, Imran’s campaign and its sweeping inluence on middleclass families and youth, his policy views, challenges before him were also covered. The allegations raised during the elections like poll rigging, methodical manipulation, eviction of polling agents during the vote count, delay in issuing results, military interference and Nawaz Sharif as the target of Pakistan military were also covered. Besides, news stories on expected ‘tumultuous relationship’ between US and Pakistan as Imran Khan’s critical stance on the US’ involvement in Afghanistan was also part of the online discourse. UK Online News Media The dominant narrative and frames constructed by the UK online news media included: the oficial prediction expected to see a major face-off between PTI and PML-N, the political dynamics of Pakistan, an anticipation of a political crisis and probability of fall of the government post-election. Also, a case in point, which deserves mention here, was the HARD talk interview of Dawn Media Group CEO Hameed Haroon carried out by BBC online. (Although, the interview was made viral on 19 July 2018, which is not within the time scope of the article paper, however, the due severity of revelation made by Hameed Haroon, it is included in the article). According to Dawn CEO, “deep state appeared to be working in favour of its preferred candidates” and 4. Pakistan General Election 2018: Politicians, journalists, analysts raise concern about allegations of rigging - Firstpost. (2018). Firstpost. Retrieved 3 August 2018, from https://www.irstpost.com/world/pakistan-general-election-2018politicians-journalists-analysts-raise-concern-about-allegations-of-rigging-4822131.html 5. LeT Haiz Saeed casts his vote during Pakistan general elections 2018. (2018). Zee News. Retrieved 4 August 2018, from http://zeenews.india.com/world/let-haiz-saeed-casts-his-vote-during-pakistan-general-elections-2018-2127538.html 6. Fearing Poll Violence, Oficials Arrange 1,000 Kafan In Pak’s Peshawar. (2018). NDTV.com. Retrieved 4 August 2018, from https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pakistan-general-election-2018-1-000-burial-shrouds-readied-in-peshawar-as-pakistanvotes-in-shadow-1889257 7. Bard Wilkinson, C. (2018). Imran Khan wants to create a ‘New Pakistan,’ but many fear more of the same. CNN. Retrieved 4 August 2018, from https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/23/asia/pakistan-election-imran-khan-intl/index.html September 2018 DEFENCE AND SECURITY ALERT 39 global reactions BALLOT BATTLE Imran Khan taking oath as Prime Minister of Pakistan (2018). alleged that military is meddling in the politics and favouring Imran Khan. He further revealed how Pakistani press is facing censorship and coercion before the polls.8 Another story by BBC online carried out Human Rights Commission of Pakistan observations, stating that, “blatant, aggressive and unabashed attempts” to manipulate the polls, with “alarming implications for Pakistan’s transition to an effective democracy”.9 Gulf Online News Media The dominant narrative and frames constructed by the Gulf online news media included: the popular Aljazeera online news portal also highlighted the massive irregularities in polls, alleged coercion and meddling of Pakistan military in the elections, poll violence, the massive crackdown of Pakistan media, intimidating of media personnel, Sharif conviction on corruption charges and so on. Also, the challenges before the new political leadership post-poll at national, regional, and global levels, Imran Khan’s views on society and political rivals, support to terror groups in polls, declining economy with the trade deicit of $36 billion and increasing debt of the country, were extensively covered. Moreover, Imran’s campaign was also highlighted, including his commitment to generate new jobs, provide ive million homes to the poor, increasing foreign investments, reconstruct the economy and so on. Another frame of ‘Pakistan’s foreign policy’ was also covered, which articulated about severe dificulties before the new government, including escalating tension with the US, perennial conlict with India, continuous challenges arising from war-torn Afghanistan, growing debt with 8. BBC interview stirs Pakistan controversy. (2018). BBC News. Retrieved 8 August 2018, from https://www.bbc.com/news/ world-asia-44872978 9. Why Pakistan’s election matters. (2018). BBC News. Retrieved 5 August 2018, from https://www.bbc.com/news/worldasia-44806381 40 September 2018 DEFENCE AND SECURITY ALERT China (estimated $19 billion dollars) and so on.10 Also, the narratives of Imran being the ‘blue-eyed boy’ of security establishment was countered by another narrative calling it a ‘conspiracy theory’, and the possibility which is improbable due to the difference in ‘personality and policy positions’ of Imran Khan and military.11 Canada Online News Media The dominant narrative and frames constructed by the online Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) included: a few stories majorly sourced from press pools regarding Pakistan elections. The major frames which were shared by the CBC online were more or less the same; the extensive fraud and massive manipulation which occurred during the polls, the poll violence which claimed around 31 lives in a suicide bombing outside the polling booth in Quetta, killing due to political rivalry, suspension of mobile and internet services due to security concerns in various parts of Baluchistan and so on.12 Furthermore, the CBC Radio interview of freelance journalist Shahzeb Jillani deserves another mention here. In view of Shahzeb Jillani, the present jubilation will be short-lived as it will be a formidable task for Imran Khan to please both domestic population and security establishment as the new premier. He also pointed out that ‘Imran Khan has polarised the country.’ Moreover, while stating his personal feelings with regards to the turn of events, he said that, ‘....sooner or later, there will be conlict. And it will be nasty, because he’s (Imran Khan) been brought to power with a lot of hope from his supporters and as he starts to kind of make compromises and change is not happening, it will turn out badly.”13 elections, the shadow of the deep state, interference of the military in the parliamentary polls, massive censorship of media, domestic as well as international challenges in front of the new premier and so on. The election concluded with victory of cricketer-turnedpolitician Imran Khan and his idea of ameliorating present failing state into ‘Naya Pakistan’ amidst anticipated political instability due to envisioned reforms, possibility of collapse of new government, One of the primary reasons behind the popularity of the Imran Khan was due to social media, which facilitated in generating a ‘populist wave’ for him Conclusion To conclude, the Pakistan General Elections witnessed diverse and complex frames, and different narratives weaved around those constructed perceptions, created by both domestic as well as global online news media. However, there were some similar frames and dominating narratives, which were shared by most of the online media, which were under the lens of the article. Some leading frames which inluenced Pakistan’s internal and international news discourses were: the allegation of manipulation in far-reaching challenges for the new leadership to achieve and fear of a puppet government in garb of democracy with the strings attached with the Pakistan military, as history have tendency to repeat itself. In words of Muhammad Iqbal, “Nations are born in the hearts of poets, they prosper and die in the hands of politicians.” Will Pakistan prosper or perish in the hands of new leadership headed by a former philanderer, cricketerturned-politician, Oxford-educated Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi, is yet to stand the litmus test of time? 10. Hussain, Z., & Hussain, Z. (2018). What direction will Pakistan’s foreign policy take after July 25?. Aljazeera.com. Retrieved 5 August 2018, from https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/direction-pakistan-foreign-policyjuly-25-180723112508467.html 11. Kugelman, M., & Kugelman, M. (2018). Is Imran Khan the Pakistani military’s ‘favourite son’?. Aljazeera.com. Retrieved 6 August 2018, from https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/imran-khan-pakistani-military-favouriteson-180723044709061.html 12. Imran Khan wins in Pakistan’s election, but no majority | CBC News. (2018). CBC. Retrieved 8 August 2018, from http:// www.cbc.ca/news/world/cricket-star-imran-khan-pakistan-election-vote-sharif-1.4763869 13. As Imran Khan declares victory in Pakistan, journalist predicts ‘nasty’ conlict | CBC Radio. (2018). CBC. Retrieved 8 August 2018, from https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-thursday-edition-1.4762780/as-imran-khandeclares-victory-in-pakistan-journalist-predicts-nasty-conlict-1.4762782 September 2018 DEFENCE AND SECURITY ALERT 41