During the fortnight there were two episodes of the News Night that focused purely on politics. On September 2nd, Federal law minister, Khalid Ranjha (eight minutes forty-one seconds), PPP’s Syed Iqbal Haider (five minutes and six seconds) and Tehrik-I-Insaf’s Ahmad Raza Kasuri (four minutes and two seconds) discussed the rejection of Benazir Bhutto’s nomination papers.
On September 3rd, the PPP’s Fakhar Zaman (six minutes), the PML’s Wasim Sijjad (four minutes and eleven seconds) and Jamaat-I-Islami’s Prof. Ghafoor Ahmad (four minutes) discussed lifting of ban on political activities and given Code of Conduct for such activities. In another episodes of the News Night on September 6th an impression was given that restoration of democracy was not an issue with the United States of America.
NEWS AT 10
The News at Ten on PTV World News has opted for collective-news frame for the reportage on politics. The anchorperson speaks to the PTV World News correspondents in Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar. The so-called creative style deprives the viewers to watch the footage of various political activities in the country, whereas the reportage of the activities of the ministers carry proper visuals and on occasions interviews.
Nonetheless in terms of the individual news frames the activities of Muttahida Majlis-I-Amal (MMA) were covered for four minutes and thirty-three seconds, next to MMA was the PML (Q) that received the coverage for two minutes and thirty three seconds. The PML-N got forty-nine seconds, Pakistan Peoples Party thirty three seconds, the PML (Zia) nineteen seconds and Millat Party seventeen seconds,
In terms of negative reportage the PPP leader, Benazir Bhutto was targeted for four minutes and twelve second in two special reports about her disqualification. The PPP together with PML (N) was also target of negative reportage for two minutes forty-three seconds over their emerging political friendship.
In terms of collective frames the filling, acceptance, rejection and appeals about nomination papers, measures taken by the Election Commission, meetings of European Union, National Democratic Institute, the Canadian and the Norwegian observers also got coverage in both Khabarnama and News at Ten.
The Pakistan Television also announced its’ tariffs for paid political publicity. During the first phase that will be till September 15 the parties were given an option to buy time at the rate of Rs. 20,000 per minute. The rates during the second phase (Sept. 16 to Sept. 30) has been determined as Rs. 30,000 per minute. During the third phase (Oct. 1 to Oct. 8, 2002) this rate would jump to Rs 50,000 per minute. The telecast time on PTV was announced between 21:30 hrs to 2230 hrs with an option of repeat on PTV World at payment of an additional Rs. 100,000. The rates for commercial spots (minimum one minute) during the prime time (19:00 hrs to 21:00 hrs) were Rs 1,32, 250. However there was no evidence of any enthusiasm for paid political publicity among the parties till September 9, 2002.
Code of conduct for
the electronic media Pakistan TV for October 10 polls:
The coverage on the electronic media should be fair, balanced and unbiased in favour of any political party, a candidate or a leader in respect of the following:
Campaigning and excerpts from campaign speeches;
Symbols, banners, flags and other campaign material of parties;
Results of opinion polls by non-political, professional organizations with a proven track record;
Party manifestos (critical analysis of which is also perfectly legitimate);
Candidates and their views in different constituencies across the country;
The positions taken by the main parties on different issues important to the electorate;
Debates between major parties and candidates;
Analysis of previous voting pattern, victory margins swings etc.
There should be no coverage of any election speeches or other material that incites violence;