Morons like Aamir Liaqat make a mockery of religion

 

from Petition Against Aamir Liaqat:

"Morons like Aamir Liaqat make a mockery of religion"

https://www.change.org/p/boycott-amir-liaqat-in-ramzan-we-don-t-want-aamir-liaquat/c

Letter to Chair of TV and Video Department of L.A.C.C. about Ethics and Responsibility in the Media

 

(21) Letter to TV Department

5-29-97

Dear Department Chair for TV Students,
Los Angeles City College
TV and Video Production program

I am greatly concerned that in the TV classes, the instructors hardly ever talk about Ethics or responsibility. Media in general, and TV in particular are extremely powerful tools. Any powerful tool can be misused. Students need to be made aware of the propaganda, consumerism, "double-speak" and withholding of information, which we see on TV. We should be given an opportunity to discuss such issues in class and possibly come up with some ideas and solutions. This will create a much richer educational experience. Here, I am not referring to the moral issues of what my kid should watch on TV, nor about requiring rating systems and computer chips to block out certain shows.

Since TV has a powerful impact on its viewer, it has been misused throughout its history. In class, we don't discuss the fact that people believe that what they see on TV is the truth. Often people running for government offices make promises on TV. Later, they do not keep these promises. Corporations spend millions of dollars to promote a fantasy image about themselves through their commercials. Taking it a level further, how about all the commercials which are trying to sell us the latest cars, or the latest luxury items? From a psychological perspective, how does this promotion of consumerism effect an ordinary person? Do these commercials make people in Los Angeles, for example, feel like they are superior human beings if they drive the newest car? Do these ads promote classism?

How about, when some story involving violence is shown on the news. If it's a bomb, it must be those Arab.. terrorists? This is what they initially said about the Oklahoma Federal building bombing. It is what they guessed about the bombing during the Olympics in Georgia, and about the plane crash in New York. What about telling the students how certain groups of people are subtly demonized, misrepresented and stereotyped? Often we are not even aware of the hidden messages. The policemen who brutally beat Rodney King, as seen on TV, were found not guilty, which sparked "Riots" in "South Central" L.A. The students need to be informed that the African American community and well informed people refer to these incidents as "civil unrest". The news does not attempt to educate people about the sociological aspects of violence. They are in the business of sensationalizing an issue, which will attract attention, which will sell more commercials, which will make more money for someone.

I mean, forget about us as ordinary viewers....How about us as TV students, Are we supposed to just ignore these issues and just roll the camera? Is it true that if a company has enough money, they can say whatever they want to on TV? The Nazis used films to promote their propaganda, and the viewers simply conformed. Is that what is expected of us, the students, to not discuss in class, these important issues that effect millions of people every day? Should we not be taught the truth about the power and effects of TV? Should we not be taught to question what we see on TV?

The ordinary person gets his news and information through TV. It often does not portray minorities and people of other cultures, in a positive light. How often are the villains shown as some dark skinned, cynical, violent and crazy individuals. Sure, everyone is supposed to have freedom of speech. But what about the freedom of information? Shouldn't people (or students) be informed of the whole truth about TV? What can we as viewers do to hold someone accountable for putting something on the air? What can we as students, and future employees of this industry, do, to act in a responsible and ethical manner? There is too much truth which is eliminated or not mentioned. Should we as students take some kind of oath of responsibility like doctors or court witnesses do? Or should we care about nothing?

 

Comfortable, Numb and Naive

Comfortably Numb

Get in touch with god
Turn the radio on

Get a house full of lies
Power the TV on

Read the bed time stories in the newspaper
Lull yourself into a hypnotic stupor

Switch to the music channels

Turn on your body, blindfold your soul

Tune into nine thousand outlets on cable

Get your head programmed

Watch the celebrities and wana-be's with envy
Hear the news anchors spinning and miseducating

Talk show pundits instigating and hating

Putting spells on us til we're oblivious

Drinking and roaring for sports

Is this like bread and circus for the Romans?

The last thing the fish notices

Is the water it's immersed in

(by Fazeel Azeez Chauhan, 1-29-97)

Aero Straight and Narrow

Aero Straight and Narrow

You're possessed

By TV's empty fantasies

Hot air is everywhere

Your ears are filled

With parasitic words

You murder time

Among friends

I'm trying to be mindful

I'm trying to be me

And not get manipulated

My words are thoughtful

Based on tests and time

You may not value them now

Ignorance is ignoring the truth

Come get me

When you get tired

Of meaningless conversations

If I'm lucky enough

To still be here

Fazeel Azeez Chauhan

5-6-00