How Free is ’free?’

Re: # 62

LH,
i am currently working on a research paper that tries to link the `liberalization` of the mass media in pakistan to wider debates about economic growth, inequality and `development` itself.
would love to share ideas.

best,
shan

True, complete press freedom may be a long time in the making in Pakistan. But I`m not so convinced that the song everyone is singing these days is about how free the Pakistani press is now. Freedom House, which dropped Pakistan from the `Partly Free` category to the `Not Free` category in 2004. Reporters Sans Borders places ranks Pakistan as 150 in a list of 167 countries, in terms of press freedom. Moreover, there is an entire cannon of media theory that argues that the press in military regimes simply cannot be free.
Perhaps some of the excitement about the relative liberalisation of the press, of a higher degree of press freedom has been exaggerated in Pakistan. But the press freedom in Pakistan has definetly improved, and this fact is being ignored all over, due to stereotypes about the performance of the press in military regimes.
I`m currently writing my msc dissertation on press freedom in Pakistan, and am trying desperately to conquer the stereotype that exists the world over, and argue that, rather than worsening, as all international authorities suggest, press freedom in Pakistan is actually improving.

Hi, Nice article, but who is this loser Salim.....

rec`d this note from beena -- t

dear all,

What could not be published in my article in The
News on Sunday (TNS) Dialogue pages today, below,
is that the men who questioned Amir Mir came to
his house in Nov 2004 soon after his book was
published identified themselves as belonging to
an intelligence agency but did not produce any
proof. A former senior intelligence officer I met
yesterday and mentioned this case to, accused
Amir of writing untruths -- which even if it were
true does not justify the actions against him.
And to which Amir responds that if there are
factual inaccuracies in his stories, then someone
should please point them out. He is now looking
for freelance writing assignments as no newspaper
group in Pakistan is ready to hire him.
n.b. see another story about `intelligence`
shenanigans in TNS today by Adnan Rehmat -
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jul2005-weekly/nos-17-07-2005/dia.htm#1

beena

Yo Kham and Salim

Take your fight elsewhere. Don`t you guys have any shame? People are discussing ``serious`` issues here - don`t disturb them :)

what does a psychopath do..when he has no answers... see below...

#20 by premwalla on July 22, 2005 11:29am PT
Khamkhwa,
Fuck your niece.
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#19 by premwalla on July 22, 2005 11:28am PT
Khamkhwa,
Fuck your great-grandmother.
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#18 by premwalla on July 22, 2005 11:28am PT
Khamkhwa,
Fuck your great-grandfather.
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#17 by premwalla on July 22, 2005 11:28am PT
Khamkhwa,
Fuck your grandfather.
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#16 by premwalla on July 22, 2005 11:28am PT
Khamkhwa,
Fuck your grandmother.
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#15 by premwalla on July 22, 2005 11:27am PT
Khamkhwa,
Fuck your brother.
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#14 by premwalla on July 22, 2005 11:27am PT
Khamkhwa,
Fuck your father.
user posts | profile


#13 by premwalla on July 22, 2005 11:27am PT
Khamkhwa,
Fuck your sister.
user posts | profile


#12 by premwalla on July 22, 2005 11:27am PT
Khamkhwa,
Fuck your mom.

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front page chowkies...who do you see here...;)

Cleckley`s original list of symptoms of a psychopath:

1. GLIB and SUPERFICIAL CHARM -- the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Psychopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A psychopath never gets tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example.
2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH -- a grossly inflated view of one`s abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Psychopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.
3. NEED FOR STIMULATION or PRONENESS TO BOREDOM -- an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have a low self-discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine.
4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING -- can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest.
5. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS- the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one`s victims.
6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT -- a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and unempathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one`s victims.
7. SHALLOW AFFECT -- emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness.
8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY -- a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.
9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE -- an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities.
10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS -- expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.
11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR -- a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.
12. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS -- a variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home.
13. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS -- an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.
14. IMPULSIVITY -- the occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.
15. IRRESPONSIBILITY -- repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.
16. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS -- a failure to accept responsibility for one`s actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.
17. MANY SHORT-TERM MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS -- a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital.
18. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY -- behavior problems between the ages of 13-18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.

Journalists protesting & appealing in front of Islamabad Press Club for the release of incarcerated colleagues