Undeniably when it comes to social norms in any sector of life, everyone looks at the how things are treated as socially acceptable. Let it be media or any industry people keenly look at things that are socially acceptable and do not hurt the social heritage being carried forward.
Recently many attempts have been made by ad agencies to detour the socially acceptable phenomenon of the broadcasting and print media. Previously QMobile broadcasted an ad with objectionable words which the critics and the public protested against and blamed that it effects the young mind in negative dimensions. The second which I might say very pathetic and cheap publicity has been made by Mobilink in Jang’s JazzX Mobile Phone ad.
A couple of days ago Mobilink Jazz X Mobile Phone has introduced a range of 3G-enabled handsets that have been endorsed by Nargis Fakhri in a TVC as well. But what has gone viral with much panic in public and critics is the print ad of Nargis on the front page of Jang lying with objectionably body posture. Undoubtedly, latent motives are used in ads to lure public but the violence of social norms with lusty nature of the ads among important and significant material should be taken as unnecessary distractions and must be avoided. In addition to this the placement is the most objectionable part. The way the rest of the news are dispersed with Nargis Fakhri as focal point, is a clear violence of the reporting norms in Pakistan.
Nargis Fakhri is top leading model of Bollywood and the trend like these can hurt the industry overall as Indian media is already influencing our attitude. While still the critics’ claim it to be more of placement problem than the national issue. Any model postured and placed like this will be criticized if taken instead of Nargis Fakhri.
Currently every reporting channel is showing serious concerns over this issue and audience is also considering it a shame for ad placement agencies. This kind of feedback is clear slap on the face of the operator, agencies and print media. We hope that the lessons will be learned and we may not see similar violation of socially acceptable principle in media reporting.