Monday, January 23, 2012

Samaa Stoops to New Lows

What a fucking waste of a Sunday. Here I was minding my own business, trying to do some work, relax a little bit, surf the net and... I ended up watching 15 minutes of some five-day old desperate-for-ratings morning show on Samaa TV, hosted by an even more desperate-for-recognition C-grade actor called Maya Khan. I usually steer clear of vapid morning programming on all channels but I watched because so many people were feeling so outraged by what had gone on in the programme that I thought I might as well check.

And guess what? Everyone who was outraged by this show is perfectly right to be outraged. I am outraged. No, actually, outrage seems a small term for what I felt while watching the shenanigans of this miserable cow Maya Khan and her motley crew of rich Defence-type airheads and gossipy burqa-clad crusaders. I felt physically nauseous. This was a new low in sensationalist television crap.




Here were a bunch of television vigilantes serving as the television arm of the Jamia Hafsa crusaders in Islamabad, the cretinous sisters of the Taliban's moral police Amar bil Maaroof, nonsensically claiming to have a "picnic" in a park while harassing poor couples whose only crime seems to be exercising their right to privacy and consensually talking to a member of the opposite sex. (Note that NONE of the couples harassed by this bunch of airhead crusaders were indulging in any act of public indecency as claimed by one man towards the end of the clip.) This is total and utter bullshit. Not only does Samaa TV's goon squad invade the privacy of people, it blatantly ignores the consequences of putting these poor people's faces on air (who knows or cares what their domestic circumstances are) and lies to them about having their mikes and cameras switched off. This is unethical behaviour beyond all limits.

But there is a bigger social issue that the likes of Maya Khan and her rabid cohorts will never understand: the rapidly diminishing public space for the less affluent sections of society. The rich have a thousand options, proverbially speaking. Where are couples who cannot afford upmarket restaurants or have access to private house parties supposed to go to just sit and talk if not places such as parks or by the sea? And the addle-headed cow who argues about unmarried couples not being allowed to see each other? Who let her out of her house to go to a salon and get on television in the first place?

Is this what we have come to with the 'freedom' of the media? A blind rush for ratings at the expense of any civic, social or even common sense? Here is a wonderful Open Letter to Maya Khan from a far more restrained Mehreen Kasana. And there is also a petition that you can sign addressed to Samaa TV CEO Zafar Siddiqui, which I would urge you all to sign. Some people have also initiated letters to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) asking it to take notice of this content.

However, I think this is far too little for the likes of Maya Khan and her mongrels. This kind of socially destructive vigilantism should be nipped in the bud and taken note of by the government itself. The entire crew and aunty brigade should all be charged, perhaps for taking the law into their hands, for invasion of privacy and also for sexual harrassment. A message should be sent out to ratings-hungry television channels that there are limits to what they can do.

Incidentally, it may be recalled that Samaa has caused serious damage before. Thankfully, it had sacked Meher Bokhari after her sensationalist comments about Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer helped create the atmosphere that led to his assassination. One had hoped it had learnt its lesson. It looks like it needs a sharp reminder.


35 comments:

Farhan said...

It's outrageous. I wish the samaa tv people take some action. People like her are only taking advantage of a weak judicial system in the country. But I hope someone pursues this legally. This bitch needs to be taught a lesson.

Truth Exposed said...

Although I do NOT agree with this this entirely (lal Masjid part) but I hate this show, You can see this host dancing live on TV on youtube while preeching Islam to others here.
Why not she goes to some PC or Marriott where security guard will blow her ass if she tries to enter the room of someone where very same stuff is going on??? IS morality only left for poor people???
I think it is just cheap publicity stunt.

Zakintosh said...

Thank you for this piece. A lot of people have been outraged by the Samaa/Maya disaster and many have complained … but your editorials are also read by many who may have missed this morning's messages.

Nadia Zaffar said...

You said it Cafe Pyala

PHYSICALLY NAUSEATED

Enam Hasan said...

Maya's accompanied by Amber, formerly of The News. I guess she is Shalaat's wife, but she herself was a bombshell in her days. And even in this clip, where she is following the instructions of that cow, Maya, she doesn't seem all that Islami. What a pathetic state of mind (and affairs), really!

Enam Hasan said...

I don't mind her or anyone being whatever-shell they want to be or come across, as long as people (poor/ rich/ whatever) are left alone in their private space.

Anonymous said...

the best solution to shut up thier bullshit was naked calls to them, definitely they shut their camera and stupit task...I think in so called jamia hafza crew is there anywomen can claim that they were still virgin before marraige?

Subika said...

Absolutely disgusting behaviour from this crew and was soo ashamed to see their actions! Thank you for articulating the truth about these people. Hopefully, she will see the outrage made by so many!

Anonymous said...

Well I think the best way to punish the channel is to simply switch off. Let's all go on a Samaa holiday!

zank said...

Initially i thiught you mist have been a bit harsh calling her a fat cow. But within two minutes of realizing what was happening the title applied very fittingly.

Im not sure if its our religion or this cultural metamorphosis of self righteousness that pakistan has developed, but for some reason i fail to our understand people in our country feel they must enforce their sense of right or wrong on everybody else. If it was a debate, sure i can understand people trying to get their point across, but its actionssuch as this that are just invading other peoples privacy through vigalantiism that i find offensive.

Not onky that, but it seems everyone was 100% justified in what they were doing, no matter what religious edicts they themselves might have broken. As i was watchingnthose other two fat cows running after the couple, i couldnt help but wonder why "lower your gaze and guard your modesty" didnt apply to those women. Afterall, islam is nit very fond of women running. What abiut the woman in the jeans? I bet she was being judged by the hijabi crowd what about the non hijabis vs hijabis. Every single person in that group probabky thought they were on that perfect plain of rightousness and everybody else even in that group was wrong.

Lastly, it felt to me like the dude in the end just made that story up as he went along. With the "unmentionable acts", and his song talking about love. He probably somehow justified that it was ok to lie, since it was for a good cause.

I wish one of those people was semi intelligent and courageous enough to confront the group on live tv and ask them what right any of these cows had to be doong what they were doing.

Im moving back to pakistan in 2 months, its going to be a helluva time.

salar maiwand said...

outrageous, disgusting. I wish i was there in the park with my girlfriend. I would have engaged them in a pretty good conversation. and may have punched them in the end. it makes me puke. lets spread the word and lets dig out her life since she is so nosy.
I tell you this Talibanization must be stopped or it is going to further rot the rotten society.

Anonymous said...

Are these type of reality shows usually not scripted?

rehan said...

WTF is this? I agree that media is free in Pakistan, no doubt about it. This freedom was fast and quite random. Everybody jumped in to have a slice from this lucrative pie. These so called media persons have yet to figure out what are the ethics required for presenting something like this. I am sure there are many people in Pakistan who would like this show and would fully agree with what this "cow" is doing. But i am very much sure that majority of our society will disapprove what she is doing. I wish i was in Karachi and I wish this cow approaches me while i am on a date! ai am sure she would get what she deserves from me!
Cheers!

aroused said...

u know what, these cows arouse me. I am aroused by their body curves visible in their clothes solely desgined for that purpose. I am aroused by Maya's b**bs and her glasses. so whose fault is this according to shariah. who is to be punished. I am also aroused to commit some fleshly sin.

LUBP said...

Maya Khan dancing with a 'na-mehram' and in the end of clip hugging him .... where is the Nikah Naama ? :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qFuxbjafdM

kona berwalla said...

This is a shocking new indeed.

It also shows the fickle nature of pursuing random relics of religious rules to suits one's agenda/motive. Not all that different from the mullah who went around murdering 'immoral', uncovered women. Funny thing is, he wouldn't have blinked twice over pulling the trigger on any of these fat aunties.

Cyclic murderers, are we all?

user said...

pakistan media is a joke.

and it will continue to be as long as there are millions of viewers who lap it all up and react.
I hope there can be some actions and regulations to monitor all content in the future. i am not advocating censorship, but any general kind of standar would be much appreciated.

user said...

*standard

Anonymous said...

Here's another drama from the drama queen Maya 'Cow' Khan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXDGjHQLXeI

Anonymous said...

I don't know what words I should use for this hungry media and people like Maya Khan. Don't there is any code of conduct for media. Are they stands above all and have immunity whatever they do. They don't have right to interfere in someone personal matters. I would call all the 21st terrorist.

Anonymous said...

People.. you all are welcome to lodge complains.. my complain number is 930 :)

http://www.pemra.gov.pk/feedback/

Anonymous said...

The video was taken off but here is the link of another copy.

QS said...

http://www.kalam.tv/ur/video/100922/index.html

link to the show.

Sana Khan said...

Today Morning, The video disappeared from Youtube and after a long struggle I managed to find this here on VidJin
Maya Khan in Karachi Parks

Emm said...

What we are doing: rambling about her, while she laughs it off.
What we SHOULD be doing: heading to the nearest park in pairs!!!!

Global_Paki said...

Every one agrees that uneducated or illeducated religious minded extremists(like any other violent ideology inspired extremeits) require attention and all sorts of efforts to win their hearts and minds & and to convince them to live and let others live peacefully...
But after watching this video I am convinced that Pakistani society and specially muslim dominated societies now faces much bigger problem...far complexer and difficult to win..this problem is those (ill)educated people from best institution and professional qualification from upper class who looks liberal from physical appearance and way of life but have fascistic, hypocritical and paranoid tendencies...
These sort of people are best characterized by Maya Khan who after open elite dating, dancing and partying, now go live on air hunting and condemning not so elite ordinary young couples who were enjoying life the way Maya Khan herself enjoyed or still enjoying , and Mr Imran Khan, , who after living his technicolor 'Humble Sinful' now openly craves for Shraia-Law and vows to stone any one who dare to commit vey act that Imran enthusiastically engaged himself.

Anonymous said...

I don't know what should I say about Maya Khan video.How she is ruining other's very personal matters. how Sama channel can do that? do this channel has any code of conduct? if any girl was kill because of matter of respect does Sama channel or Maya khan can do something? if you don't know how to give awareness than don't make fun with others life.

Anonymous said...

Havent these ladies have their own and Kids and Husbands to attend to? what part of Shariat gave them permission to roam around the city with namehrams and without hijab?

pussy cat vigilantism said...

ladies and gentlemen, let not your rage and anger against "pussy cat vigilantism" (NFP)die down until some solid action is taken to prevent other pussy and Tom cats from repeating their idotic and moronic dumbshit.

Zwandun said...

"Aaj Maya kha kuch naya karney wali hain"
Dear Maya khan, please come to our town n thrust your camera in people's anuses to see if they have piles after all it is a public hazard.

efff said...

& look what she says now, I think she is acting like Aamir Liaqat did after his video, have a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obVd-Mt8cno

Anonymous said...

Whatever the level of journalism-
it is a reflection of our cowardice and hypocrisy. We want one thing but don't have the guts to admit it- we are stagnating, rotting with no principles or morality. If she was trying to make a point of this she got a very strong reaction.
But look at all the personal comments, all these by educated ppl who can at least write in English, directly hitting upon the Presenters looks, character etc. M really saddened by such low mentality.
We we ever rise as a nation?
Will we ever separate the truth from the untruth and have clarity of thought and mind.
Please have some respect- why are you bothered about the presenters virginity, her private life, her curves?
Even Allah forgives what happens in private.

AsianGerman said...

Yes. what she did was wrong. BUT the fact remains that public parks have become a no-go areas for families because of these dates. These couples indulge in pretty indecent behavior there. I have heard from my women relatives with small children that they cannot go these parks anymore, like they used to go 10-20 years ago. It is the responsibility of the Govt to ensure that public parks remain accessible to families by removing people involved in drugs, begging, and indecent behavior.
One argument that is given is that these couple's privacy was violated. This is very strange. How can people have privacy in "public" parks? You cannot do whatever you want in public. Same is true for public restaurants, shops, libraries, etc.
Another argument I saw was that parks are a way of poor people to enjoy a loving partner and rich ppl hire hotels etc for this purpose. Well, on the other hand, it is mostly poor people who visit these parks with their families, so we are removing their cheap way of enjoying with their families.
Lastly, again what Maya Khan did was wrong, but we have to see what prompted her to do that? It is typical situation of people taking law in their own hands due to inaction by police or govt. It is like people burning tyres or wapda offices to get electricity, or people punishing decoits themselves. When police don't work or listen, and the society has an increasing problem, people take desperate actions, which is wrong, but doesn't occur without reason.

Anonymous said...

topic which she raised was interesting but she did mistake in presenting it. We need to think why these couples secretely meet and greet in public parks during their study or office hours. Anything which is done secretly is wrong at first place. Need to tell our youth to not waste their times in parks rather work hard in studies and jobs

Anonymous said...

What a fucking waste of a Sunday. Here I was minding my own business, trying to do some work, relax a little bit, surf the net and... I ended up watching 15 minutes of some five-day old desperate-for-ratings morning show on Samaa TV, hosted by an even more desperate-for-recognition C-grade actor called Maya Khan. I usually steer clear of vapid morning programming on all channels but I watched because so many people were feeling so outraged by what had gone on in the programme that I thought I might as well check.very good post and that is my favorite blog