Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Take a look at how Dawn and The News have covered yesterday's proceedings in the Supreme Court, hearing the challenges to the 18th Constitutional Amendment.

Here's Dawn's story on its front page, and here's The News', which is, in fact, its main lead.

See the difference? The News focuses on Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday's comments that seem to indicate the Supreme Court is gunning for the government, which fits in nicely with the Jang Group's overall position or hope, as espoused by its various anchors on Geo. Dawn's story, on the other hand, takes as its highlight, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja's comment, which implies that the court is sensitive to the political legitimacy of the elected government. Which fits in nicely with Dawn's overall gentler line about the government.

Of course, both these comments were made in the court by fellow judges, there is no question of that. But let this be a lesson in deconstructing the 'angle' or spin the media can impart to a news event.