THE media is dubbed as the fourth pillar of the state all over the world. It plays an important role as an informative bridge between governing bodies and the public. Diring Musharraf`s regime the media saw a decisive progress that would lead to boom in Pakistan`s electronic media.

Now more than hundred TV channels are broadcasting their transmission in the country.

The media is working as awatchdog. It was the media only which made the lawyers` movement a triumph and restoration of judges.

Despite activism, there are many areas that are not highlighted by the media.

For instance, the condition of our courts is miserable. If you go to acourtand want to get copies of a verdict, you have to pay bribe to the personnel of courts. If you attend the `dates` in courts, youhave topaytoyouradvocate as their`kharcha pani`, besides their fixed fee.

To forward a file in any government office, you have to pay a bribe. If you want to file an FIR in the police station, you have to pay a bribe. If you want to install a gas, water or power connection at your office or home, you have to pay a bribe. If you have to have your gas and water pipeline or electricity wire repaired by the authorities concerned,you have to paya bribe to the repairer as their `kharcha pani` The `muhafiz` in the Punjab police are another example of paying a bribe to get selected in the police department. The Pakistan police have been named as the most frequent recipient of bribes in the 2010 Global Corruption Barometer of Transparency International.

Why are these malpractices not displayed? M. MUKARRAM Lahore