THIS year was no different in terms of television programmes that private channels aired as part of their Ramazan transmissions during the sacred month.
Apparently designed to promote the spirit of the month, the programmes fail to align their content with the true essence of Ramazan. The channels have become part of a rating competition where entertainment and commercial success take precedence over meaningful engagement.
A few Pakistani celebrities appear on multiple channels throughout the month, repeatedly answering the same clichéd questions. Most of these discussions revolve around celebrities` personal life, like how they celebrate Ramazan, andsome irrelevant personal details. Ideally, these discussions should focus on providing valuable insights into spiritual experiences and personal growth. Religious scholars also feature in these programmes, but, instead of engaging in constructive discussions to spread religious knowledge, they often indulge in conflict-driven debates.
The regulatory authorities need to establish guidelines that encourage meaningful, respectful and knowledgedriven content. The time to do this is now, so that everyone may have ample time to prepare for the next year`s Ramazan.
