Last weekend, LIVE with HSY returned with another must-see session! Dynamic host HSY and renowned Pakistani actress, Sanam Saeed discussed the problems with banning digital content (i.e. web-series Churails) and the effectiveness of PEMRA. Both superstars voiced their thoughts on the popular debate around banned content in Pakistan. They discussed the censorship of various forms of content and whether it’s effective for policing moralities.
As the discussion progressed HSY asked Sanam Saeed on where she stands in terms of banning content and platforms in Pakistan. The actress responded by stating that anything which is provocative, brazen or risky would be banned in a country like Pakistan and the recently banned web series definitely pushed people’s buttons. “I think people will take time to understand that Churails’ characters, dialogues, or the relationships are all based on reality.” She continued by stating that these stories are based on real-life situations and circumstances. Saeed made a reference to colonial writers Manto and Ismat Chughtai whose work had also been banned in the past for the narratives they put forth.
She further went on questioning what content should actually be allowed, “I might get in trouble for saying this but Islam is for everyone and its different for different people. Everyone has their own religion. Whatever our religion teaches or whatever we have learned about our religion is all right but life is very different. People will say this isn’t art otherwise why aren’t strip shows art? But if you see the context, there are all kinds of people. Their preferences are different, their experiences are different. What about casting couch? You can’t make a movie on casting couch to show the harsh realities of life, to show other people’s journey. If you don’t want to show it to your people because our religion doesn’t allow it then I think it’s very naïve.”
Both host and guest further discussed the bans which have been in effect because of PEMRA. They questioned why soap ads with someone bathing in a bathtub can be shown but other content gets censored. Biscuit ads full of dancing might perhaps get banned but at the same time Tarang ads that were also similar would be allowed to air. One questions PEMRA’s reasoning and criteria for the banning.
HSY and Sanam Saeed agreed censorship is necessary in some cases but the need to revise what’s being censored is important as well. Saeed proceeded to state that the public is getting confused about what is okay and what’s not okay. Artists, on the other hand, are not getting a lot of support for their expressive work these days. Whereas, people posting explicit content related to pedophilia go unnoticed by censorship organizations. Both stars discussed how action needs to be taken in the right direction and if content is to be banned then why not ban existing obscene Facebook groups.
This was definitely another eye-opening session of LIVE With HSY. Eagerly awaiting the next discourse.
For anyone whose missed the session, you can easily find the discussion posted on HSY’s IGTV or Youtube channel.
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