The world of private screens

The soft thud of a newspaper landing on the gate as the hawker passed by and the rustling of pages in households as family members sifted through the latest edition for news about their country and the world may soon become relics of the past. Newspaper subscriptions are at an all-time low in Pakistan, as in many other nations. Increasingly, people are turning to the digital world to access news and opinions on political, social, and cultural happenings.

This digital shift represents a profound change, but it also brings with it significant challenges. Newspapers and television channels, once deemed indispensable fixtures of daily life, are now migrating to digital platforms to stay relevant. These platforms allow users to curate their experiences, choosing precisely what they want to watch and when they want to watch it. This newfound flexibility has reshaped how news and entertainment are consumed and presented. Across the globe, newspapers are reinventing themselves in digital formats, targeting younger audiences while striving to retain loyal readers who have been their mainstay for decades.

As time progresses, however, these older readers are diminishing, leaving behind a world increasingly dominated by those willing and able to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Many households now resemble small, disconnected digital hubs, where communal television viewing has been replaced by individual screens. Family members retreat to their personal laptops, tablets, or smartphones, often with earphones or earbuds that further isolate them from one another. This dramatic shift represents not just a technological evolution but a profound social change that may redefine family dynamics in the years to come.

The digital world offers undeniable convenience but also introduces a host of dangers. One of the most pressing concerns is the reliability of the information it disseminates. In a space where traditional checks and balances are largely absent, even reputable hosts can sometimes broadcast unchecked or deliberately misleading news. Unlike newspapers or traditional television channels, digital platforms often lack rigorous editorial oversight, making it difficult to discern fact from fiction.

This issue is particularly pronounced in countries like Pakistan, where literacy rates are low and digital literacy is even lower. Many viewers lack the tools to critically evaluate the credibility of digital content, leaving them vulnerable to manipulation. The rise of 'vlogs' and independent digital programmes, often run by individuals with their own agendas, compounds the problem. Without mechanisms to verify the authenticity of their claims, viewers risk consuming content that has little or no grounding in reality.

Given these risks, it is imperative to double-check information against more established platforms before sharing or acting on it. Unfortunately, the viral nature of digital media, where videos and posts can spread like wildfire, often leaves little room for such caution. The speed and reach of digital platforms, while advantageous in some respects, can amplify the spread of false or misleading information. This phenomenon has already created countless scenarios where misinformation has caused real harm, ranging from individual reputations being tarnished to widespread panic triggered by fabricated news stories.

Despite these challenges, digital platforms hold immense potential. They can cater to specific interests, deliver news almost instantaneously, and offer a level of interactivity that traditional media simply cannot match. Conventional television channels have already begun leveraging digital forums to diversify their offerings, often using these platforms to air content they cannot broadcast on regular channels due to regulatory or commercial constraints.

This evolution has ushered in a new era where people increasingly inhabit private, individualised worlds. Within households, the once-centralised family television has been replaced by personal devices, each offering tailored content. While this shift has its advantages, it also raises questions about its long-term impact on social cohesion and collective experiences. Families, once bonded by shared entertainment and news consumption, are now fragmented by individual preferences and viewing habits. This fragmentation could have far-reaching implications for interpersonal relationships and social structures.

The adaptability of conventional news forums will be crucial in this new landscape. To remain relevant, they must carve out a space in the digital realm, appealing to audiences across age groups and interests. Some platforms are already taking advantage of the internet's greater freedom, though this freedom may be curtailed by future government regulations. Legal challenges to government-imposed restrictions are already underway, highlighting the ongoing tension between digital freedom and regulatory control.

The digital world is no longer a distant reality; it is here, firmly embedded in our daily lives. How we choose to engage with it will shape its impact on our society. In the past, news was curated and controlled by institutions. In the digital age, this responsibility has shifted to the viewers themselves, who must develop the discernment to separate fact from fiction. The responsibility placed on individuals to critically analyse content and avoid spreading misinformation is a new and, for many, daunting reality.

In Pakistan, the need for digital literacy is especially urgent. Numerous cases have emerged of digital media hosts disseminating false or misleading information, often driven by the pursuit of 'likes' and increased viewership. The lack of awareness about the prevalence of such practices exacerbates the problem. In many instances, sensationalism takes precedence over accuracy, undermining the credibility of digital media as a whole. The ability to navigate this complex landscape requires more than just technical proficiency; it demands a critical mindset and an understanding of the ethics of information sharing.

This transformation is not without its social consequences. The sense of shared ritual that once characterised television news – when families gathered for the 9pm bulletin – is rapidly fading. Private screens have not only supplanted television as the primary medium for news consumption but have also edged out newspapers, relegating them to a secondary role. This trend is likely to accelerate, fundamentally altering how people access and perceive news. The loss of collective viewing experiences reflects a broader cultural shift, one that emphasises individualism over communal participation.

Existing electronic and print media must rise to the challenge by adapting their formats and strategies to fit the digital mould. Reliability and accessibility will be key to their success in this new environment. Some progress is already evident, but much remains to be done. As digital platforms gain prominence, the pace of change is only expected to quicken. Traditional media organisations must balance their legacy of credibility with the demands of a fast-paced, ever-changing digital audience.

The shift to digital media represents a pivotal moment in the history of information dissemination. While it offers unprecedented opportunities for innovation and engagement, it also demands a greater degree of responsibility from both content creators and consumers. For traditional media outlets, the challenge lies in maintaining their credibility and relevance in a world increasingly dominated by digital platforms. For viewers, the challenge is to navigate this new landscape with caution and critical thinking.

The digital age has already begun to reshape our lives in profound ways. As we move forward, it is essential to strike a balance between embracing its benefits and mitigating its risks. The onus is on all of us – media organisations, governments, and individuals – to ensure that the digital world becomes a force for good rather than a source of division or misinformation.

The writer is a freelance columnist and former newspaper editor. She can be reached at: kamilahyat@hotmail.com