Journalist Saer Criticizes Information Department Directive to Publish News in Scroll Format

BD Digest Report

After the government’s directive to broadcast propaganda news on television channels, renowned investigative journalist Zulkarnain Saer has taken to social media to criticize the current government’s claim to public trust by sharing a screenshot of an official message from the Directorate of Information, quoting a popular song.

Last Saturday (April 18), an urgent message was sent to all electronic media from the Department of Information. Message number 242 clearly states that “People’s trust in the government has returned in two months – Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli” and this statement should be broadcast in ‘scroll’ form on every television channel.

Immediately after the Department of Information’s directive, Zulkarnain Saer took to his verified Facebook page to mock the issue. He used a line from a folk song and wrote, “If you force me, I will get your body, but I will not get your mind.” My friend, your eyes are not good.

Analysts believe that through this message, Saer essentially meant that while news of ‘trust’ can be disseminated using the media on government orders, it is not possible to win the spontaneous support or ‘hearts’ of the common people.

According to the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, the current government has been able to gain huge public support and trust in just two months of coming to power. However, many concerned see the government’s prescription for mandatory scrolling of this news as a tool to control the media.

A copy of the Department of Information’s directive is now viral on social media. Netizens’ comments and reactions, especially under Sayer’s post, indicate that there is a mixed public opinion about this government ‘PR activity’. Many see such a forced campaign by the government as part of ‘psychological warfare’ in the face of political instability and economic challenges post-August 5.

This post by Zulkarnain Saer has sparked widespread discussion in political circles, where he directly pointed out that while it is possible to capture the channel’s screen with instructions, it is difficult to capture the trust of the people.