The reality of TV
The tragic case of Saad Khan, a 32-year old contestant on a Pakistani game show being filmed in Thailand who died while taking part in one of the show’s stunts, highlights the serious issue of safety and regulation in the Pakistani media.
The days of one state-controlled channel informing the obedient nation of what the president did today or which foreign dignitaries the prime minister entertained are long gone. Pakistan’s media scene has transformed over the past decade – and generally for the better. It’s a good thing that there are now dozens of television channels all competing for our attention. With just a few clicks of your remote, you can flick between the latest Bollywood blockbuster, a stern sermonising maulvi, fiery political pundits railing against the government, and all manner of foreign content.
There’s a mass of programming out there and every channel executive is eager for your viewing loyalty – more viewers mean more revenue generated from advertisers. For the most part, advertising is the primary source of income for channels and thus they are exploring ever more sensational ways to secure that money along with their survival in an increasingly ruthless market.
The last decade in the UK and the US has seen an explosion of so-called ‘reality’ TV. There’s much debate about what that actually means, but the genre includes shows like Big Brother, The X Factor, Pop Idol and Britain’s Got Talent. These are certainly the most famous and highest-rated shows of the past few years. All of them involve taking ordinary people from all walks of life and thrusting them into the media glare. Some of them succeed through raw talent and true grit and go on to have hugely successful careers.
Susan Boyle, an unassuming 40-something from Scotland, for example, hit the big time in quite an extraordinary fashion earlier this year. Not blessed with perhaps what we might consider a conventional superstar appearance, she nonetheless possesses a fine voice and her overall demeanour appealed heavily to the British public’s love for the underdog. Her first audition for Britain’s Got Talent became a massive YouTube hit and when Demi Moore started mentioning her on Twitter, she became a household name in both the UK and the US. All within just two weeks!
But ordinary members of the public who have no experience of the dog-eat-dog world of the media are little prepared for what can hit them. Near the end of the series, Boyle suffered a breakdown and was admitted to The Priory (the celeb rehab clinic of choice). Another contestant, a young adolescent girl, broke down in tears on stage during the live semi-final. Questions were asked in the media whether enough was being done to look after the well-being, both physically and mentally, of the contestants.
The producers of reality shows in the UK have now declared that they will have a team of psychologists on hand to keep an eye on future contestants and look for early signs of distress. But let’s be honest – though no one would ever admit it, the producers of Britain’s Got Talent must have secretly been counting their lucky stars: Boyle’s breakdown, after all, added to the ‘narrative arc’ of the show. The ratings during the last week of the series went through the roof as the public who had been following the dramatic story in the press tuned in.
The old adage that all publicity is good publicity rings true in the TV world. Everything that happens during a reality TV series can be construed and edited to become part of a wider narrative. It’s this narrative that is presented to viewers and it’s what hooks them in and keeps them coming back night after night.
The UK TV industry is generally well regulated. There are numerous organisations that monitor what is broadcast and issue guidelines about what can and cannot be shown. These guidelines are sometimes ignored and fines are occasionally slapped on channels that regularly flout them. There is also a healthy culture of self-regulation in the industry: there are no direct instructions from external bodies that demand that there be psychologists or health and safety instructors on set at all times. Many producers hire such experts simply to make sure that both staff and contributors remain well looked after. A better show is usually the result.
Which brings us to the case of Saad Khan. It seems he died during a swimming stunt. Any challenge performed in water must adhere to some basic safety measures: there must be qualified life-guards present, contestants should receive life jackets and everyone participating must be able to swim. As with any stunt, proper risk assessment should be carried out and signed off by senior execs (a requirement before any filming can even start in the UK). And there’s one thing the producers should never forget: judicious and clever editing in the cutting room ensures that the viewer believes in the dare-devil escapades – the actual challenge in which the contestants take part should, in reality, be as safe as a walk in the park.
The fact that Khan died while competing in the reality show has to raise suspicions about the safety measures in place. Accidents do happen and sometimes events occur that even the most careful producer could not have foreseen. But there must be a full and proper investigation into Khan’s untimely demise, by the Thai authorities as well as the television and marketing company involved and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.
Here’s the reality of TV: Indian producers started copying successful western formats a few years ago and it won’t be long before Pakistani versions of reality shows are broadcast in ever greater numbers. My impression from watching Indian shows such as ‘Dance Idol’ is that the contestants appearing on them are much more naive and vulnerable than their European and American counterparts. For that reason, there have to be measures in place to ensure that the public is not exploited.
My experience has taught me that many contributors are very willing to do whatever is asked of them by TV producers. Many have an insatiable and unrealistic thirst for celebrity that makes them particularly pliant. It’s only after their dreams are shattered that regret, anger and frustration seep in. They shouldn’t be treated like children – unless, of course, they are children – but TV execs must bear serious responsibility for the welfare of the people who appear on their shows and are often unclear about what they might be getting themselves into. It is essential that Pakistani producers learn from Khan’s death.
Max Robinson is a TV development researcher at Endemol in the United Kingdom. He has previously worked for the BBC and makes passable biryani for a gora.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
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September 7th, 2009 at 8:54
I just don’t understand why there is so much fuss about it. He should have known the risks before jumping into reality shows bandwagon. Having said that I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings here , what happen in sad and a human life is lost.
The bottom line is , things can went wrong fatally , and in this case unfortunately they did.The sponsor and media is just doing there business , there issues are different that masses.
September 2nd, 2009 at 14:02
The media has been silent on this but A word about the recent DAWN story aswell. It seemed like more a defense of the company involved than reporting the incident. The cautious and measured way it was written it seemed to be playing the incident down. Three weeks later a story appears but that too seems to be to respond to the whispering campaign and carries the point of view of the powerful and not the peopel who suffered or one is being too cynical?
September 2nd, 2009 at 13:51
Its very sad what happened to Saad Khan. But having close experience of Pakistani television productions I know for a fact that even the most TV Celebs and most crews in television work in hazardous and very basic conditions and accidents are waiting to happen. Artists and Workers Unions are not organised and things are not regulated and channels and Big Multi national companies call the shots and from being paid on time to sa\fety considerations have no set standards and vary depending on the Producers. It is about time that artists and technicians in production come up with some sort of guidelines and Governmaent also intervenes to protect the rights of the people in this industry who are at the mercy (in general) of the powerful and the influencial.
September 2nd, 2009 at 13:37
I agree with writer according to my opinion sponsors and organizers are to be blammed for this terrible accident and they should pay for this and takes the whole responsibility of this incident other wise there license should cancelled
September 2nd, 2009 at 13:28
The writer has done justice to this issue.Saad was a true human being, his death is a great loss to his friends and family. The silence behavior of media screams that they do not really show the real picture of a story. Why isn’t unilever compenstaing handsomely to Saad family. i just want to ask this goverment as what is the future of four small children. Why are they being punished for negligence of a MNC who simply do not care for people’s life and their dependants. I am ashamed to think that such a big company is not ready to give a compesation for Saad’s family who’s loss cannot be replaced. But still the children should have a future.
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:41
Hi,
Great article Max! However your point about making stunts safe and showing them as dangerous is a bit unclear. I’m pretty sure if this was done in the case of fear factor etc then people wouldn’t watch.
To comment on reality shows some years back a person on Oprah I think commented that US talk shows were reaching saturation of what else they could do and only two options remained – kill someone or have sex.
Well then the reality genre came along, personally never liked Survivor type shows and our local shows like Living on the edge and date with fate sent out the wrong signals.
About media slience-media was silent about attacks on minorities before Gojra and I don’t think anyone restrained them or paid them to do so.
Personally I found the much lauded media coverage of the 2005 earthquake as irresponsible and immature. India’s networks are on better as the Mumbai attacks proved.
In media maturity we have a lot to learn from the West.
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:06
The fun part is the tragic incident came on the Pakistani Media Scene when the dead body reached Pakistan. People had come to know about it on Facebook and other Online communities two days before ITS media coverage!!
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:17
very good narration of the incident by the author..it’s a shame that we are always on top in copying such tv shows to attract viewership but do nothing for the safety measures, and also when incidents like these happen, the news gets shut by simply calling it an ACCIDENT!!
I appreciate dawn for bringing up the issue, could you please be more daring to show it on your news TV CHANNEL DAWN?
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:05
Saad’s untimely demise is a shock for all those you knew him- he was a great guy. He has left behind 4 children…..accidents happen, agreed but shows like these need to be regulated. Why was a life guard not present in the lake/pond? why did it take them 15-20 minutes to find his body? All these questions need to be answered.
As for Unilever- absolutely disgusting the way they have handled the entire situation. They cannot be allowed to simply walk away from the situation by saying that an Indian company had taken care of the arrangements. The least Unilever can do is set up a fund which will take care of Saad’s children’s education. A decent school costs around 10,000 a month, for 4 children it will only cost Rs 480,000 a year which is nothing for a company the size of Unilever. This message is for the management of Unilever- act like a responsible corporate entity, help his family in whatever way possible.
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:49
I agree with writer on the part taht there should be a strict regulation for media. Especially reality shows where contestants are posed to serious threats and risks. After all somebody should take responsibility for cases like Saad’s death.
September 1st, 2009 at 22:21
I think the sponsors and organizers are to be blammed for this terrible accident , all these MNCs talk big about safety , secutiry & compliance but seems it is only for there own staff , I can’t beleive how can a company like Unilever be so ignorant about the safety aspects of this program . Poor Saad lost his life and I am sure now all these organizers and sponsors will shift the responsiblity of this accident. People who were involved in organizing this program should be punished .
September 1st, 2009 at 14:10
Principally, the issue should have been raised by our media men but perhaps they r busy in useless rhetoric of political dichotomies of Pakistan. However, we should be thankful to Mr. Max Robinson for highlighting such anomaly resulting in to departure of a Son, Brother, Father and a Husband. Too sad.
i think media should play its role of self evaluation and PEMRA should see to it that it does. there should be some body or person required to vet the events in such reality shows like in UK as stated by the author. And event having fair amount of chance of getting someone in such like situation should not be allowed to proceed. in this case the depth of water could have been around 5 feet to avoid incidents like this.
someone should be made responsible for such anomalies.
September 1st, 2009 at 14:04
This reality TV show has shown reality of bias Pakistani media interests.
September 1st, 2009 at 14:03
It all sounds like a bad dream. A precious life has been lost and there is not a simple complaint lodged by any party. If a man has died does he have relatives who should be complaining? How much money can keep their mouth closed ? Where did that happen and Do they have any law in their country? If the dead body was brought to Pakistan it must have been accompanied by the Post mortem report. Did our law enforcement Authorities check the report? Now that it appears to be all over on the net and even in one of the English Newspaper, what is being done about it by the law enforcer? May be the Suo moto action by any Judge? Where is HUman Rights activists?
September 1st, 2009 at 14:00
After this miserable incident nation have been known original face of Pakistani media.
September 1st, 2009 at 13:53
The MNC here is Unilever. The advertising moguls cannot afford to antagonize such a big player and thus the muted response. Unilevers comments themselves leave much to be desired. This is a third world country so they can get away with this. Absolutly sickening.
September 1st, 2009 at 12:43
Pakistani media is still more or less state controlled and ages behind the Indian or Japanese media. Saad’s death has not been mentioned even in the brief news section. I expected only DAWN to report it and they did.
I find it disturbing that news channels haven’t reported what is wrong. This kind of thing would be the talking point in most news channels if it happened in India.
September 1st, 2009 at 11:11
why is all mainstream media tight lipped on the death of Saad khan??
this is the darker side of the media particularly in our side of the world, where a powerful thing like media can be controlled by MNC’s. The media is hush because they get chunk of their revenue from advertising by MNC giants.
Can any one tell which company had organized this reality show? I heard it was unilever.
September 1st, 2009 at 10:48
Agreed . Very nicely written by the author.
The questtions raised still remain un-answered by the concerned entities.
Please join the Facebook Group, Say NO to reality shows, For MUHAMMAD SAAD KHAN
Basic Info
Name: Say NO to Reality Shows
Type: Common Interest – Beliefs & Causes
Description: Reality shows around the media world have become very popular. In a quest to make thrilling, adventurous and exciting programs the producers, sponsors, directors, media managers, risk the life of un-trained & un-skilled participants.
This is a pure act of playing with a precious human life. This facebook page marks a start of a campaign against all such entities who organize and sponsor such events for cheap publicity & monetary kick backs.
http://www.facebook.com/share.php?appid=2530096808&src=box&tid=125880517398&u=http%3A%2F%2Fteeth.com.pk%2Fblog%2F2009%2F08%2F28%2Fsaad-khan-unilever-mindshare-accident#/group.php?gid=125880517398
September 1st, 2009 at 10:11
It is surprising that in this age of pervasive TV News reporting, this story did not make it to the print / electronic media for weeks. I think it has been over 3 weeks since this tragedy occurred, but it was only yesterday or day before that Dawn carried this news. Media is after all not free (from the big MNC budgets).
September 1st, 2009 at 8:08
Good piece, sums it up well. I really do worry about ‘reality TV’ here in Pakistan. It’s coming, and it’s not going to be nice. Not nice at all. There is little incentive to self-regulate and the production companies know that they can get away with – perhaps almost literally – murder; safe in the knowledge that they are unlikely to be brought to book.
September 1st, 2009 at 8:05
Actually its happens and happen again. If our advertising companies will follow or depends on those people who ask something preior to finalize things regarless of what will be the quality. The concern first what they will get. So what i thing it happend due to those elements who took there cuts and just close there eyes ( they must be in that multinational company or that advertising agency) I have seen so many big shows in our country preior to there executions how these elements unites together for there cuts. In any case we have to be united in one issue if we wants to save our media we have to find out those elements and deal with them
September 1st, 2009 at 7:43
It all comes back to law and order – and the ability to sue for negligence according to the law. What recourse does one have when one has been injured or harmed due to another’s wrong doing or negligence? A civil and criminal case should be filed on behalf of the victim. Clearly, is the society capable of doing so, or supporting such an initiative? And are we sure that the victim himself was not careless or negligent?
September 1st, 2009 at 2:32
really nice article and good compilation!
but the only thing that come into my mind is that why Pakistani media didn’t reported this incident in a way as is used to report other issues and don’t misses a second to air it.
Secondly where is HRCP? why are they silent?
September 1st, 2009 at 1:34
that all said about reality shows but how does one get Unilever to take responsibilty and pay up. Comments by their information officer ‘Unilever Pakistan accepts no liability for Khan’s death, but added that the company is in discussions to provide for Khan’s wife and four children ‘out of rightness.’comments like these leave a bitter taste in the mouth. Unilever must be held responsible, they must take responsibilty and provide for Saad Khan’s wife and 4 children. The media must follow up on this and keep the readers updated.
August 31st, 2009 at 22:13
I agree to the contents of the article that reality TV producers must take responsiblity for the shows they make. However we must accept that media in Indian Sub Content will try to copy and broadcast western reality shows. The simple reason for copying is that it is easy rather producing something which is novel and orignal. Too many TV chanels and too little ideas.
However the most important point which is missing in the artcile and it needs to be highlighted, that media in the Indian Sub Content must follow western rules of compensation. In the UK it is legal requirement for every company, even it is a charitable orgnaisation, to have insurance cover for employers liability £10 million and public liability £2 million to compensate the victims of employer’s neglegence.
Can any one from Pakistan Meida come forward and tell Dawn readers how much compensation amount has been paid to Mr Saad Khan family. Such incidents are likely to happen again, why not media in Indian Sub Content follow western compensation principles along with such stunts which took one life.
August 31st, 2009 at 21:18
I entirely agree with the observations made by Max Robinson. We, in this part of the globe have the habit of borrowing anything from the foreign soils sans their good points. There they ask for duty with responsibility and here we are concerned with duty only without ever bothering for the responsibility. It is high time that Reality Shows on Indian and Pakistani TVs take a fresh look regarding security of the artists as well as the crew involved. environs and ensure that no innocent life is lost in future.
August 31st, 2009 at 17:15
No doubt, it’s a very tragic incidence.
But, I have started losing my faith on our so called free media. Despite the fact this incidence took place few days back but still our main stream channels didn’t find any sensation in this news and not covering this news effectively.
I am surprised how come an MNC could direct these channels not to air this news (though it’s a rumor).
August 31st, 2009 at 15:58
Great article
August 31st, 2009 at 15:32
I completely agree with the author’s view. Qualified lifeguards ready to jump in case of trouble, is not too much to ask when you are doing water stunts for a reality show. It is basic risk management and i feel that the death of Saad Khan is merely an ignorance of the reality show producer. Both the show sponsor and producer are accountable for this tragedy and they should be brought to task to prevent the probability of such re-occurences.
August 31st, 2009 at 15:22
well its great to have some non pakistanis points of view on pakistani television. we must be careful, ive studied them and we have to be careful that they dont try to get the other to become as mentors..to us..
blame his death on globalization or trajic event
agian how peaceful or sane is allowing a man to put on weights on his body and swim in a lake? well its funny a westerner is poaching at regulations, when it is democracy itself which allows these reguations to be sacrifced, especially when democracy runs out of ideas to make sanity in countries like former colonies of the u. kingdom.
anything for money in pakistan.. thats the story line
August 31st, 2009 at 14:56
Absolutely correct, there should be a full on investigation since many reports claim there were no life guards present. The companies involved should provide for Saad khans family and apologize if negligence has happened.
I commend Dawn and you for taking up this matter when many other mainstream channels of info are silent!
August 31st, 2009 at 14:45
Saad Khan’s death is still all hush, hush. When a politician makes a mistake, the media is upon him or her like a vulture. But when this sort of a thing happens and a big, fat multinational is involved, the same media simply keeps mum. And we all know why.