Democracy is not a free gift of nature. For its survival, it requires contribution from its citizens. Good citizens are made not born. To make our children good citizens, all institutions including family, schools, peer groups, the mass media and the law must play their due role. The widespread lawlessness reflects that all institutions have failed to shape the individual’s civic sense of duty. It is through the process of political socialization that citizens develop values, attitudes, beliefs and opinions that enable them to relate to the political system. 

Our mass media has failed to evolve rules of behaviour. The debates on TV channels are shallow and politically biased. At least they use a stop watch to make them even handed. Like monkeys, participants try to overawe one another by harangues. Mass media failed to highlight parliament’s failure to ensure security and welfare, particularly a national healthcare and education system. 

DEEBA MALICK,  

Rawalpindi, January 15.