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Local radio show's content was "disrespectful" to women, say outraged listeners

Local radio show's content was "disrespectful" to women, say outraged listeners

On FM91's show 'Analyze It,' host Dr. Faisal Mamsa professed sexist views and promoted victim blaming, say listeners
Updated 31 Mar, 2017

Last night local radio listeners were perturbed and took to social media to protest the content in radio show Analyze It.

On FM91's radio show Analyze It, host and local psychiatrist Faisal Mamsa discussed "girls from middle-class families" and "what they are doing on Facebook."

According to listeners, Mamsa criticised women for dressing in western clothes and claimed that, by becoming westernised, the blame for harassment falls on them.

Listeners allege he went on to name women who have allegedly flirted with him, further saying that they were 'characterless.'

A listener, Sumaiya, took to social media to express her shock. She called out the radio channel for allowing such content to be on air, wondering why he was even hired. She quoted the psychiatrist as having said: "Middle class girls are getting westernised and it's their own fault if they get raped!"

Images spoke to Dr Mamsa with reference to last night's show, and he said: "Everything has been misquoted. Everything I spoke of [on my show], I have evidence for that. That's why I had to censor a majority of the show, because I could not share that evidence."

Listeners - both men and women - took to social media to express their anger.

A student, Zoha, came across the radio show and described her experience listening to it. She said, "I was on my way back from college switching through radio channels when I heard this RJ talk about women's issues. Initially I thought he'd have something important to say but two minutes into the show I realised that he is yet another sexist person who judges a woman's character by her clothes. As a woman I have never felt so enraged, especially since these views came from a seemingly educated man."

Another listener, Saad, called the psychiatrist out on his talk, saying, "One of the most nonsensical things the guy said was that he believed that women who flirted with men were characterless and were to be blamed for whatever happens to them, including having their pictures taken and made viral on the internet. He actually named some women who flirted with him! Apparently it was later censored. But come on, this is still a non-professional and sexist thing to have done at all!"

Saad adds, "He represents the exact type of person that becomes a hindrance for feminist movements and the type of person who supports the systematic oppression of women by blaming everything on them... I felt really angry when I heard of this. I felt the need to tell as many people as possible."

Dr Mamsa, however, says that he did not name any women during his show.

"Maybe he did not understand the concept of the show and got emotional about the show... I have not used names of girls who have flirted with me, that is a lie too."

Abbas, another very upset listener, took to Twitter to express himself.

Said Abbas, "Men like him bring shame to all of us men who aren't bigots and belittle women for our wrongs."

When contacted, producers at FM91 said they were unavailable for comment.

Further speaking to Images, Dr Mamsa said: "Unless and until someone listens to the whole show, they won't know... my comments have been taken out of context.... when you show people the reality of life, with proof, then they start to complain. I have nothing against women. I have always talked about empowering women. If I'm the sort who talks about empowering women, why would I say something cheap like that?"

He added, "Analyze It is a very well researched show. What ever I present has back up evidences. The objective of the show is to highlight what is going on at the psycho-social level. I also provide the solution to things that I think has psychological issue attached to it. The same was done on this show."

According to his FM91 website profile, Dr. Mamsa "discusses different problems, explores social issues and gives counseling to his listeners on air" on the show Analyze It.

However, it should be noted that Pakistani media is no stranger to sexism, there have been instances of politicians calling their female counterparts 'tractor trolley' and 'penguins' in the National Assembly. These few instances just go to show how women are constantly undermined in the public sphere.

Comments

Alexey Mar 30, 2017 04:59pm
There we go again...
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umair Mar 30, 2017 05:31pm
If a women is flirting with a man why is only she termed as characterless? Why not the man?
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A. A. Mar 30, 2017 05:55pm
Making a mountain out of a mole... move on, there are many other things to worry and debate about than what a never-heard-before RJ said on a radio station
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LIFE Mar 30, 2017 06:27pm
Being an RJ is no joke. They must be careful and compassionate while gathering facts and airing views. In any way this is our society's trait to blame women for everything bad in society.
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zareen Mar 30, 2017 07:13pm
Hmm....... , in any male -female interaction each bears his and her own responsibility in conveying a certain impression .The woman is responsible for how she dresses and how she talks and behaves and the man is responsible for how he thinks , how he talks and how he behaves. As for women being judged , its true the same standards don't apply. Men are allowed to get away with much much more. But that kind of discrimination is not the kind worth fighting for. Since women( generally speaking) have higher standards, they should uphold them without compromising on their own dignity and demand that men (as a whole) raise their game.
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divergence Mar 30, 2017 07:43pm
yet another proof how a large part of Pakistani media will stoop to lowest of levels to get ratings and in this process, they don't give any importance to "qualification" or standard
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ZANE Mar 30, 2017 08:39pm
What a SEXIST he is.
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Chaudhary Aly Mar 30, 2017 08:48pm
Ladies & Gentlemen: I present to you the typical [misogynist] male of our society. These anchors and broadcasters prosecute women just because of their baser fault to trust their counter-gender. Instead of pointing fingers you should have been raising awareness through platform you are bestowed upon. Thank you DAWN for raising the voice on this issue. I will look forward to follow ups on this suit.
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Vinod narang Mar 30, 2017 08:53pm
What good is the education if you mentality is still like an uneducated . . Best thing for Pakistani listeners is stop listing to him , protest with the radio station by writing letters or emails.
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Waheed Mar 30, 2017 10:16pm
We never stopped the "first wrong" so now we can't stop whatever is happening and it will continue to happen. Every time we will see a new level this society has come down to and will continue to decline morally, ethically and socially
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Ali Mar 30, 2017 10:57pm
Where are all these women who flirt with guys? I have yet to come across such women. Women should be respected no matter what. Doesn't mean she has no character if she is flirting with guys maybe she is bold enough to express her self.
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Arif ali Mar 30, 2017 11:46pm
If I leave the front door of my house wide open with the valuables in full view and a thief steals, does it in any way justify thief's actions? Absolutely not. Legally the crime committed is as grave as where the thief broke the lock and disarm the alarms to get in. But making the valuables easily accessible will invite more people to steal. A vast majority of otherwise normal people will steal especially if they have no fear of consequences. If someone advises me to take all the precautions I can, does it imply they are blaming me for the theft that may occur? Most men will take advantage of a woman if they are given an opportunity. They are 100% at fault. But it is not at all wise to put oneself in such a situation in the first place.
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IMRANsHAH Mar 31, 2017 01:50am
Totally Agree with Dr Faisal Mamsa
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NIMESH Mar 31, 2017 02:03am
Its takes 2 to tango. Can't believe those women flirted with him without some encouragement from him. What he's really saying is women should censure themselves and they bear the sole onus of morality. Not a fair expectation.
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NONAME Mar 31, 2017 03:13am
I am not totally agreed with this RJ. Girls are,somehow, responsible for the pictures and stuff posted on internet. Why they give too much freedom to their boys of having their glamorous pictures. There must be some limits. No matter how much girls trust their boys, they should not share any picture , as very simple picture can be manipulated as an adult one.
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Waqar Mar 31, 2017 04:50am
@zareen absolutely spot on!
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Abused Mar 31, 2017 07:35am
And this DOCTOR is going around treating patients. I shudder to think how he treats his female patients
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think Mar 31, 2017 10:14am
The worst part is that the guy is considered one of Karachi's foremost psychiatrists. If such a professional can't distinguish such a basic issue, he should hand over his license to practice and go take a basic course on women's rights
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XY Mar 31, 2017 10:19am
@zareen nonsense. Why should society make an opinion about my character or intelligence or capability just because I wear a skirt or jeans. And the discrimination you mentioned is definitely worth fighting for. Because that kind of discrimination is what lets certain men think that assaulting a woman is ok just because she is wearing shorts or skirts. That discrimination makes excuses for Eve teasing, sexual harassment and blames the victim. I don't want a society where my daughter feels pressurized to don a burka or not play sports.
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XY Mar 31, 2017 10:25am
@NIMESH flirting is ok when it is not harassment. Flirting is a skill where you express appreciation for a person without being overbearing and without making it uncomfortable for the other. That kind of flirting is ok for both men or women because you are not barging into the others space and causing discomfort. Unfortunately many Asians do not understand flirting and make it seem worse than what it is. And why do we always make role model of a woman who cannot express her own sexuality.
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Puma Mar 31, 2017 03:18pm
@XY Absolute nonsense. Who defines what is barging in ... this is the kind of attitude that gives men the feeling that they can play it "Cool" .... and yes, you would know when a woman can't define her sexuality ?
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SAB Mar 31, 2017 05:02pm
Is this an effort to let us know that there is a radio station FM 91 and then there is this host...what's his name
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A Manan Mar 31, 2017 05:54pm
Your parents teachers you not to accept sweets from a stranger, but why do you forget that lesson when you grow older, trusting random strangers on social media? This lesson is for both men and women.
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azmat shah Mar 31, 2017 09:00pm
@umair I have seen a lot of men being called characterless for flirting with women. Which world do you live in mate?
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Bupi Apr 01, 2017 09:47am
Sorry to say that such Male's are cancer of society one eyes can't see any thing else.
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Bupi Apr 01, 2017 09:59am
In India also people like Mr Mulaym ji speak same language. Feel ashamed on ones vision
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Shahid Apr 01, 2017 11:34am
If this is not a publicity stunt, he should be removed from the job, if sensible people are heading this radio channel.
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