There are no limits to what extent governments use the media as tools of information dissemination to reach out to the masses. Government advertising is seen usually as nothing more than propaganda and public service information. But nothing beats the way the Pakistan Government is using advertising according to news reports.
According to a report, "Pakistan's Nuclear Regulatory Authority on Thursday played down a series of advertisements it placed in national media asking citizens to inform authorities of any 'lost and missing' nuclear material."
It seems that the organisation published quarter-page ads over the last week in the Urdu-language newspapers warning people that radioactive material that may have gone missing from medical or industrial research facilities could be harmful.
Does that mean something went missing? "The adverts are nothing to worry about as we are only trying to fully account for every bit of radioactive material," spokeswoman Sherin Akhtar said. Hmm, nothing to worry about radioactivity! What a relief! But, the next statement takes the cake!
"The authority was responsible for keeping a record of radioactive material used in various sectors, also including agricultural research, and it was possible that some may have been 'misplaced' over the years, she said. The campaign was not linked to any specific missing or stolen radioactive material, she said." (Pak places ads for lost nuclear material- TOI)
So does it imply that there are radioactive material lying around for the public to find! Makes you think doesn't it? Perhaps the ads should have offered a financial reward to motivate people to inform the authorities rather printing a health advisory stating radioactivity is dangerous to health.
Now why didn't the UN and Allied weapon's inspectors think of putting out Ads? Might help them in their elusive quest for WMD's especially in Iraq, where they are still struggling to account for it even after years of searching!
Related Articles:
Pak places ads for lost nuclear material - Times of India
Pakistani authority places ads for misplaced nuclear material - Hindustan Times
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