JournalismPakistan.com | Published June 27, 2012
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: Despite the huge setback Dunya TV recently suffered courtesy the controversial leaked interview episode featuring anchors Meher Bukhari, Mubashar Lucqman and property tycoon Malik Riaz, the channel has apparently made a strong comeback.
On June 23, Dunya released a rating chart showing it had beaten Geo into second place while reporting the slot wise performance of coverage (1600-1730pm) on Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s disqualification earlier that week.
Samaa TV is shown to have come third and DawnNews fourth in the ratings.
Last month Dunya had claimed to have overtaken Geo as Pakistan’s favorite news channel, but that was before the leaked video scandal broke. At the time Geo vehemently denied Dunya’s claim, producing another ratings chart showing Geo was still on top.
It is openly and commonly perceived that the ‘leaked video’ scandal could be the direct result of the ratings war between the two channels and was deliberately engineered by Geo. However, there is nothing substantial to support this theory.
Dunya owner and CEO, Mian Amir Mehmood, in a note to the channel’s employees, had congratulated them for their performance and urged them to continue their good work. However, he has been mum on the ‘leaked video scandal’
Both Geo and Dunya have been carrying out a rather distasteful and unbecoming proxy war of words through their so-called senior anchors. These anchors have been pointing out the lack of credibility and misdeeds of their rivals, stressing on media ethics and what is right and what is not, while conveniently ignoring their own actions.
Geo has been top of the ratings charts since 2004/2005 and has rarely been challenged.
“Dunya is lying,” said one Geo producer in Karachi, “They are nowhere near us. The ratings charts they keep on producing are fabrications of their own making. Everybody knows who is No.1.”
On the other hand, a Dunya reporter insisted, “Geo has lost its credibility. The ‘List of 19” featured more corrupt journalists from Geo than any other channel; so, if Hamid Mir says negative things about Dunya, who do you think is going to believe him?”
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.