Hamid's absence prompts rumors

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 19 July 2012

Hamid Mir did not host Geo TV’s Capital Talk for a week, prompting speculation about differences with the channel or a possible move. He later said he was busy drafting a Supreme Court petition on a media accountability commission.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: When a popular talk show host suddenly goes off screen it only gives rise to rumors and so it is with Hamid Mir of Geo TV’s Capital Talk program. The program, routinely shown on the first four days of the week, has not been hosted by him this week, an indication that all may not be well. JournalismPakistan.com had earlier inadvertently reported the program had not been aired at all this week. However, in Hamid’s absence it was anchored by Masood Raza. We at JournalismPakistan.com regret any inconvenience this reporting flaw may have caused. Insiders at Geo say Hamid has some differences with his employers while some others think he might be pondering a move. Absar Alam, who hosts the program Aaj Ki Khabar on Aaj TV, and Hamid were reported to have filed a petition in the Supreme Court calling for constituting a media accountability commission. “I was busy getting the petition drafted and each time we thought it had been finalized, some new issues cropped up,” he told Kashif Abbasi in the program Off the Record on being asked why he was not hosting his program. “At times you also go (off the screen) for some reasons so just think I am also off screen for similar reasons.”

KEY POINTS:

• Hamid Mir was absent from hosting Capital Talk during the week.
• Masood Raza anchored the show in his absence.
• Insiders cited possible differences with Geo management; others speculated about a move.
• Hamid Mir said he was occupied with drafting a Supreme Court petition on media accountability.