No government happy with independent reporting: Nadeem Malik

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 25 November 2021

Nadeem Malik criticized the Pakistani government's discomfort with independent journalism. He referred to the pressures faced by media personnel, specifically during critical political events.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Television presenter and analyst Nadeem Malik says he has not witnessed a government in Pakistan that is comfortable or happy with independent reporting by the media. Talking with BBC Urdu, he said that an independent journalist is not acceptable to any government.

"For the current government or the last Nawaz government, an independent journalist is unacceptable."

When asked about the admission of PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz that she ordered stoppage of ads to four TV channels, including Saama, he thought the video seemed to be from the last days of 2014 or early 2015. "We were under a lot of pressure because of our coverage of the PTI sit-in. Police beat up our staff. Then the prime minister called our owner and complained about me."

The audio leak of Maryam Nawaz in which she issues directions for not releasing ads to Saama, ARY, 24 News and 92 News, Nadeem Malik's name is mentioned.

KEY POINTS:

• Nadeem Malik discusses government discomfort with independent journalism.
• He mentions past pressures experienced during PTI sit-ins.
• Maryam Nawaz admitted to stopping ads for specific TV channels.
• Malik's experiences highlight challenges faced by journalists in Pakistan.
• The issue reflects ongoing tensions between media and government.