Hong Kong conviction of Jimmy Lai draws global criticism UNESCO report shows global decline in press freedom and safety HRW warns Middle East conflict strikes heighten risks for journalists Appeals grow for Vietnam journalist Pham Doan Trang's release Bangladesh police detain senior journalist after critical reports Hong Kong court convicts Jimmy Lai of sedition and collusion Pakistan’s ad ban on Dawn sparks media freedom concerns Belarus journalist Maryna Zolatava freed after four years Tunisia protests revive press freedom concerns PFUJ raises alarm over pressure on Dawn Media Group Hong Kong conviction of Jimmy Lai draws global criticism UNESCO report shows global decline in press freedom and safety HRW warns Middle East conflict strikes heighten risks for journalists Appeals grow for Vietnam journalist Pham Doan Trang's release Bangladesh police detain senior journalist after critical reports Hong Kong court convicts Jimmy Lai of sedition and collusion Pakistan’s ad ban on Dawn sparks media freedom concerns Belarus journalist Maryna Zolatava freed after four years Tunisia protests revive press freedom concerns PFUJ raises alarm over pressure on Dawn Media Group
Logo
Janu
Digital Connections

Shaheen Sehbai questions Nasim Zehra's announcement about Ishaq Dar interview

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 7 years ago

Join our WhatsApp channel

Shaheen Sehbai questions Nasim Zehra's announcement about Ishaq Dar interview

ISLAMABAD - Shaheen Sehbai (pictured), a former group editor of The News, has questioned Nasim Zehra’s announcement about airing an interview of ex-Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

He asked, “should glorifying criminals be considered good journalism?”

In her tweet, Nasim Zehra announced the interview of Ishaq Dar will be his first “on-camera intv @24NewsHD since leaving Pak, shares specific details of why he believes he was framed, who sympathised with him bcos he was wronged, why SC must undo the alleged wrong committed against Dar; why Pak govt cant extradite him.”

Sehbai did not like the announcement. “CAN ANYONE RESPOND PL: How can media present an Absconder from Pak Justice, wanted in many cases, on TV screen when in similar cases like Altaf Hussain of MQM not a word is allowed to be said. Should Glorifying the criminals be considered good journalism? A REVERSE SCOOP OR WHAT !”

A number of Twitter users also questioned the logic of interviewing an absconder. In December 2017 an accountability court declared Ishaq Dar an absconder in a corruption reference after the former finance minister repeatedly failed to join the trial.

Photo: Twitter (@SSEHBAI1)

Dive Deeper

Media bodies condemn ad ban on Dawn TV and radio

Media bodies condemn ad ban on Dawn TV and radio

 December 13, 2025: Pakistani media bodies have condemned the government’s unannounced ban on advertisements to Dawn Media Group’s TV and radio outlets, calling it an attack on press freedom.

Newsroom
Hong Kong conviction of Jimmy Lai draws global criticism

Hong Kong conviction of Jimmy Lai draws global criticism

 December 15, 2025 Hong Kong’s conviction of Jimmy Lai under the national security law sparks global condemnation from governments and rights groups, intensifying debate over press freedom and judicial independence.


UNESCO report shows global decline in press freedom and safety

UNESCO report shows global decline in press freedom and safety

 December 15, 2025 UNESCO report shows global press freedom and journalist safety declining as self-censorship rises and media economics falter, posing growing risks to independent journalism.


HRW warns Middle East conflict strikes heighten risks for journalists

HRW warns Middle East conflict strikes heighten risks for journalists

 December 15, 2025 Human Rights Watch updates warn that attacks on civilian infrastructure in Lebanon and frontline areas are increasing risks for journalists, complicating access, verification, and newsroom safety planning.


 Iran signals media and tourism push to reshape global image

Iran signals media and tourism push to reshape global image

 December 15, 2025 Iran’s government says it will align its media and tourism messaging to rebuild its global image after regional conflicts, signaling an expanded state-led narrative and new challenges for journalists.


Appeals grow for Vietnam journalist Pham Doan Trang's release

Appeals grow for Vietnam journalist Pham Doan Trang's release

 December 15, 2025 International rights groups mark the anniversary of Pham Doan Trang’s sentence, renewing calls for her release and highlighting ongoing risks to press freedom and independent reporting in Vietnam.


Popular Stories