JournalismPakistan.com | Published 10 years ago
Join our WhatsApp channel
KARACHI: An international auditor has concluded that "there was undeniable evidence of a significant increase in viewership" of Express News Television that allegedly manipulated ratings.
"All household members began watching exact same minutes per week to the Express channels. This cannot happen without clear instructions on how the household should be watching the Express channels," Dawn quoted third-party international auditor Robert Ruud of Robert Ruud Analysetjenester as saying.
"The auditor cannot find a logical explanation for this viewing pattern except outside influence of the households."
The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) that met Saturday has granted Sultan Lakhani, Chief Executive Officer of Express Media Group 10 days to submit his reply on the alleged manipulation of viewership ratings.
PBA, taking notice of Lakhani's absence from their meeting, also extended for ten days the temporary suspension of Express Group's membership from its panel.
On September 8, Salman Danish, Chief Executive Officer Medialogic Pakistan (a television ratings company) had alleged at a press conference the Express Media Group was involved in malpractices to increase its television ratings.
On the other hand The Express Group said that Medialogic Pakistan demanded Rs450 million from the Express News Television's management and claimed it had evidences against the media group.
The paper said that Danish, chose his company’s employee Shaista and asked her to testify that Express News had pressured households to tune into the channel — an attempt that resulted in an increase in its overall ratings.
When Shaista refused to become a part of the malicious campaign, Danish, in collusion with police lodged a fake FIR against her, according to the paper.
Earlier, on September 9, the PBA suspended Express Group's membership temporarily.
November 07, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com launches a Middle East section to expand regional reporting. New coverage will follow JPâs editorial SOPsâverification, balanced sourcing, and two-stage reviewâplaced between Asia and World on the Home Page.
November 07, 2025: Russia accuses Pakistanâs Frontier Post of anti-Russia bias; the paper defends press freedom and independence. A diplomatic clash over media narratives.
November 07, 2025: Veteran journalist Javed Chaudhry bids farewell to Express News after 18 years on Kal Tak, marking the end of an era in Pakistani television journalism.
November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tararâs job offer to Nukta staff draws criticism as hundreds of journalists across Pakistan face layoffs, salary delays, and job insecurity.
November 06, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announces jobs for 37 laid-off Nukta employees, saying they will be placed at digital platforms within 48 hours amid growing media uncertainty.
November 05, 2025: PTIâs Faisal Chaudhryâs witty reply to Gharidah Farooqi on GTVâs âG for Gharidahâ goes viral as a clip from their debate over the 27th Amendment sparks reactions online.
November 05, 2025: Digital platform Nukta lays off 37 employees in Pakistan, including journalists and producers, highlighting the financial struggles facing new media ventures in a shrinking job market.
November 04, 2025: Talat Hussain denies airing the viral clip showing Sher Afzal Marwatâs vulgar remark, saying it was not part of his Samaa TV show.
November 07, 2025 UN and rights groups warn of escalating media repression in Myanmar, citing arrests, censorship, and digital surveillance that threaten to erase independent journalism.
November 07, 2025 Iran has intensified online censorship, blocking independent news sites and social channels, sparking protests from journalist groups over the growing suppression of press freedom.
November 07, 2025 Six Turkish journalists have been summoned over coverage of opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, raising fresh concerns about press freedom and political repression in Turkey.
November 07, 2025 Over 285 journalists have been killed in Gaza since 2023, exposing a severe impunity crisis and raising calls for global action to protect press freedom.
November 07, 2025 Arab states are tightening digital content laws, with new regulations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt raising fresh concerns about media freedom and online expression.