JournalismPakistan.com | Published May 23, 2012
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: Matiullah Jan of Dawn News has not had the best of times recently. His popular program Aapna Gareban exposing crooked journalists was shelved and in a way so was Mati.
But never one to stay down for long, Mati’s efforts have not been in vain. He has a hardcore following who believe just like he does, that corrupt journalists have no place in the profession. They should not be tolerated for they are giving the profession a bad name.
At the same time many honest, hard-working journalists have in the past few years been passing through a difficult time as news channels and newspapers continue to downsize and reorganize while others have succumbed to the pressures of the current economiccrunch.
These journalists face a bleak future as most of them were struggling even before being sacked or suddenly finding themselves without a job.
It is to this end that Mati has proposed the establishment of a special fund for emergency relief of such journalists. He suggests a monthly contribution by specificsalary-bracket journalists for the emergency relief of their colleagues who are down and out. Mati has promised to contribute a reasonable amount each month for this fund for as long as he still has a job.
According to him, a five member fund regulatory committee comprising representatives from journalists’ community (one from print and one from electronic media), media owners (one from print and one from electronic media) and a government representative should carry out decisions on a majority basis.
He envisions that all print and television journalists, including editors, reporters, bureau chiefs, senior executives and anchors, who are journalists by definition and also bona-fide members of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), should contribute within the range of Rs1000-5000 per month to this fund depending upon their salary range. All contributions would be made on a monthly basis and names of complying and non-complying contributors would be displayed each month.
Mati suggests the fund should be established for print and electronic journalists who have been rendered jobless and whose salaries were below Rs40000 per month.
Such qualified journalists should also have been contributing to the fund while they were still in employment and finally, a minimum amount of Rs7000 be given to the qualified journalists every month for a period of six months only or until the time they are re-employed on a salary which is more than Rs7000 or whichever is first.
Mati said he was open to more suggestions and advice in this regard, and urged senior journalists, anchors and particularly the PFUJ to consider his proposal seriously.
December 05, 2024: UNESCO and IRADA hosted a national consultation in Islamabad, calling for inclusive Internet governance reforms in Pakistan to protect digital rights, freedom of expression, and access to information through multi-stakeholder collaboration.
December 04, 2024: A viral video claiming journalist Matiullah Jan was expelled from PMA has been debunked by iVerify Pakistan. The video, edited with AI, originates from the drama serial Ehd-e-Wafa.
November 30, 2024: Journalist Matiullah Jan has been released from Adiala Jail after securing bail, ending fears of a potential transfer to Attock Jail. He expressed gratitude to supporters and shared light-hearted moments about his custody.
November 30, 2024: Daily Dawn condemns the arrest of journalist Matiullah Jan as a misuse of the law. The editorial highlights concerns over the state's weaponization of legal provisions against journalists, activists, and dissenters.
November 30, 2024: The Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court has granted bail to journalist Matiullah Jan in a case involving drugs and terrorism charges. He was released on a surety bond of PKR 10,000 following the suspension of his physical remand by the Islamabad High Court.
November 29, 2024: The Lahore High Court has ordered the production of journalist Shakir Mahmood Awan’s alleged kidnapper by Monday while summoning IG Punjab and demanding CCTV footage from Safe City.
November 29, 2024: Suno TV faces criticism for targeting senior journalist Matiullah Jan with a smear campaign following his controversial abduction and arrest. This raises serious concerns about media ethics and press freedom in Pakistan.
November 29, 2024: WISPAP has requested the Ministry of Interior to extend the deadline for VPN registration in Pakistan, citing the need to ensure compliance amid increasing VPN usage after platform bans.
December 05, 2024 Over 50 journalists protested in Kuala Lumpur against proposed amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act, which threaten press freedom. IFJ and NUJM urge the government to withdraw the bill and engage in stakeholder consultation.
December 04, 2024 The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 faces uncertainty as Pakistan's hosting rights clash with India's refusal to participate. A political and financial standoff unfolds.
December 03, 2024 Submit your work for the Global Shining Light Award by February 28, 2025. Celebrate investigative journalism from the Global South at the Kuala Lumpur conference.
November 21, 2024 Investigative journalist Rana Ayyub received over 200 threats after her phone number was leaked on social media by a right-wing content creator. IFJ and IJU demand Maharashtra authorities take immediate action against those responsible for this targeted online harassment.
November 20, 2024 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Germany is accepting applications for its 2025 Berlin Fellowship Program, offering journalists from crisis areas six months of digital security training, networking opportunities, and more.