Journalism Pakistan
Journalism Pakistan
Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket فتح بھی پاکستان کرکٹ کے ڈھانچے کی تباہی نہیں چھپا سکتیJournalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude صحافیوں کا بجٹ کے بعد کی بریفنگ سے واک آؤٹ، حکومت کے توہین آمیز رویے پر احتجاجLegal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar ڈاکٹر نعمان نیاز کی جانب سے شعیب اختر کو ہتکِ عزت کا نوٹسHRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties ایچ آر سی پی کا پی ای سی اے کے مکمل خاتمے کا مطالبہ، آزادی اظہار اور شہری آزادیوں کے لیے خطرہ قرارPFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice پی ایف یو جے کا صحافی سید محمد شاہ کے قتل کی مذمت، قاتل کی فوری گرفتاری کا مطالبہState within a state? Police block reinstated Jang employees from resuming duties ریاست کے اندر ریاست؟ جنگ گروپ کے بحال شدہ ملازمین کو دفتر جانے سے روک دیا گیاMoeed Pirzada to report journalist Fakhar Durrani to FBI over alleged data theft معروف صحافی معید پیرزادہ کا فخر درانی کے خلاف ایف بی آئی کو رپورٹ کرنے کا فیصلہ

The dark side of journalism: Staged interview sparks outrage

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published June 16, 2012

Join our WhatsApp channel

The dark side of journalism: Staged interview sparks outrage

ISLAMABAD: There is no doubt in anybody’s mind about what Dunya anchors Meher Bukhari and Mubashar Lucqman did; they were willing participants in a staged interview featuring property tycoon Malik Riaz. Leaked footage amply proved the interview was enacted.

This was morally and professionally wrong.

Morally wrong because it was dishonesty on their part as they willingly went through a carefully orchestrated charade when they could have refused. Morally wrong because thousands of viewers had entrusted them with a responsibility which they abused.

Professionally wrong because the totally ignored the very basics of journalism by facilitating and participating in lies i.e. misreporting and promoting personal and second party agendas.

Professionally wrong because they destroyed whatever little integrity Pakistan’s media had by ignoring the guidelines recently set up by PEMRA and a think tank constituted by the major media houses

They did wrong.

But what has followed is equally wrong. The social media networks are having a field day facilitating comments and remarks that should not be entertained at all no matter what this duo has done.

Just check out the home pages of Meher Bukhari’s program, Crossfire (http://www.zemtv.com/2012/06/14/crossfire-meher-bokhari-trying-to-cover-her-fault-14th-june-2012/), and Mubashar Lucqman’s Khari Baat (http://www.zemtv.com/2012/06/11/khari-baat-luqman-ke-saath-media-persons-in-scandals-11th-june-2012/). There is a barrage of filthy abuse and vulgar insinuations and suggestions targeted at them and their families. Various parts of their anatomies have been discussed, not to mention what should be done with them etc.

Even their parents have not been spared abuse.

On FaceBook and certain blogs insinuating slogans across photo-shopped posters have popped up like mushrooms. They are neither funny nor appropriate; just a reflection of the social degeneration we exist in.

Elsewhere, the ‘List of 19” that have reportedly received favors, land and cash from Malik Riaz in the millions have already been dubbed ‘media whores’. Parallels have been drawn to dirty politicians, suspect judiciary, paid for actors and tainted cricket players.

The so-called online-forums and ‘Google Groups’ have been the biggest culprits/recipients as well as vehicles of such abuse. Condemnation is one thing, abuse is something else altogether.

These groups and their moderators need to show some responsibility.
 

Chief Minister's 300 photos, 60 pages: Punjab's advertising excess

Chief Minister's 300 photos, 60 pages: Punjab's advertising excess

 February 26, 2025:  An in-depth analysis of the Punjab Government's excessive self-promotion through media, costing taxpayers millions while masquerading propaganda as achievements.

Media ethics collapse as Punjab government buys front pages for self-praise

Media ethics collapse as Punjab government buys front pages for self-praise

 February 25, 2025:  The Punjab government faces criticism for spending millions in taxpayer money on misleading front-page advertisements across major Pakistani newspapers, raising serious questions about media integrity and public resource management.

When talk shows turn battlegrounds: The ugly face of Pakistani TV

When talk shows turn battlegrounds: The ugly face of Pakistani TV

 January 23, 2025:  An in-depth look at the recent scuffle on a Pakistani talk show, its implications for media ethics, and the urgent need for TV channels to uphold decorum during debates.

Dangerous medical misinformation: How PTV's false narrative threatens cancer patients

Dangerous medical misinformation: How PTV's false narrative threatens cancer patients

 December 18, 2024:  A critical examination of dangerous medical misinformation broadcast on Pakistan Television, exposing how political propaganda can potentially harm cancer patients by spreading false treatment narratives.

Geo News faces backlash after controversial tweet targeting Richard Grenell

Geo News faces backlash after controversial tweet targeting Richard Grenell

 December 17, 2024:  Geo News faces criticism after a homophobic tweet targeting Richard Grenell, a Trump advisor advocating for Imran Khan's release, which was subsequently deleted.

Unethical reporting: Suno TV targets Matiullah Jan amid controversial arrest

Unethical reporting: Suno TV targets Matiullah Jan amid controversial arrest

 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.

Sipping tea, watching lies: The reality of Pakistani media

Sipping tea, watching lies: The reality of Pakistani media

 August 17, 2024:  A viral video exposes a shocking reality about Pakistani media, where fake news circulates unchecked. The clip, featuring a false report on the arrest of former IG of Jails, Shahid Saleem, highlights the pervasive issue of yellow journalism and raises questions about news credibility.

Dr. Omar Adil's sexist comments against female anchors spark outrage

Dr. Omar Adil's sexist comments against female anchors spark outrage

 July 25, 2024:  Dr. Omar Adil's sexist remarks against female journalists, including Gharidah Farooqi, have ignited widespread criticism, calling for full accountability and stronger actions against misogynistic language in the industry.

Newsroom
Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket

Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket

 June 11, 2025 Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.

Journalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude

Journalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude

 June 11, 2025 Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.

Legal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar

Legal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar

 May 31, 2025 Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.

HRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties

HRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties

 May 30, 2025 The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.

PFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice

PFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice

 May 30, 2025 The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.