JournalismPakistan.com | Published April 17, 2017
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD - In a hard-hitting column Chairman Pakistan Television, Ataul Haq Qasmi, Monday maintained that unfortunately the number of “stinking TV anchors” is on the rise.
Though the title of the regular column Rozan-e-Dewar Say in Jang is Sheeda Tulli, only two paragraphs are against the head of Pakistan Awami Party Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. The rest of the column is against “dirty and stinking anchors who have nothing else to do but muddy the reputation of clean people.”
But Qasmi did not name any of the TV channels or anchors he is angry with.
“There are three or four private TV channels whose anchors’ tongues are vituperative…these dirty people cannot see somebody with clean reputation…whenever they see a clean person they start muddying his reputation to make him like themselves,” Qasmi wrote. He said these anchors’ income is through dishonest means (haram).
However, he adds that he has stopped these negative channels and anchors since long but still whatever they say is conveyed to him. “These are the people who cannot listen to any good thing about the people of Pakistan. Their only desire is to listen to abuses and character assassination.”
He added that he only sees TV channels which are balanced and have topline journalists. “But the anchors I am talking about are full of slanderous talk and show their inner stinking selves on TV screens.” He said that the “stinking anchors” have no sense of honor.
Qasmi said he would not have written this column if he had not seen video clips of two anchors who are mainstream journalists. “They cannot be counted among dirty people but in those clips, they have said things without confirming facts.”
He regretted that courts are helpless before slanderous content on private TV channels. “According to Mujibur Rehman Shami, there are 5000 pending cases filed by PEMRA. These cases are for violating journalistic norms.”
Qasmi wrote that these journalists are only afraid of Pakistan Army and their tongues do not wag against the armed forces.
Only the last two paragraphs of his column are against Sheikh Rashid as he calls him “peon, bhand, chilumbardar,” and of course Sheeda Tulli.
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.