PTI boycotts Geo again

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 10 years ago

Join our WhatsApp channel

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has again started boycott of Geo News Television after bowing to pressure and criticism from party workers and supporters.

A source in the PTI media cell tells JournalismPakistan.com that an earlier boycott was ended following personal requests by Hamid Mir, anchorperson of ‘Capital Talk.’

The party officially ended boycott of the channel on Feb 16 after eight-and-a-half months when its central leader Shafqat Mahmood participated in Mir’s program.

The boycott ended following the decision of the party’s core committee as it said, “on the request of Geo-Jang Group, PTI had been monitoring the shift to fairer reporting on PTI and an end to personal attacks on the chairman in the group’s print and electronic outputs over the last three weeks. It was found that there had been a shift towards more balanced reporting on PTI.”

The party said that in light of these factors, it was decided in the core committee meeting to allow “selected spokespersons” to begin appearing on Geo talk shows and give beepers to Geo on PTI positions on national issues/unfolding events.

“We faced a barrage of criticism from our workers and social media activists over ending the boycott; so we are left with no option but to stop sending our party members to Geo talk shows as guests,” the source said.

Don't Miss These

Talat Hussain says offensive viral clip was edited out, not aired on Samaa TV

November 04, 2025: Talat Hussain denies airing the viral clip showing Sher Afzal Marwat’s vulgar remark, saying it was not part of his Samaa TV show.

PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007 emergency as Pakistan’s darkest day

November 03, 2025: PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007, as Pakistan’s darkest day under Musharraf, urging protection for journalists and the abolition of laws threatening press freedom.

PFUJ calls for end to Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

November 02, 2025: PFUJ urges Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments to end Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and ensure their safety and press freedom.

Global impunity for journalist murders worsens as Pakistan sees 60 percent rise in attacks

November 02, 2025: Impunity for crimes against journalists deepens worldwide as Pakistan reports a 60 percent surge in attacks and weak enforcement of safety laws.

Pakistan Press Foundation documents 137 attacks on journalists in 2025

November 01, 2025: Pakistan Press Foundation reports 137 attacks on journalists in 2025, highlighting rising threats, legal harassment, and censorship on the International Day to End Impunity.

Anchor Talat Hussain laughs as Marwat makes vulgar comment on air

November 01, 2025: A viral Samaa TV clip featuring MNA Sher Afzal Marwat’s crude remarks and Talat Hussain’s laughter raises questions about the declining ethics of Pakistani television.

Why was this DawnNews TV journalist targeted in a foiled murder plot?

October 31, 2025: Police foiled a plot to kill DawnNewsTV journalist Tahir Naseer in Rawalpindi after arresting suspects hired for Rs200,000. Naseer says threats followed his reporting.

CPJ calls on Pakistan to prosecute killers of journalist Imtiaz Mir

October 31, 2025: CPJ calls on Pakistan to bring Imtiaz Mir’s killers to justice after the journalist was allegedly murdered by a banned militant group in Karachi.

Newsroom

Pulitzer Center offers global grants for in-depth journalism

November 05, 2025 The Pulitzer Center is offering global reporting grants for journalists worldwide, funding high-impact projects on underreported issues with rolling applications in 2025.

CPJ urges probe after journalist Rana Ayyub receives death threats in India

November 04, 2025 Journalist Rana Ayyub receives death threats over calls demanding a column on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as CPJ urges swift action to protect journalists in India.

Moldovan journalist Mariana Rață receives death threat after interview

November 04, 2025 TV8 journalist Mariana Rata in Moldova receives a death threat after interviewing politician Renato Usatii on-air, raising concerns about journalist safety.

Indonesia’s agriculture minister faces backlash over lawsuit against Tempo

November 03, 2025 Global journalist unions condemn the Indonesian agriculture minister’s lawsuit against Tempo, calling it a threat to press freedom and demanding that the case be withdrawn.

All About Macau to cease print and online operations amid mounting pressure

November 02, 2025 Independent outlet All About Macau to halt print and online operations amid rising pressure, financial strain, and legal threats, sparking press freedom concerns in the city.