JournalismPakistan.com | Published February 03, 2017 | Daud Malik
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD - The Friday Times (TFT) says a vicious hate campaign has been unleashed at the behest of a television channel and its lead anchor, against its editor-in-chief and Geo News analyst Najam Sethi.
This complaint has been made in the gossip section of the weekly newspaper – Such Gup. In the column, the paper does not directly name the persons but drops broad hints to let the readers know who’s who. Imran Khan is often referred to as The Great Khan and the Prime Minister as The Man of Steel and Pakistan People’s Party is the Big Ben’s party. Normally the tone of Such Gup is light. But on Friday it was serious, worrying about efforts to repress freedom of speech.
Though Such Gup did not name the television channel and its anchor, reference to BOL News and Amir Liaquat Hussain is obvious.
The weekly said the main grouse of these two (the TV channel and lead anchor) is with Geo and its owners, for various reasons, to do with competition and the market. “Both the channel and the anchor have been nudged to attack all of Geo’s leading anchors on various trumped up charges.”
But the weekly’s worry is that the focus of the “attack seems to have shifted to Mr. Sethi because the Powers-That-Be are unhappy with his critique of their policies”. It said banners have appeared against Sethi for being “anti-national” and a sedition case filed in a Karachi anti-terrorist court. Powers-That-Be is another euphemism about the military establishment.
The paper said an attempt to lodge a blasphemy complaint has been rebuffed by the Sindh High Court but this is unlikely to deter those who are inciting people to violence. “Rallies have taken place in various towns and cities, and more are planned. This is nothing short of incitement to violence, and a new high in repression of free speech.”
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
April 28, 2025: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and individual journalists, following the deadly Pahalgam attack. Tensions escalate as Islamabad demands a neutral probe.
April 23, 2025: Pakistani journalists respond in unison to a post hinting at a possible Indian military strike. Citing the 2019 ‘Swift Retort,’ they warn of a stronger response if provoked again.
April 21, 2025: After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.
April 21, 2025: Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.
April 20, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.