Time over, Mati told

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 26 May 2012 |  Steve Manuel

Journalist and TV host Matiullah Jan says Dawn News management told him his time at the channel was over. Reports also name Mubashir Zaidi and Azaz Syed among those asked to resign by May 31 or face termination.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Hard-hitting journalist and TV talk show host Matiullah Jan told JournalismPakistan.com Saturday that the Dawn News management had informed him that his time was up at the news channel. Less than 24 hours earlier, Mati had denied he had been fired, saying it was untrue and that he had not been asked to clean out his office immediately.

Mati had hinted at the time his status could change in a week’s time. And…now it has. Earlier on Friday, reports of Mati being one of three big names to be sacked by Dawn News spread through the industry like wildfire.

It had been reported that Mati, host of the controversial but hugely popular Aapna Gareban, had been shown the door along with Mubashir Zaidi, Editor North Dawn News, and Azaz Syed.

Strangely enough this information was confirmed by Dawn insiders as well as sources in other news channels, including Geo and ARY. Sources are now telling us that Mati and his crew as well as Mubashir Zaidi and Azaz Syed will now be replaced by personnel from Samaa which has been bleeding staff to Dunya as well.

Mati is said to have been targeted because of his almost ‘missionary-like’ zeal to reveal the ‘truth’ about the media, politicians, and judiciary and of course, the military. Aapna Gareban is seen by many to have precipitated Mati’s downfall. In the program, which drew both extreme criticism and rave reviews, Mati exposed corrupt journalists.

Mati has a reputation of being a straight talker and this trait has ruffled more than a few feathers in all four areas of interest. On the other hand, insiders at Dawn News say Mati was part of a ‘power lobby’ that did not sit well with the management and especially with the new Editor Zahid Mazhar.

While Mubashir has been reportedly running from pillar to post, meeting with the heads of news channels in a bid to land a job, Mati has put forward the idea for establishing a journalists’ emergency fund, a sorely needed respite for many media persons going through a difficult phase such as being jobless, especially at a time when most news channels and newspapers have been going through downsizing.

While his proposal has largely been greeted enthusiastically and considered a meaningful and badly-needed initiative, there exists a certain lobby bent on discrediting Mati and accusing him of attempting to make “a quick buck.” Those that know Mati say this accusation is the result of envy and vindictiveness.

Mubashir, it has been learned tried to meet Dawn Editor Zafar Abbas to land a job, but was not successful. He is also said to have tried to approach Zafar Siddiqui, the owner of Samaa and CNBC but got the cold shoulder. Meanwhile, resignation letters have reportedly been prepared for Mati, Mubashir and Azaz, according to a source within Dawn News HR.

The three have been given up till May 31st to resign. If they do not, termination letters will be issued. Industry watchers are waiting with bated breaths to see what happens. The buzz is that the trio will resign and that it is the only option open.

KEY POINTS:

• Matiullah Jan said Dawn News told him his time at the channel was up.
• Reports earlier claimed Matiullah Jan, Mubashir Zaidi and Azaz Syed were being removed.
• Sources said the affected staff could be replaced by personnel from Samaa.
• Aapna Gareban and Matiullah Jan’s criticism of media and institutions were cited as factors by sources.
• A source said resignation letters were prepared with a May 31 deadline before termination.