Journalism Pakistan
Journalism Pakistan
Freedom of expression shrinks in Pakistan as PECA Amendments take toll: report اظہارِ رائے کی آزادی محدود، پیکا میں ترامیم سے میڈیا کو شدید دھچکا: رپورٹDawn urges Indian media to abandon war rhetoric ڈان کی بھارتی میڈیا سے جنگی بیانیہ ترک کرنے کی اپیلIndia bans 16 Pakistani YouTube channels following Pahalgan attack پہلگام حملے کے بعد بھارت نے پاکستان کے 16 یوٹیوب چینلز پر پابندی لگا دی'In A Different Realm' offers a philosophical take on cricket's greatest innings ان اے ڈیفرنٹ ریلم کرکٹ کی عظیم ترین اننگز پر ایک فکری نقطۂ نظر پیش کرتی ہےCoordinated or coincidence? Identical tweets by Pakistani journalists raise eyebrows ہم آہنگی یا محض اتفاق؟ پاکستانی صحافیوں کے ایک جیسے ٹویٹس نے سوالات اٹھا دیےThe PSL paradox: pageantry or progress? پی ایس ایل کا تضاد: دکھاوا یا ترقی؟Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists after PTI expulsion پی ٹی آئی سے نکالے جانے کے بعد شیر افضل مروت کے صحافیوں پر ذاتی حملےJournalist Sanaullah Khan alleges FIA blocking accounts of YouTubers and families صحافی ثناء اللہ خان کا انکشاف: ایف آئی اے یوٹیوبرز اور ان کے خاندانوں کے اکاؤنٹس بلاک کر رہی ہےA launch in style: Dr. Nauman Niaz unveils 'In A Different Realm' ان اے ڈفرنٹ ریلم کی رونمائی: ڈاکٹر نعمان نیاز کی کتاب Sindhi journalist AD Shar brutally murdered, PFUJ declares three-day mourning سندھی صحافی اے ڈی شر کا بہیمانہ قتل، پی ایف یو جے نے تین روزہ سوگ کا اعلان کر دیاAJK government registers case against newspaper and staff آزاد کشمیر حکومت کا اخبار اور عملے کے خلاف مقدمہJournalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges FIA threats, possible arrest over reporting صحافی آرزو کاظمی کا دعویٰ: ایف آئی اے کی دھمکیاں، رپورٹنگ پر ممکنہ گرفتاری

When journos become part of the circus

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published June 09, 2012 |  Daud Malik

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When journos become part of the circus

ISLAMABAD: It is now bordering on the absurd. Media has become a vehicle for bringing forth perhaps one of the biggest scandals in the country’s history but not without questions being asked about its credibility.  

It is strange and incredulous that four or five top notch journalists have said ad nauseam on almost every talk show how they visited the property tycoon Malik Riaz at his home – clearly telling us they are ‘special’, a breed apart.

They go on to add how the tycoon showed them the ‘incriminating’ evidence against the son of the chief justice. But none of them was able to get their hands on the evidence, telling us the tycoon didn’t allow that.

Still they first became part of the ‘whispering campaign’ and then came out with the ‘evidence’ which perhaps led to the chief justice taking suo motu against his son.

If these ‘senior journalists’ with their self righteous and patronizing attitude made it clear they are superior having had the privilege of being invited by the tycoon himself, on the other end of the spectrum are those who were not so privileged.

They didn’t have the honor of saying again and again how they heard ‘whispers’ and then the tycoon’s phone call came, and they went and they saw the ‘holy grail’ and came back believing the son is no good.

So the other side is spitting venom on those who met the tycoon, asking what if he (the tycoon) told the court no dossier exists and no video. Right now it seems a wish, which if it came true could turn all the attention to the ‘privileged’ journalists and questions might be asked about their credibility.

 It’s also an assumption, perhaps based on the fact that the case is too high profile and brings into focus too many sensitive players with consequences too scary to discuss that the central character may himself back off.

But irrespective of the fact what’s the outcome of the case, the sadder part is that very ‘senior’ journalists seem to be losing all sense of being journalists. They have come across as a mixture of showmen-cum-vigilante, with little regard for journalistic norms. Their self-righteousness is repelling.

Sadly, the big names in journalism are already telling the talk shows about the tycoon’s disappointment with ‘other journalists’ for taking ‘goodies’ from him and still talking against him.

Where this circus will end? The senior journalists have to ask themselves what they want - recognition based on their work or quest for goodies and that too with the tag of a ‘fighter’ for press freedom, always talking about the rights of the poor but only rubbing shoulders with the rich.

Losing credibility will be the biggest loss for the media. People will continue to see the talk shows, the aggressive posturing, the patronizing and know-all tone, but they will understand journalists have become part of the circus.

(Daud Malik is a senior journalist who has worked for Dawn and The News)
 

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