A trio of journalists in a war of tweets

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 13 December 2018

Khawar Ghumman's tweet sparks a heated exchange among journalists regarding their reactions to judicial verdicts. Matiullah Jan and Mubashir Zaidi join the fray, defending their positions and challenging Ghumman's claims.

Summary

ISLAMABAD - A tweet by Dunya News Islamabad Bureau Chief Khawar Ghumman accusing journalists of having double standards over the verdicts of judiciary has turned into a tweeting war, mainly involving Matiullah Jan and Mubashir Zaidi.

It started after Ghumman in his tweet on Tuesday maintained that when the judiciary sent political analyst Dr. Shahid Masood to jail in a graft case, the journalists were happy and praised the judges. However, in the case of PML-N leader Saad Rafiq and the Sharifs, they have started protesting.

Our many media gladiators are seriously worried when NAB nabbed Khawaja brothers but too much happy over the arrest of @Shahidmasooddr. When judges send Dr behind the bars they praised judiciary and in case of Sharifs and Khawajas they start crying and chest thumping.

— Khawar Ghumman (@Ghummans) December 12, 2018

Not to be left behind in any controversy, Mati asked who expressed glee over the arrest of Dr. Shahid Masood. Ghumman bluntly replied: “You and your cabal”.

Before Mati could respond, Mubashir Zaidi of DawnNews jumped in: “Janab Ghumman sahib. Dr sahib is facing probe as former PTV boss not as a journalist.”

So Dr Shahid Masood was arrested on NAB orders or FIA? Kam az kam facts mein dandi to na maara karo. You've been a reporter https://t.co/V23t2FIR0b

— Mubashir Zaidi (@Xadeejournalist) December 12, 2018

Ghumman hit back saying it seems the other accused facing NAB cases have been arrested for “stealing yogurt”.

Zaidi then accused Ghumman of distorting facts. “ReSo Dr Shahid Masood was arrested on NAB orders or FIA? Kam az kam facts mein dandi to na maara karo. You've been a reporter”.

Anchor Dr Shahid Masood, not a journalist by profession, seems to be willingly playing an assigned role (flaunting handcuffs) to demean journalists and belittle journalism, a warning to journalist anchors who dare to speak out. This case is about his govt job and not journalism. https://t.co/340s7Z7LiE

— Matiullah Jan (@Matiullahjan919) December 12, 2018

However in another tweet, Mati maintained that the arrested doctor was not a journalist and was demeaning and belittling journalists by flaunting handcuffs. “Anchor Dr Shahid Masood, not a journalist by profession, seems to be willingly playing an assigned role (flaunting handcuffs) to demean journalists and belittle journalism, a warning to journalist anchors who dare to speak out. This case is about his govt job and not journalism.”

KEY POINTS:

• Khawar Ghumman criticizes journalists for their double standards.
• Matiullah Jan and Mubashir Zaidi engage in a public Twitter dispute.
• Debate centers around the case of Dr. Shahid Masood and judicial accountability.
• Ghumman suggests media supports judiciary when it aligns with their views.
• Zaidi defends Dr. Masood's arrest as not related to journalism.