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.
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 3 months ago | JP Staff Report
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ISLAMABAD—In a rare admission of error, senior investigative journalist Azaz Syed has publicly apologized for a significant journalistic blunder after falsely reporting that U.S. President Donald Trump would be visiting Pakistan on September 18. The report, which aired on Geo News, was proven inaccurate after it emerged that Trump was scheduled to be in the United Kingdom from September 17 to 19.
The premature and incorrect report raised eyebrows, especially given Syed’s standing as a seasoned journalist and Geo News’ reputation as a leading news outlet. The misinformation also reflects a worrying trend in Pakistani electronic media, where race-for-ratings often supersedes fact-checking.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Azaz Syed expressed remorse: "Today, I feel deeply embarrassed to admit that I misreported the date related to U.S. President Donald Trump — the information I shared was premature and not yet final. I take full responsibility for this oversight and offer my sincerest apologies to all my followers, including my organization, Geo News, which has always trusted me. I remain firmly committed to accuracy, integrity, and transparency in my work, and I truly regret this mistake."
Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan on Thursday said he had “no information” regarding widespread reports of United States President Donald Trump’s visit to Pakistan in September.
While Azaz Syed’s apology is a step in the right direction, the incident underscores the growing need for stronger editorial checks and accountability mechanisms within mainstream Pakistani media, particularly when reporting on international affairs.
Photo: Azaz Syed-LinkedIn
اسلام آباد—سینئر تحقیقی صحافی اعزاز سید نے سابق امریکی صدر ڈونلڈ ٹرمپ کے پاکستان کے دورے سے متعلق غلط خبر نشر کرنے پر عوامی معذرت کی ہے۔ انہوں نے دعویٰ کیا تھا کہ ٹرمپ 18 ستمبر کو پاکستان کا دورہ کریں گے، تاہم بعد ازاں یہ تصدیق ہوئی کہ ٹرمپ 17 سے 19 ستمبر تک برطانیہ میں موجود ہوں گے۔
یہ غلط خبر جیو نیوز پر نشر کی گئی، جس سے نہ صرف چینل کی ساکھ متاثر ہوئی بلکہ صحافتی پیشہ ورانہ اصولوں پر بھی سوال اٹھے۔ اعزاز سید جیسے تجربہ کار صحافی سے اس قسم کی کوتاہی پر کئی حلقوں میں حیرت کا اظہار کیا گیا ہے، خاص طور پر ایسے وقت میں جب پاکستانی میڈیا میں ’سب سے پہلے‘ خبر دینے کی دوڑ میں غلطیاں عام ہوتی جا رہی ہیں۔
اعزاز سید نے ایکس (سابقہ ٹوئٹر) پر معذرت کرتے ہوئے کہا:
"آج مجھے انتہائی شرمندگی کے ساتھ اعتراف کرنا پڑ رہا ہے کہ میں نے امریکی صدر ڈونلڈ ٹرمپ کے حوالے سے جو تاریخ بتائی، وہ قبل از وقت اور غیر مصدقہ تھی۔ میں اس غلطی کی مکمل ذمہ داری لیتا ہوں اور اپنے تمام فالوورز، خصوصاً اپنی تنظیم جیو نیوز سے، جو ہمیشہ مجھ پر اعتماد کرتی ہے، سے دلی معذرت چاہتا ہوں۔ میں صحافتی دیانت، شفافیت اور درستگی کے اصولوں پر قائم ہوں اور اس غلطی پر واقعی نادم ہوں۔"
اگرچہ اعزاز سید کی معذرت خوش آئند ہے، لیکن یہ واقعہ اس بات کی نشان دہی کرتا ہے کہ پاکستانی میڈیا کو خبروں کی اشاعت سے پہلے مؤثر ایڈیٹوریل جانچ پڑتال اور ذمہ داری کے اصولوں کو مزید بہتر بنانے کی اشد ضرورت ہے۔
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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