Backlash grows as Geo News fires another bureau chief

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 9 May 2023

Geo News has dismissed Mudassar Saeed, the Islamabad bureau chief, following the termination of another chief, Fahim Siddiqui. These actions have drawn criticism from within the media and raised concerns about workers' rights.

Summary

KARACHI—Geo News Television has terminated Mudassar Saeed, an executive producer with a seven-year tenure as the bureau chief in Islamabad.

His sacking comes merely a day after the channel fired Fahim Siddiqui, the bureau chief in Karachi, who had actively advocated for better salaries and improved working conditions within the organization.

Saeed became the latest casualty in what appears to be a crackdown on employees raising their voices for workers' rights. The dismissals have triggered condemnation from within and outside the media industry.

The abrupt termination of Saeed has raised concerns about the treatment of employees and freedom of expression within Geo News.

Fahim Siddiqui took to social media to express his solidarity with his colleague, highlighting that their only fault was advocating for the rights of their fellow workers.

The dismissals have sparked a wave of backlash, with journalists condemning Geo News for its actions. Many are calling for an immediate reinstatement of Siddiqui and Saeed, urging the network to respect the rights of its employees and ensure a fair working environment.

Critics argue that the termination of two prominent employees within such a short span of time reflects a growing trend of suppressing dissent and stifling freedom of speech within media organizations. The incidents have reignited the debate about better labor protections and employee representation in the media industry.