JournalismPakistan.com | Published December 23, 2019
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD — The closing down of BBC’s flagship news program – Sairbeen – after five decades has evoked nostalgia on social media as the people remembered how the families would wait for the program for the latest news.
Javed Soomro, who works for BBC, felt honored to be associated with Sairbeen. He tweeted: “BBC Urdu’s radio program Sairbeen ending on December 31. This was the BBC’s flagship broadcast for Pakistan for over seven decades. I had an honor of presenting and editing Sairbeen for over a decade and I enjoyed every second of it.”
Asad Hashim, Al Jazeera English web correspondent, felt a voice of independent journalism has been silenced. “A heartfelt ode from @abbasnasir59 to a radio (and later TV) programme that defined independent journalism for a generation.”
Journalist Syed Arfeen said families would wait for Sairbeen. “All my family members used to wait for Sairbeen during #Karachi Operation in 90s to get the updates and thanks to late #IdreesBakhtiar who kept updating his audience. A sad day for #Journalism and student like me. @abbasnasir59 #Pakistan.”
Another Twitter user Mohammad Siddiq also remembered when his father would listen to Sairbeen. “I remember my father listening to sairbeen over a cup of tea like it was a daily ritual, a never miss thing. We brothers who used to study alongside were passive listeners. Still remember the addictive voice of shafi naqi jami sb.. End of an era.”
Hussain Askari, another BBC journalist, said a remarkable era of journalism has come to an end. “A remarkable program will soon be archived into the shelves of history. I had the honour of presenting and editing Sairbeen for more than 8 years and working with great broadcasters.”
Azra Syed said that with no Sairbeen next year will be a sad day for her. “This is really sad - My childhood memories are linked to It- it was most favourite programme of my Baba who never missed it even for a single day. Still when I listen to it, it takes me decades back, and I find myself sitting next to my baba listening #Sairbeen.”
However, another user – Common Man – was happy with the closing down of Sairbeen, saying over the past few years the program had become anti-Pakistan. “I hv been a listener of Sairbeen for a long long time but stopped for last 3-4 years bcs I noticed that it had a very obvious antiPakistan narrative. They will intentionally highlight news bringing bad name to Pak & analysts will always be biased against PAK. happy it is closing.”
Photo courtesy: BBC
April 21, 2025: After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.
April 21, 2025: Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.
April 20, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.