Contempt notice to The News sets Twitter alight

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 10 July 2017

The Supreme Court issued a contempt notice to The News following a report on JIT proceedings, sparking significant reactions on Twitter. Journalists and political commentators criticized the move, raising concerns over media freedom and the implications for investigative journalism.

Summary

ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court’s contempt notice to The News for reporting on the JIT proceedings set the Twitter alight Monday.

Columnist Zahid Hussain termed Ahmed Noorani’s story on which the SC issued contempt of court notice a “remarkable piece of investigative journalism” before adding that “entire JIT report was revealed while still being written. Hats off”.

Abbas Nasir, former editor of Dawn, said: “Drama in SC on The News story and the JIT report. The main protagonist of the case remains in `Chilla´gali.”

Talat Hussain, who does a program on Geo TV, came up with a series of angry tweets. He questioned the reporting of bitter rivals ARY News, especially Sabir Shakir. Posting Shakir’s picture, he tweeted: “Who is feeding them? And is this reporting accurate? This is just one example.”

Talat also criticized the SC judges on the issue of leaking of picture of Hussain Nawaz. “And we thought the bench was custodian of all JIT affairs. But picture leaker is out of their remit. Strange.”

He also added that “Record tampering case registration against Hijazi upon court orders but to find picture leaker is govt responsibility!”. He even also rapped the JIT members for writing word evidence in red on the boxes they brought with them to the apex court. “So the JIT brings report with boxes indicating in RED the word EVIDENCE so that all cameras can film it. Amazing media play. #JITDay.”

In his latest tweet, he angrily said: “Its becoming JIT-20. Hitting at everything & anyone against whom there is a grudge. As far away from Panamaleaks as Panama is from Pakistan.”

Tweeting in Urdu, Sabir Shakir said “jealousy is incurable”. He asked Talat to either unblock him or show moral courage and appear in his program.

Senior journalist Owaid Tohid thought if Geo/Jang is rightly or wrongly perceived as “pawn/B team of current regime then its high time for the largest media house to introspect.”

However, Cyril Almedia of Dawn argued: “Incur the wrath of the military and you're only left with the govt to save you? Agree/disagree, not hard to see why they're doing it...Û"”

Mubasher Zaidi, who is associated with DawnNews opposed the contempt notice to Jang Group. “How can #SupremeCourt order contempt against reporters? Setting bad precedent and against the law #PanamaJIT”.

Umer Cheema of The News vowed for the Jang Group. “I'm with Jang Group for 10 years now. Never pressured into reporting what I found incorrect. Never pushed into saying what I found wrong.”

Veteran journalist Nusrat Javeed wondered: “What if @Ahmad_Noorani's report proves correct at the end of the day?!”

KEY POINTS:

• Supreme Court issues contempt notice to The News.
• Zahid Hussain praises the investigative journalism of Ahmed Noorani.
• Debate on media freedom intensifies on social media.
• Criticism against rival media outlets and the handling of JIT reports.
• Concerns raised about the precedent set by the contempt notice.