Female Hum News journalists not allowed to cover JUI-F rally
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 1 November 2019
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Shiffa Z. Yousafzai and Annie Shirazi were not allowed to cover the JUI-F rally due to their gender, which sparked controversy. Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri later addressed the issue, urging respect for female journalists.Summary
ISLAMABAD — Hum News journalists Shiffa Z. Yousafzai and Annie Shirazi were not allowed to cover the JUI-F rally in Islamabad that drew criticism from the channel’s head.
Muhammad Malick said the two were barred because they were women. “What a shame and what a silly way to misrepresent Islamic teachings. Shameful indeed!”
Our two journalists Shifa Yousufzi & Annie shirazi we’re barred from covering JUI-F rally because they were ‘women’ and weren’t allowed to enter the venue. Seriously...cause they were women? What a shame and what a silly way to misrepresent Islamic teachings. Shameful indeed!
— Mohammad Malick (@MalickViews) November 1, 2019
There were reports that a few other female journalists representing different channels were also not allowed to enter.
Ms. Yousafzai took to Twitter to disclose that a mob encircled them. “Their reactions, the slogans they chanted against me (women) were pretty ugly…”
What we saw today there at #Azadi_March being encircled by the mob, their reactions, the slogans they chanted against me (women) were pretty ugly... pic.twitter.com/D8w7E5bfKr
— Shiffa Z. Yousafzai (@Shiffa_ZY) November 1, 2019
On the other hand, Ms. Annie said that she had covered politics for some time now but never in her career was she barred from covering an event. “I went to cover JUI #AzaadiMarch earlier this morning. JUI security personnel asked me to leave because I was a woman.”
I have been covering politics for some time now, but never in my journalistic career have I been barred from covering an event. I went to cover JUI #AzaadiMarch earlier this morning. JUI security personnel asked me to leave because I was a woman. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/BPa96tlpES
— Annie (@aaminsann) November 1, 2019
Later, Geo News presenter Hamid Mir said on Twitter that Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri had “announced from the Azadi March stage that women journalists should not be stopped from covering the march and treat all women with respect no ban on entry of women in dharna.”
Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri announced from Azadi March stage that women journalists should not be stopped from covering the march and treat all women with respect no ban on entry of women in dharna
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) November 1, 2019
Key Points
- Two female reporters barred from covering a rally in Islamabad.
- The incident faced criticism for gender discrimination.
- Both journalists expressed their shock on social media.
- A senator later called for respectful treatment of women reporters.
- This incident highlights ongoing challenges for women in journalism.
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