JournalismPakistan.com | Published February 18, 2022
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—Dawn newspaper on Friday termed the arrest of the editor of a local newswire Mohsin Baig and torture of anchorperson Iqrar ul Hasan an obvious display of the PTI government's contempt for the freedom of speech.
In an editorial—High-handed tactics— the paper maintained that the media environment, and more broadly the right to freedom of speech, has become increasingly constricted in Pakistan. "The PTI government's intolerance of dissent and its hostility towards the media has created a situation where journalists are seen as fair game for trolling, character assassination and worse."
Mohsin Baig, the owner of Online News Agency, was arrested from his home in Islamabad after Minister for Communication Murad Saeed filed a request with FIA.
In a talk show, Baig hinted that Murad was declared the best minister not because of his performance but because of his "illicit" relations with Prime Minister Imran Khan, as narrated by the second wife of the premier, Reham Khan, in her book. At the time of arrest, there was a scuffle and Baig was seen holding a gun and grabbing an FIA officer.
The minister on Thursday announced going to court against Reham Khan also.
The editorial added that television host Syed Iqrarul Hassan leveled serious allegations against officials of the Intelligence Bureau. "According to the journalist, the intelligence personnel detained him and his colleagues for hours at the agency's Karachi office after they attempted to expose an IB inspector's alleged corruption and subjected them to extreme torture and humiliation."
However, the editorial seemed to politely question Hassan's brand of journalism and how Baig was allowed to make allegations against the Minister for Communication and the prime minister in the talk show G for Gharidah. It also asked, "TV channels that they revisit their codes of conduct."
But the paper maintained that the high-handedness exercised by the government was "unacceptable."
The paper advised the government to sometimes ignore some of the fights at the end. "Sometimes it is better to let sleeping dogs lie."
January 23, 2025: CPJ exposes Pakistan's dangerous deportation of Afghan journalists fleeing Taliban persecution, highlighting critical human rights violations and press freedom challenges. #JournalistSafety
January 23, 2025: Pakistan's PECA Amendment exposes a dangerous assault on press freedom, creating a repressive social media regulatory framework that threatens digital expression and criminalizes journalism. #MediaFreedom #PakistanLaw #DigitalRights #Censorship #JournalismUnderThreat
January 23, 2025: An in-depth look at the recent scuffle on a Pakistani talk show, its implications for media ethics, and the urgent need for TV channels to uphold decorum during debates.
January 22, 2025: PFUJ condemns the neglect of PTV pensioners who protested in Islamabad for unpaid dues and benefits. Union urges authorities to resolve issues without delay.
January 22, 2025: The PFUJ has condemned the new amendments to PECA 2016, describing them as unconstitutional and threatening press freedom. It warns of nationwide protests if the government doesn’t withdraw the bill.
January 22, 2025: The FIA has registered 18 cases, including against 10 more suspects, for sharing AI-generated images of Maryam Nawaz and the UAE President. The crackdown also targets those who liked or commented on the images.
January 21, 2025: Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulates Trump on X despite the year-long platform ban, sparking outrage over government double standards and digital censorship concerns.
January 17, 2025: In an unprecedented breach of judicial protocol, Pakistani journalists accurately revealed Imran Khan's 14-year sentence in the Al-Qadir case on social media 24 hours before the official verdict, raising serious questions about court independence
January 20, 2025 Pakistan at the Crossroads of Glory and Expectation! As hosts and defending champions of the ICC Champions Trophy, the team stands poised for greatness. Can they turn the weight of national hope into victory? Read our in-depth analysis!
January 18, 2025 A CPJ report reveals that 361 journalists were jailed globally in 2024, with China, Israel, and Myanmar leading. The alarming trend highlights threats to press freedom and rising authoritarian repression worldwide.
January 16, 2025 Explore the evolution of the ICC Champions Trophy and cricket’s commercialization journey, from a gentleman’s game to a global enterprise. Discover how the ICC balanced tradition with revenue generation.
January 12, 2025 Explore an in-depth analysis of Pakistan cricket's decline in Test matches, examining systemic failures, cultural challenges, and the urgent need for modernization. From mismanagement of talents like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi to resistance against technological advancement, this comprehensive piece investigates how a cricket powerhouse finds itself at a critical crossroads between tradition and progress.
January 09, 2025 Shan Masood's magnificent 145 and a record-breaking opening stand with Babar Azam highlighted Pakistan's valiant fight against South Africa in Cape Town. Despite their resilience, Pakistan fell short, reflecting on deeper cricketing issues.