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Hamid Mir taken off air following recent outburst

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 31 May 2021 |  Cherie Conela

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Hamid Mir taken off air following recent outburst
Hamid Mir has been suspended from Geo News after criticizing the establishment during a protest for fellow journalist Asad Toor. This marks a recurring issue for Mir, who has faced bans in the past for his outspoken views.

ISLAMABAD – Geo News has taken prominent journalist and presenter Hamid Mir off-air after he aimed at the establishment during a protest for tortured journalist Asad Toor in Islamabad last week.

“Nothing new for me. I was banned twice in the past. Lost jobs twice. Survived assassination attempts but cannot stop raising voice for the rights given in the constitution,” Mir tweeted on Monday.

It is the second time Mir’s program Capital Talk has been banned; the first ban was during President Pervez Musharraf’s term.

“This time I m ready for any consequences and ready to go at any extent because they are threatening my family,” the presenter said.

Following his comments at last week’s protest, #ArrestHamidMir was a top trend on Twitter.

Geo News management did not issue an official statement.

Asma Shirazi, a famous television presenter, said: “If @HamidMirPAK is taken off air or banned from doing program on #GeoNews, more fingers will point towards the powerful establishment & the government while resounding the “words that he said”. Journalists of Pak stand with #HamidMir #Geo management must clarify its position.”

KEY POINTS:

  • Hamid Mir taken off-air by Geo News.
  • Comments made during a protest for Asad Toor led to suspension.
  • This is not the first ban for Mir; he faced similar actions previously.
  • #ArrestHamidMir trended on social media after his remarks.
  • Asma Shirazi and others show support for Mir against censorship.

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