Daily Times fires four

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 1 January 2013

Daily Times terminated four reporters from their Islamabad office citing financial constraints. This follows ongoing salary payment issues affecting staff morale.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Just as the New Year began, Daily Times sacked four reporters from their Islamabad office Tuesday.

The termination notices sent to their homes said their contracts were not being renewed because of financial difficulties.

Two of the journalists laid off served the organization for several years. The other two joined only last year.

Last month, two staff members, frustrated over prolonged salary delays, attempted self-immolation in Islamabad. The incident occurred during work hours but timely intervention by colleagues thwarted their plans.

Delays in paying off staff salaries are common at Daily Times. One of the terminated reporters told JournalismPakistan.com the management owed him nine-month salary.

The Daily Times belongs to the Media Times Group that also publishes Urdu language Daily Aaj Kal and runs the Business PlusTV channel.

(Names of the reporters fired have been intentionally withheld. – Ed)

KEY POINTS:

• Four reporters fired from Daily Times in Islamabad.
• Layoffs attributed to financial difficulties.
• Staff salaries have been delayed for months.
• Two journalists had served for several years.
• Previous incidents of staff frustration reported.