Journalism's new low: Nusrat Javeed resorts to dance and mockery
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 25 December 2024 | JP Staff Report
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ISLAMABAD—In an extraordinary display that has set social media ablaze, veteran Pakistani journalist Nusrat Javeed transformed his prime-time news show into an unexpected spectacle, complete with Punjabi outbursts and impromptu dancing, highlighting the increasingly bizarre turn in Pakistan's media landscape.
During his program "Khabar Nashar" on Public News, Javeed abandoned conventional broadcasting norms, switching to Punjabi to deliver a heated response to PTI leader Shahbaz Gill. "Oye Shahbaz Gill," he declared, recounting his four-year television ban following Imran Khan's rise to power. "I survived then, and now that you're in America, what can you do? In the end, you had to run away."
The seasoned journalist's unusual performance reached its peak when he broke into a seated dance, singing "karnail nei, gernail ne... (and now)... grenell ne, grenell ne," seemingly mocking the involvement of Richard Grenell, Donald Trump's special envoy, in Pakistani politics.
The incident was sparked by Gill's earlier tweet condemning both Geo TV's controversial post about Grenell's sexual orientation and Javeed's alleged comments about Tulsi Gabbard, an American politician, having "fallen in love" with Imran Khan. The situation escalated when journalists began tagging Grenell in posts featuring Javeed's performance, with one noting, "Richard, our senior journalist has gone mad in your obsession."
This bizarre episode reflects the growing tensions in Pakistan's media sphere, particularly surrounding Richard Grenell's vocal support for imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The incident has transformed from a serious political discourse into what many call a media circus, with Javeed's performance becoming a symbol of the increasingly theatrical nature of Pakistani political commentary.
Social media reactions have been swift and polarized, with some viewing Javeed's behavior as unprofessional while others see it as a bold statement against political pressure. The video continues to circulate widely, adding another layer to the already complex narrative of media freedom and political expression in Pakistan.
As clips of the incident continue to spread across social platforms, the episode raises serious questions about the state of broadcast journalism in Pakistan and the increasingly blurred lines between news presentation and political theater. Whether Javeed's performance marks a new low in professional journalism or a creative form of protest remains a matter of heated debate among media observers and the public alike.
