Judge lets Waqt News and Matiullah Jan off the hook

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 22 February 2018 |  JP Staff Report

The Islamabad High Court has dismissed contempt charges against Waqt News and journalist Matiullah Jan. The decision followed their unconditional apologies for a controversial broadcast.

Summary

ISLAMABAD–Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the Islamabad High Court has formally dropped contempt of court proceedings against veteran journalist Matiullah Jan and the management of Waqt News, following unconditional apologies and an undertaking from the parties involved.

The contempt case stemmed from an episode of the current affairs program Apna Apna Gareban, aired on February 5, which discussed the alleged illegal occupation of a football ground in Islamabad's Sector F-8 by members of the legal community. During the broadcast, the name of Justice Siddiqui was mentioned in a context the court deemed inappropriate and unverified.

Justice Siddiqui had initially taken strong exception to his name being linked without proper verification, calling it an act of irresponsible journalism. However, during a hearing on Wednesday, he stated that he was dropping the matter “by showing grace and kindness.”

Waqt News CEO Rameeza Majid Nizami and Islamabad Bureau Chief Sardar Hameed appeared before the court and submitted an unconditional apology. Journalist Matiullah Jan also tendered a written undertaking expressing regret for airing information that had not been independently verified. He assured the court of greater caution in his future broadcasts.

KEY POINTS:

• Contempt proceedings dropped by Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui.
• Apologies submitted by Waqt News management and Matiullah Jan.
• Controversy arose from a program discussing illegal occupation of a football ground.
• Justice Siddiqui criticized the initial broadcast for irresponsible journalism.
• Future broadcasts will ensure greater verification of information.