JournalismPakistan.com | Published June 11, 2021 | Cherie Conela
Join our WhatsApp channelISLAMABAD—Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab, has once again become the talk of the town after a recent viral video showed her slapping PPP MNA Qadir Mandokhel during the recording of the TV talk show.
Social media users from across the country are either defending her or speaking out in favor Mandokhel.
In such a situation, questions regarding journalistic ethics and the role of regulator PEMRA have also become part of the debate. The first question is, to what extent is it ethical to release footage of an off-the-record incident?
Since the currently viral video clip on social media did not appear in any satellite transmission, it is not fair to criticize PEMRA. We must understand that it is not the PEMRA's responsibility to keep an eye on what happened during a break in a TV set or recording of a TV show.
PEMRA can only regulate the media content that is transmitted in Pakistan via satellite or cable. Therefore, the issue of the current viral video clip does not fall under its scope.
However, the release of this clip is still a question mark. The incident did not happen at any public place but behind closed doors within the premises of a bona fide media organization—Express News. Therefore, it is also a question of journalistic ethics, integrity, and moral values because the big responsibility lies with the TV management, the anchor, and staff.
Did the participants allow filming during a break in the program Kal Tak? If we examine both guests’ body language and conversation, it seems they have no idea that the video was being recorded.
The role of anchor Javed Chaudhry, standing there helplessly, is also open to question. "I don't know how the footage came out," he said, while commenting on Dunya News. He said the video wasn't leaked from Express News, but one of the individuals who came with the two guests recorded it and shared it on social media.
Chaudhry made no effort to cool down frayed tempers. Thus, the situation does not fit any principles of journalism in the world. First, the incident and then the footage that came out anonymously are, no doubt, condemnable acts.
Although the Express News management is not accepting responsibility for the leakage, sharing the controversial video clip on the official social media accounts of the TV channel prompts more questions about the channel’s suspected involvement for the sake of program ratings.
Dr. Firdous has now served a legal notice on Mandokhail. It is expected that the PPP legislator will also respond in the same tune. However, both parties are ignoring the fact that there is a dire need for a fair and transparent investigation. It is also a matter of the TV channel’s reputation. If the channel management does not identify the culprits, politicians, analysts, and others would avoid coming to the news studio to participate in talk shows.
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.