Lucqman fired as damaging video surfaces

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 14 June 2012

Senior anchor Mubashar Lucqman was reportedly fired after a video of behind-the-scenes discussions aired. The incident raises significant concerns over media integrity.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Senior anchor Mubashar Lucqman was Thursday reported to have been fired by Dunya TV following a devastating leak of behind the scene conversations during a special interview with property tycoon Malik Riaz. The video of Wednesday’s program Dunya Special which Lucqman co-hosted with Meher Bukhari first went up on YouTube followed by Facebook and other social media Thursday.

It created quite a rumble within the media fraternity leaving the role and ethics of television anchors open to question. Lucqman, who normally hosts the program Khari Baat, and Meher who conducts Cross Fire are shown talking to Riaz during intervals – conversation that clearly reveals the interview was a set-up. At one point Meher admits herself the interview was a planted one.

The names of Geo Television anchor Hamid Mir and Kashif Abbasi, spouse of Meher, also come up during the conversation. The leak which is a big blow to Dunya that was just surging ahead in viewership is said to be the handiwork of someone at the channel’s Lahore Centre where up-linking of live programs is done. The interview was conducted in Islamabad.

Riaz, of Bahria Town fame, is in the spotlight for making damaging accusations against the Supreme Court during a Press conference in Islamabad Tuesday. He also claims that Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, the son of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, allegedly accepted kickbacks and bribes worth over Rs 342.5 million (US$3.6 million).

Meanwhile, there were reports Thursday of a new list of journalists who have sought favors from Riaz, to have surfaced. Those who have seen the list say it is on a Bahria Town letterhead and has names of several prominent journalists. If true, it could spell big trouble for the favor-seeking journalists, who people allege point fingers at others but are actually corrupt themselves.