JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 31, 2017
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD – Journalist Kamal Siddiqi (pictured) said Monday Pakistani journalism students now had their own example of Watergate Scandal in the shape of Panama Papers that led to the unseating of the prime minister.
“I am happy to now say that we don’t have to rely on Watergate as an example….but that we have our own example in the form of the Panama Papers and how our prime minister was unseated,” Siddiqi wrote in his column titled Media misdemeanors in The Express Tribune.
The Watergate Scandal in the 1970s saw the most powerful man in the world resign as a result of investigative journalism conducted by a crack investigative team of the Washington Post.
Siddiqi, a former editor at The Express Tribune and currently the director of the Center for Excellence in Journalism, praised the excellent role played by a group of dedicated journalists that exposed the financial transactions and wealth of world leaders including that of the Sharif family.
He wrote that much of the Panama Papers coverage was done correctly by the Pakistani media. “This is because the judiciary is very clear on ensuring that it is not misreported and its proceedings are accurately chronicled. Possibly one of the most careful reporters in the field are court reporters.”
But Siddiqi lamented that the media could not help itself when it came to reporting from outside the courtroom. “The manner in which it not only reported speculations and rumours but also misquoted and misreported on important parts of the case leaves a lot to be desired.”
He commented that the manner in which the media reported the events left many wondering what the media’s role really is. “We are taught in journalism that we are bystanders, not participants. But in the present scenario, we seem to be everything but bystanders. We are in the thick of things – giving opinions and issuing edicts. More to blame is the broadcast media….there were talk shows in which participants even suggested going against the judiciary’s verdict,” he wrote.
He called on the Pakistani media to examine its role in such situations, especially now that “we are heading towards a general election in the coming year and we need to set up some code of ethics that can be enforced by all concerned.”
Siddiqi said that political reporters may need to be as disciplined as court reporters. “We cannot allow vested interests to dictate the agenda. Much of what is being misreported comes as a result of certain powers trying to manage the media. The rest comes from the lack of experience and competence on part of the reporters themselves.”
Image courtesy: YouTube
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
April 28, 2025: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and individual journalists, following the deadly Pahalgam attack. Tensions escalate as Islamabad demands a neutral probe.
April 23, 2025: Pakistani journalists respond in unison to a post hinting at a possible Indian military strike. Citing the 2019 ‘Swift Retort,’ they warn of a stronger response if provoked again.
April 21, 2025: After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.
April 21, 2025: Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.
April 20, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
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.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.