Nadeem Malik's interview of Maryam Nawaz blocked
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 11 July 2019
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An interview of Maryam Nawaz by Nadeem Malik was blocked moments after it began on Hum TV. This incident highlights ongoing issues of media censorship in Pakistan.Summary
ISLAMABAD — An interview of Maryam Nawaz on Hum TV by Nadeem Malik was taken off air minutes after it began Thursday.
Malik said he had started his program when his producer told him to take a break. He informed him that the channel’s management had blocked the show.
“I am not fully aware of the developments, but there would be some pressure on the management. In the program we wanted to know more details about the leaked video,” Malik said in his show, a part of which was available on Twitter.
He said the interview could also be seen on YouTube.
The leaked video showed accountability court judge Arshad Malik reportedly telling a Nawaz Sharif aide he was blackmailed and pressured to convict the former prime minister.
Maryam told Malik Thursday that if the video were not authentic, her interview would never have been blocked.
On July 2, Hamid Mir’s interview of former President Asif Ali Zardari was taken off air shortly after its broadcast began on Geo Television.
Pakistani media continues to face censorship in various forms, which is getting severe. This week, three television channels — Abb Takk, Capital, and 24 News — were abruptly forced off the air. They were reportedly punished for their extensive coverage of a news conference by Maryam, and her political rally last Sunday.
— Nadeem Malik (@nadeemmalik) July 11, 2019
KEY POINTS:
- Interview of Maryam Nawaz on Hum TV was taken off air shortly after it started.
- Nadeem Malik stated that management ordered the interruption due to pressure.
- The show aimed to discuss a leaked video involving accountability court judge Arshad Malik.
- Maryam Nawaz argued the blocking of the interview indicated the video's authenticity.
- This incident follows other recent censorship events affecting multiple Pakistani television channels.
