JournalismPakistan.com | Published May 26, 2012 | Steve Manuel
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: Hard-hitting journalist and TV talk show host Matiullah Jan told JournalismPakistan.com Saturday that the Dawn News management had informed him that his time was up at the news channel.
Less than 24 hours earlier, Mati had denied he had been fired, saying it was untrue and that he had not been asked to clean out his office immediately. Mati had hinted at the time his status could change in a week’s time.
And…now it has.
Earlier on Friday, reports of Mati being one of three big names to be sacked by Dawn News spread through the industry like wildfire. It had been reported that Mati, host of the controversial but hugely popular Aapna Gareban, had been shown the door along with Mubashir Zaidi, Editor North Dawn News, and Azaz Syed.
Strangely enough this information was confirmed by Dawn insiders as well as sources in other news channels, including Geo and ARY.
Sources are now telling us that Mati and his crew as well as Mubashir Zaidi and Azaz Syed will now be replaced by personnel from Samaa which has been bleeding staff to Dunya as well.
Mati is said to have been targeted because of his almost ‘missionary-like’ zeal to reveal the ‘truth’ about the media, politicians, and judiciary and of course, the military. Aapna Gareban is seen by many to have precipitated Mati’s downfall. In the program, which drew both extreme criticism and rave reviews, Mati exposed corrupt journalists.
Mati has a reputation of being a straight talker and this trait has ruffled more than a few feathers in all four areas of interest.
On the other hand, insiders at Dawn News say Mati was part of a ‘power lobby’ that did not sit well with the management and especially with the new Editor Zahid Mazhar.
While Mubashir has been reportedly running from pillar to post, meeting with the heads of news channels in a bid to land a job, Mati has put forward the idea for establishing a journalists’ emergency fund, a sorely needed respite for many media persons going through a difficult phase such as being jobless, especially at a time when most news channels and newspapers have been going through downsizing.
While his proposal has largely been greeted enthusiastically and considered a meaningful and badly-needed initiative, there exists a certain lobby bent on discrediting Mati and accusing him of attempting to make “a quick buck.” Those that know Mati say this accusation is the result of envy and vindictiveness.
Mubashir, it has been learned tried to meet Dawn Editor Zafar Abbas to land a job, but was not successful. He is also said to have tried to approach Zafar Siddiqui, the owner of Samaa and CNBC but got the cold shoulder.
Meanwhile, resignation letters have reportedly been prepared for Mati, Mubashir and Azaz, according to a source within Dawn News HR. The three have been given up till May 31st to resign. If they do not, termination letters will be issued.
Industry watchers are waiting with bated breaths to see what happens. The buzz is that the trio will resign and that it is the only option open.
January 13, 2025: An analysis of Absar Alam's controversial criticism of successful Pakistani YouTubers in exile, examining the intersection of journalism, digital media success, and political persecution, while questioning the credibility of criticism from a former PEMRA chief whose own appointment was declared illegal.
January 13, 2025: Prominent journalist Asma Shirazi faces relentless online harassment in a coordinated campaign involving gendered disinformation. Press freedom groups demand immediate action to protect female journalists in Pakistan.
January 10, 2025: The FIA Cyber Wing is investigating a social media campaign involving AI-manipulated images of Maryam Nawaz and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. Teams are working to trace the content's origins and identify those involved.
January 05, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com welcomes renowned cricket historian and broadcaster Dr. Nauman Niaz as sports editor, bringing his extensive experience in cricket journalism, broadcasting, and scholarly work to strengthen the platform's sports coverage.
January 01, 2025: Trump envoy Richard Grenell's sudden week-long silence on Pakistan and Imran Khan raises questions after fierce Twitter battles with journalists and politicians. From explosive exchanges to mysterious quiet - what's behind the digital retreat?
December 31, 2024: Year-end report by Pakistan Press Foundation reveals severe challenges to press freedom in Pakistan, highlighting violence against journalists, internet shutdowns, and restrictive policies in 2024.
December 30, 2024: Remembering Arshad A. Zuberi, the deputy chief executive of Business Recorder Group, who passed away on Sunday after a protracted illness, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in journalism.
December 29, 2024: Veteran journalist Nusrat Javeed has accused PTI of operating a bot in Richard Grenell’s name, fueling a Twitter controversy amid the Trump aide’s vocal support for Imran Khan.
January 12, 2025 Explore an in-depth analysis of Pakistan cricket's decline in Test matches, examining systemic failures, cultural challenges, and the urgent need for modernization. From mismanagement of talents like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi to resistance against technological advancement, this comprehensive piece investigates how a cricket powerhouse finds itself at a critical crossroads between tradition and progress.
January 09, 2025 Shan Masood's magnificent 145 and a record-breaking opening stand with Babar Azam highlighted Pakistan's valiant fight against South Africa in Cape Town. Despite their resilience, Pakistan fell short, reflecting on deeper cricketing issues.
January 05, 2025 An in-depth analysis of Virat Kohli's recent struggles in Test cricket, examining his technical changes, statistical decline since 2021, and the broader implications for his legacy as one of cricket's greatest batsmen. The article explores whether this is a temporary setback or signals the twilight of an extraordinary career.
January 05, 2025 Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post cartoonist Ann Telnaes resigns after her cartoon depicting media moguls, including Post owner Jeff Bezos, kneeling before Donald Trump was rejected, sparking debate about editorial independence and press freedom.
January 03, 2025 Explore the poignant narrative of cricket's fallen captains, focusing on Rohit Sharma's Test career crisis and its parallels with legendary leaders Kim Hughes, Ian Botham, and Steve Waugh. A deep dive into cricket's most tragic leadership endings.