UK journalist Sami Hamdi released from US immigration detention after visa revocation Serbian Journalists’ Association condemns attacks and threats against reporters Journalist murders in Europe: 32 unsolved cases undermine media freedom Press freedom and AI: Indian media at a crossroads ahead of National Press Day Pakistani media in turmoil as job cuts, censorship, and silence from unions deepen crisis Libya’s culture of impunity for crimes against journalists deepens as watchdogs demand justice Philippines court clears journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio in civil forfeiture case Veteran journalist Javed Iqbal Jaidi bids farewell after long health battle Myanmar’s media crackdown deepens as UN, rights groups sound alarm Russia slams Pakistan’s Frontier Post for ‘Western bias’; newspaper hits back
Journalism Pakistan
Journalism Pakistan

PFUJ condemns layoffs at Geo, Neo and Nai Baat

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 7 years ago |  JP Staff Report

Join our WhatsApp channel

PFUJ condemns layoffs at Geo, Neo and Nai Baat

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the retrenchment of Geo TV employees and accused the channel’s management of committing contempt of court.

Besides Geo, Nai Baat newspaper and Neo TV have also sacked more than 13 staff members.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan had ordered all media groups including Jang and Geo to pay salaries to their workers but instead of doing so, Geo management has started retrenching staffers.

This amounts to contempt as the court had ordered not to lay off any employee, a statement issued by PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Ayub Jan Sarhandi said.

The statement said that Geo has laid off at least four low-paid employees without citing any reason. “We do not accept these layoffs and will fight for the rights of these workers,” the statement said.

It said the matter would also be raised before the Supreme Court and all other relevant forums.

“ We call upon Jang and Geo management to immediately reinstate all the sacked employees and pay salaries to their workers without any further delay.”

Butt and Sarhandi also Neo TV and Nai Baat managers to desist from sacking their employees.

“We are also receiving reports from our colleagues in Nai Baat and Neo TV that the management of these two organizations has sacked their employees.

“ We call upon all the managers to desist from such illegal labor practices otherwise we will be holding protest demonstrations outside their offices,” the PFUJ statement said.

Read Next

Jehan Pakistan sacks reporters, newsroom staff in Islamabad

Jehan Pakistan sacks reporters, newsroom staff in Islamabad

 June 19, 2020: Urdu newspaper Jehan Pakistan has laid off four reporters and seven newsroom staff in Islamabad, shifting to an online-only format. The management has promised to settle all dues, including three months' wages, for the terminated employees.

ARY to slash staff salaries for three months

ARY to slash staff salaries for three months

 May 03, 2020: ARY Digital Network announces a three-month salary cut to cope with the financial crisis due to COVID-19, exempting staff earning up to Rs100,000. DawnNews Television also reduces salaries by 10 percent.

Pay cut at DawnNews

Pay cut at DawnNews

 May 01, 2020: DawnNews Television cuts staff salaries by 10 percent and halves fuel allowances amid ongoing financial challenges. This marks the third pay cut in a year, highlighting the severe impact on Pakistani journalists facing layoffs and delayed salaries since 2018.

150 employees sacked at ARY and Aaj News

150 employees sacked at ARY and Aaj News

 October 02, 2019: ARY News and Aaj News Television have terminated 150 employees as part of a downsizing strategy, drawing condemnation from the IFJ and PFUJ. This follows previous layoffs at Dunya News, highlighting growing concerns over job security and unpaid wages for journalists in Pakistan.

Dunya Media Group cuts more jobs

Dunya Media Group cuts more jobs

 October 01, 2019: Dunya Media Group has terminated over 80 employees from its Multan station, following similar layoffs in Lahore. The company plans to centralize operations with fewer staff. The move, which includes paying three months' salaries to laid-off employees, has faced condemnation from journalist unions and the IFJ.

Job cuts at Aaj News

Job cuts at Aaj News

 September 26, 2019: Aaj News Television has laid off about a dozen employees from its Lahore and Islamabad offices, including assignment editors, reporters, and camerapersons. The terminations were reportedly abrupt, with no prior notice and no payment for three months' salaries as required by contract.

Newsroom
UK journalist Sami Hamdi released from US immigration detention after visa revocation

UK journalist Sami Hamdi released from US immigration detention after visa revocation

 November 11, 2025 British journalist Sami Hamdi was released from US ICE detention after visa revocation, highlighting risks to cross-border journalism and press freedom.


Serbian Journalists’ Association condemns attacks and threats against reporters

Serbian Journalists’ Association condemns attacks and threats against reporters

 November 11, 2025 IJAS condemns rising attacks and threats against journalists in Serbia and calls for urgent investigations, police accountability, and stronger protection for media freedom.


Journalist murders in Europe: 32 unsolved cases undermine media freedom

Journalist murders in Europe: 32 unsolved cases undermine media freedom

 November 10, 2025 In Europe, 32 of 51 journalist killings remain unresolved, exposing a crisis of impunity and threatening media freedom across the continent.


Al Jazeera Media Institute opens 2025 Global Journalism Fellowship

Al Jazeera Media Institute opens 2025 Global Journalism Fellowship

 November 09, 2025 Apply now for the Al Jazeera Media Institute’s 2025 Fellowship, fully funded for journalists and researchers to advance global media innovation in Doha.


Press freedom and AI: Indian media at a crossroads ahead of National Press Day

Press freedom and AI: Indian media at a crossroads ahead of National Press Day

 November 09, 2025 Ahead of India’s National Press Day, experts urge the media to strengthen its role as democracy’s fourth pillar amid AI, social media, and freedom-of-expression challenges.