JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 25, 2020
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—Iqbal Khattak (pictured), Executive Director Freedom Network (FN), has questioned the new chairperson of state-run Pakistan Television Naeem Bokhari, who hinted at blacking out the opposition.
Responding to a reporter's question if the opposition would get equal coverage on PTV, Bokhari remarked, "Not at all; PTV will represent only the government's stance."
Khattak reminded Bokhari in a tweet that PTV was not a personal property of any government. It should be the voice of all Pakistanis instead of being "your master's voice only."
Why @GovtofPakistan is charging me #Rs_35 a month for @PTVNewsOfficial if it is to remain govt's spokesperson, Mr Bukhari? #PTV is not a personal property of any govt. It should be the voice of all #Pakistanis instead your master's only.https://t.co/XG4sgx38LL
— Iqbal Khattak (@khattak63) November 25, 2020
He also said that if PTV were to remain the government's mouthpiece, then why the PTV charged him Rs35 monthly fee.
The fee, raised from Rs35 to Rs100 in April this year, is charged to the consumers through the electricity bills.
In a separate tweet, Freedom Network said it was taken aback by reported remarks of the new PTV boss. "Media must be free to report freely and factually."
The federal government appointed Bokhari as the chairperson and independent director of the PTVC board at the start of the week.
Photo: Twitter.com
@pressfreedompk is taken aback by reported remarks of new @PTVNewsOfficial boss saying the public broadcaster would deny opposition parties any airtime for their criticism of @GovtofPakistan #media must be free to report freely and factually. https://t.co/vaDXOzwEKz
— Freedom Network (@pressfreedompk) November 25, 2020
January 17, 2025: In an unprecedented breach of judicial protocol, Pakistani journalists accurately revealed Imran Khan's 14-year sentence in the Al-Qadir case on social media 24 hours before the official verdict, raising serious questions about court independence
January 17, 2025: Geo News faces backlash for insensitive coverage of Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing, airing Bollywood song clips before announcing the tragic news
January 17, 2025: An in-depth analysis of ARY News' false reporting on Imran Khan's verdict and the broader crisis of unverified news in Pakistani electronic media, exploring solutions for responsible journalism.
January 16, 2025: The FIA has registered cases against five individuals, including journalist Imran Riaz Khan and PTI leader Shahbaz Gill, for sharing defamatory AI-generated content targeting the UAE President and Punjab Chief Minister. How does this reflect on Pakistan-UAE relations and the misuse of AI?
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 20, 2025 Pakistan at the Crossroads of Glory and Expectation! As hosts and defending champions of the ICC Champions Trophy, the team stands poised for greatness. Can they turn the weight of national hope into victory? Read our in-depth analysis!
January 18, 2025 A CPJ report reveals that 361 journalists were jailed globally in 2024, with China, Israel, and Myanmar leading. The alarming trend highlights threats to press freedom and rising authoritarian repression worldwide.
January 16, 2025 Explore the evolution of the ICC Champions Trophy and cricket’s commercialization journey, from a gentleman’s game to a global enterprise. Discover how the ICC balanced tradition with revenue generation.
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.