JournalismPakistan.com | Published August 27, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channelISLAMABAD - Shaheen Sehbai, former Group Editor of The News said on Monday that the Pakistani media has always been with one ‘helicopter group’ or the other.
The group he refers to is a pool of favorite journalists that successive governments have pampered, paying for their airfares, hotels, etc. each time the prime minister or the president travels abroad, or locally.
Sehbai, speaking in the program Live with Dr Shahid Masood on NewsOne Television, named senior Jang journalist Saleh Zaafir (pictured), as an icon in this regard. He said there were countless others. They are paid cash for such trips and are expected to heap praise on the government of the day, he said.
He then disclosed that there was another ‘sophisticated group’ that included such journalists as Najam Sethi, Imtiaz Alam, Syed Talat Hussain, and Maleeha Lodhi.
He mentioned that Imtiaz Alam used to get compensated by the previous government after his car got stolen every year.
He said that such people use the media. “The latest example is of Najam Sethi. Where did he come from? He came from the media but then went on to become the caretaker chief minister, became the chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board and launched Pakistan Super League.”
He said this ‘sophisticated group’ does bigger things than the ‘helicopter group’.
Sehbai thought that the new Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry may not be able to tackle and control the ‘crocodiles’ of the media.
Photo: Twitter (@SalehZfr)
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.