JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 31, 2024 at 09:04 pm | JP Staff Report
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ISLAMABAD—In response to legal action taken by prominent television anchor Gharidah Farooqi, vlogger Zohaib Saleem Butt has issued a public apology for publishing sexist content.
Butt's apology comes after Farooqi's legal notice accusing him of disseminating derogatory and sexist content that damaged her reputation and that of women journalists.
Butt, who previously made harmful comments on his YouTube channel, has publicly acknowledged the negative impact of his vlog. In his apology, he admitted that his content was defamatory and contributed to tech-facilitated gender-based violence, which can escalate into offline violence against women journalists. The apology was posted on Butt's YouTube channel and other social media platforms, where he also pledged to avoid producing similar content in the future.
Farooqi welcomed the apology but remained cautious. She emphasized that her actions are part of a broader effort to protect women in media from harassment and discrimination.
Last week Farooqi announced her decision to pursue legal action against Zohaib Butt and Dr. Omar Adil who made sexist remarks against female journalists, including Gharidah Farooqi, igniting widespread criticism from the media community and women's rights groups.
Farooqi had labeled them as “disgraceful men” involved in crimes against women. She had demanded apologies and corrective actions, warning that failure to comply could result in imprisonment and the shutdown of their digital businesses.
Farooqi’s stance reflects a significant move towards addressing gender-based harassment in the Pakistani media industry. Her actions underline the need for accountability and respect for women journalists, reinforcing the message that harmful behavior will not be tolerated.
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