Heavy criticism from the pundits of the sport and the media, that ensued after the interview was aired, was a clear-cut case of conflict of interest.
How can a sitting PCB chairman turn into an anchor/journalist and grill someone he has chosen himself to lead the team on a TV show? Was this a stunt to beguile the general public? What are the ethics involved? Is this not a conflict of interest?
Generally, cricket chiefs defend captains and teams in public and bash them behind closed doors in case of a failure.
It is not a secret that Misbah became the most wanted man by the media amid the ongoing slump of national team, and Sethi, perhaps, used his position to the maximum by asking the captain to appear in his show for an exclusive interview. This certainly reeks of undue favour and bias.
As per the norm in the cricket board, Sethi has defended his move. The PCB says that the interview was arranged to provide Misbah a platform to answer his critics. Unfortunately, the statement seems mere eyewash and an absolutely inadequate explanation. And why should the PCB defend a TV show?
At the same time, one is left wondering: Was Sethi’s show the only viable platform? Isn’t there even a single reputed cricket journalist in the country who could have conducted an unbiased interview?
It’s pertinent to mention here that at the time of Sethi’s interim appointment as PCB chairman, many experts had asked if he would keep donning his journalist hat. So far he is stuck to that.
PCB found itself in a similar situation a few years ago when the former captain Rameez Raja left a senior post in the board as he wanted to continue being a commentator.
Mr Sethi, our cricket is already facing tough challenges on several fronts and such unnecessary controversy is an insult added to injury. We hope that soon you will make a choice between the PCB chairmanship and playing an anchor on TV.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2013.
COMMENTS (7)
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Sethi sahab is the most competent person ever. He can manage two posts concurrently. Don't b jealous mr reporter
Two wrong does not make one right. Journalists taking tours r not right too. But u can't defend the chairman on this basis
I wonder, if any other Chairman PCB was ever asked to quit his profession or business because he is chairman PCB? chairman PCB is an honorary post, not a professional position or career oriented job. Why no one asked Tauqir Zia to step down as FAUJI GENERAL when he took over the position of chairman PCB? and when was "ethics" of these all so-called journalists were when they took money from PCB for touring with Cricket teams? which journalistic ethic allows journalist to take money from PCB for coverage purpose? I am sure the writer wouldn't want me to name otherwise "baat nikletygi tau durr talak jayegi". In the end, I would simply request "ethical journalists" to have a loo at "apna ghireban" before questioning others ethics.
Regards.
1st conflict of interest: Najam Sethi, the acting chairman PCB and PCB sold cricket broadcasting rights to Geo who happens to be the employer of Najam Sethi, the Journalist. 2nd conflict of interest: Najam Sethi the journalist who interviewed the captain Misbah selected as captain by the selection committee appointed by Najam Sthi, the acting chairman PCB.
He is an "acting chairman". There is no conflict of interest as per law. Your hurt feelings don't count as conflict of interest.
The first conflict on interest is his working as a journalist and also being chairman of PCB. He should either resign from PCB or only work as a journalist. I am not even going to discuss my personal objection to someone who was an interim CM and is now working in the new government at a prestigious post of PCB chairman?. Did he do some favours to get this job.....
Leaving everything aside the pathetic performance of the team requires removal of not only the captain and selectors by also the chairman who has so far failed to taken even on positive step since coming in as the chairman.
I fail to see what actually 'resulted' in this so called conflict of interest? The only area in which a conflict of interest can arise is if Najam Sethi actually forbids Misbah not to appear on any other channel as Captain of Pakistani cricket team apart from his own show.
What is all the fuss about?