A policeman shows the media a bullet hole in the door of a car which belongs to journalist Hamid Mir, at a local hospital in Karachi April 19, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
Senior journalists, columnists and anchorpersons have expressed concern over the ‘organised campaign’ against the security agencies by a section of the media in the name of the attack on Geo TV anchor Hamid Mir, saying this is a clear violation of journalistic values and code of conduct.
“The attack should be investigated but the adventurism we are seeing should have been avoided and responsibility should have been shown,” said columnist Ayaz Amir.
Another columnist, Talat Hussain, said the allegations by Geo TV are akin to a charge sheet, wherein ISI chief Lt Gen Zaheer-ul-Islam has been blamed. “He [Lt Gen Zaheer-ul-Islam] has been charge-sheeted and the focus is on this one point, ignoring the other aspects,” Talat said.
He added that the television channel and Mir’s colleagues seem to have registered an FIR and issued a judgement in the case. “This is against journalistic rules and, in my opinion, unfair to Hamid Mir himself,” he added.
Express News anchor Shazeb Khanzada said that accusations were leveled against the security agencies as Mir’s brother was very vocal about his emotions at the time of the attack. “We are journalists and our job is to bring the truth forth and struggle for the rule of law and the Constitution,” Khanzada said. “We are not supposed to fight against the federal and state organisations. Unfortunately, yesterday an atmosphere was created to press the DG ISI to resign and I think this resignation should not have been demanded at all,” he added. Khanzada claimed “Indian channels took full advantage of the situation”.
Senior columnist and journalist Haroon Rashid said that Geo TV seems determined to ‘defame the army’ and criticised the television channel’s decision to air photographs of the ISI chief while leveling accusations against him of involvement in the attack on Mir.
“There is something called patriotism [which should be taken into account]. Love of the country is part of one’s faith but Geo people do not care for the country. Do they want to turn Pakistan into an Indian state?” Rashid said.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2014.
COMMENTS (31)
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The behavior of Geo and Jung Group was unprofessional, but at the same time we can't close our eyes on Army or ISI. The fact is that both the organizations, whether its media or Army have failed miserably in their jobs. What was the Army doing during that whole OBL episode? Shouldn't the top Generals have stepped down after that abysmal event? Government as a middle man has failed too, that sums up the story of Pakistan as a whole. Media houses do not let go any opportunity to defame each other, Army considers themselves as sacred and unaccountable whereas the government has no authority on any of them because their job is complete their tenure.
I am still unable to figure out the word patriotism?? a institution work is to work for the people, not to become roller and role, why we always connect patriotism whit one particular institute??? a common man is not patriotic, you and I are not patriot???? please for God sake think about the country neither a tome jack or Jerry!! We have to changed our mind set, warna Aglay 65 sal bad be hummari behas yahi rahe gii! "K Muhabey Watan Aakhir KON, TUM YA HUM!!!! I Love my country more than my life!!!
Either Geo has to prove ISI's involvement in Hamid Mir's murder or close Geo channel because ISI can never even think about it the doing is so so so far and impossible.We are proud of ISI and army.Army and ISI long live.......
Who killed Salim Shehzad?? What happened to inquiry report??
everybody is sad about indian channels taking advantage of situation but noone cares for hamid mir...fellow pakistani shot by isi.....this is called patriotism... god bless pakis :P
Its very painful for me that Hamid himself pointed out our esteemed intelligence agency for his suspected attacked well before yesterday. Now for me its more than duty of the 'accused' to curb the real 'culprits' so that Hamid Mir & Geo Group appologise on all this maligning episode.
Attack on Hamid Mir is condemned, but the way he and GEO's team is trying to malign Pakistan's Army and ISI in this regard without any judicial inquiry into the case, seems quiet doubtful. More than 70 percent of GEO shares are held by Indians; this clearly explains why the content of all GEO channels is so pro-India and always propagating an anti-Pakistani agenda. It's high time we should understand how the media like GEO is manipulating people's mind into creating a negative image of Pakistan. We will not let such negative propaganda backed by Indians to disturb our nation's rest. Mr. Mir, get well soon and but try to speak reasonable too. My question still remains how could you predict even before the attack that ISI or Army would be behind it?
Cheap shot by The Express Tribune. Shameful!
Love of country is part of one's faith? Is it Mr Rashid ?The country is made up of countrymen and countrywomen is it not ? Then if we are all such faithful people why are there enough of us that are willing to sell our brothers and sisters for rupees ,dollars , pounds or any other currency? The entirely justified accusation is that the Pakistan army ,the intelligence agencies and state organisations unfortunately are NOT serving the ordinary people of Pakistan but operate as private entities concerned with the interests of a select elite. This has been going on for FAR TOO LONG. They are being used only to keep power and privilege in the hands of those individuals who are holding the country to ransom. If their actions are challenged then they will unleash terror and victimise those who are trying to expose the truth and provide evidence. It is at times like these that the media should be not pandering to these corrupt bodies in fear that they will be targeted next but show courage and collectively take a firm stand against bullying and oppression. Otherwise who will be the voice of the people?
Defaming of national institutions in the name of freedom of speech and journalism should be brought under scrutiny by Media regulating authorities!
Interesting how the other media houses are bending over backwards to appease the army after Geo fell out with the armed forces.
The only journalist who interviewed Bin Laden and a war-time reporter - couldn't do it without agencies' assistance - it looks like an internal falling-out between the partners.
It seems to me that some secret programe is operational in Pakistan in the name of Democracy and Justice to defame and malign Pakistan Army to create a rift in this institution and thus demoralized them. What is astonishing for me is the league of people like lawyers, Judges and the politicians along with some Journalists like Hamid Mir, Ansar Abbasi, Absar Alam, Najam Sethi (belonging to the Punjab region) and others belonging particularly to the Jang News Group have colluded and schemed to fulfill this agenda in the name of Democracy (which has truly proved to us as the "Best revenge" of the looters and plunderers with the general public) and the unseen justice. After the lawyer movement for the so called Free Judiciary which was funded and orchestrated by the very groups mentioned above, this conspiracy has gained momentum, in the garb of Terrorism, Taliban and tackling daily crisis (i.e food, flood, power) and has taken its height against the trial of Former President by the very handpicked and selected Judges. If all these are being done for the benefit of common people than let us know and let us see these benefits trickling down to us. But unfortunately nothing is coming down to us except miseries of daily life from one sun rise to next sun rise. I want to see whether the FREE Judges, Judiciary and the Government will initiate article 6 against all those mentioned above or will remain a partner to those who helped each other in every spectrum.
Note: It seems ET by not publishing my comments endorses those who are working against this country
How can a powerful institution like ISI harm someone physically if they do not agree with him? Dont they have other means to counter it? I agree, what Hamid Mir was doing is not journalism but is there only one solution for his unprofessional behaviour? To react with equally unprofessional behaviour. If our primier agency is involved in it than it shows limited thinking to handle issues on their part. I pray full and speedy recovery for Mr. Hamid Mir. Ameen. I also wish that the culprits are caught and allegation of jang group are proved wrong and they are heavyly fined for their unsubstantiated allegations.
In my opinion GEO TV should be suspended before investigations are completed. This TV channel violated code of conduct and aired un patriotic reports without any proofs. This channel helped enemies of Pakistan by leveling false allegations. I have never heard any news agencies of any country defaming it's own intelligence agencies. Shame on GEO.
Geo channel be immediately banned pending investigations in its conduct.
It is high time for GEO to prove its allegations or shut time - it did what Indian could not do. I am beginning to wonder this channel is playing on whose cards.
All drama, what goes round comes round.
ISI is claimed to be the "best" intelligence agency in the world. If they didn't do it, then they should apprehend the culprits. If they can't then they are incompetent.
Pak army is conterversiol. They made pak a security state. Not sure why lots of senior journalists hide this fact behind the face of patriotism. Where they could have made it a welfere Country and still can do it.
I find it strange the Tribune would be focusing on Geo reporting rather than Hamid Mir's attempted assassination.
If victim has a solid proof, then he has every right to name the culprit no matter if he or she is a President, Prime Minister or a General. Now, its up to Hamid Mir to present proof or get punishment for maligning innocent persons. No criminal should be allowed to take refuge under sanctity of any institution.
Apparently Geo is following money over nation, it received millions of USD on different programs originated from outside Pakistan so clearly Geo is following a different shade of green.
Falling over each other to prove to the adjudicators of patriotism who is an asset for future adventurism.
What I saw on TV yesterday by GEO is unprecedented and very shameful indeed. This cannot happen in any other country of the world. You cannot do this under the cover of freedom of expressing even in USA or any country for that matter. I am sure government will not take any action but its about time for the institution to act in their own defense. Credit to Express and ary for standing up to this bullying.
Journalist are maligning geo, as jang group has maligned others( individuals, groups and minorities)in the name of patriotism and religion for last 60 years.
Geo Should Be Banned and all of there groups ASAP