Pakistani media is increasingly getting better at being the story than covering one. On September 9 there was only one story: Altaf Hussain's media conference in London that started a little after 7.30 pm PST and ended just in time for Bolta Pakistan, starring Nusrat Javed and Mushtaq Minhas.
The programme didn't last beyond the first commercial break, and shortly after that internet was buzzing with talk of Nusrat Javed getting the sack for taunting Altaf Hussain. It was not a rumour though: Nusrat himself announced it on Capital Talk. However, that same night and all day the next day, Aaj News continued announcing to its viewers: 'The management strongly refutes the impression created in the media that senior anchor person Nusrat Javed has been terminated (farigh in Urdu) or that his termination is being considered. He is still an important member of this organization'. End of the story?
Not this. On Monday 12th September journalists walked out of both Houses of Parliament in protest against 'sacking' of Nusrat Javed. When they were given the usual pep talk by the concerned ministers, a majority of journalists wanted to get back to work but others continued demanding immediate action. The two groups exchanged hot words and ended in a 'scuffle' as reported by daily Dawn. The agitators then took to the street where the local press club leaders had a chance to deliver speeches and everyone had an opportunity to pose with Imran Khan - the rebel always searching for a cause, and in his desperation often getting the wrong end of the stick. Was he duped again? For that matter did the protesting journalists have a cause?
Let's see: After Bolta Pakistan was discontinued on 'technical grounds', Nusrat Javed called up Mohammed Malick, Geo's resident editor who was a guest on Capital Talk, and told him that MQM had his programme taken off air and he had 'resigned' in protest. The host Hamid Mir took him on phone line and this time Nusrat said he had been 'sacked'. He also accused MQM of threatening the life of 600 staff members if the programme continued. However, he did not attribute this information to any one.
Later, he told his friends and colleagues what sounds like truth: During the break the management of Aaj asked him to stop clowning and get on with his job. He refused and walked out in a huff. The man who professes journalism to be his only passion in life, broke the first rule of journalism by publicly misstating facts about his own story, and by not apologising or explaining his position to his viewers later. As for the protesting journalists, they were simply following the tribal code of protecting one of their own. Though in this case without ascertaining if the person really needed protection.
Freedom of expression is not a blanket allowance for dumping verbal trash in public. What Nusrat Javed indulged in, all through the 18 or so minutes of his programme was his personal opinion of Altaf Hussain, rather than an analysis of his speech. He was visibly and uncontrollably angry at the epithet of bay-ghairat Altaf Hussain had used for Nawaz League but Nusrat Javed in his peculiar state chose to apply on Punjabis in general and Punjabi anchor persons in particular. He responded to this 'personal insult' by narrating his family tree to prove he was a son of Punjab's soil, directly addressing and challenging the MQM leader and mimicking his song and dance routine so consistently, the unnerved co-host Mushtaq Minhas had to plead the producer to go for a break (watch the last few seconds of the clip below). The only time he seemed at ease was when ANP leader Zahid Khan joined on phone line and called Altaf Hussain a 'mad man' and his speech 'bakwaas' - the derogatory terms a decent host like Nusrat Javed does not allow on his show in normal circumstances.
Nusrat Javed resumed his show starting Tuesday 13th September and its been business as usual ever since. He forgot to follow up on his criminal allegations against MQM. He conveniently chose not to inform his viewers if he was really sacked, and on what terms was he re-hired. All that remains of this sorry episode is occasional swear words for MQM, and adulatory remarks in favour of Nusrat Javed for standing up against it, in the countless discussions on internet. Is that the kind of viewership a senior, serious and passionate journalist wants to appeal to?
i am also a journalist . i thinks every anchorperson feels that he is the custodian of all pakistan,s interests.he is a scared person only he is the fourth pillar of the state. he has right to bite and bark every person.his critics are the enemy of freedom expressions and the rivals of freedom of journalism
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