ISLAMABAD: Hard-hitting journalist Matiullah Jan told JournalismPakistan.com on Friday night that it was untrue he had been fired by the DawnNews management and asked to clean out his office immediately. At the same time Mati hinted this status could change in a week’s time. Earlier, throughout Friday, reports of Mati being one of three big names to be sacked by DawnNews spread through the industry like wildfire. It had been reported that Mati, host of the controversial but hugely popular Aapna Gareban, had been shown the door along with Mubashir Zaidi, Editor DawnNews, and Azaz Syed. Strangely enough this information was confirmed by Dawn insiders as well as sources in other news channels, including Geo and ARY. REFERENCE: Mati not out of DawnNews just yet Steve Manuel JournalismPakistan.com May 26, 2012 http://journalismpakistan.com/news-detail.php?newsid=142
Apna Gareban "Forcibly Closed" Dawn News Censorship. (Courtesy BBC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4rXfpxFNps
صحافیوں کا’گریبان‘ پروگرام بند
آخری وقت اشاعت: جمعرات 30 جون 2011 , 16:34 GMT 21:34 PST
اپنے گریبان میں جھانکنا کتنا مشکل ہے، یہ بات مطیع اللہ جان اچھی طرح جان گئے ہیں۔ ڈان نیوز کے اینکر پرسن نے اس عنوان سے اپنا پروگرام شروع کیا تھا جس میں کسی اور کی نہیں بلکہ اپنے ہی طبقے یعنی صحافیوں کا احتساب کیا گیا۔ لیکن یہ پروگرام زیادہ دیر نہیں چل سکا اور بقول مطیع اللہ جان کے اس کے ایک پروگرام کی ریکارڈنگ جاری تھی کہ اسے بند کرنا پڑا۔ اسلام آباد سے آصف فاروقی کی رپورٹ:
It was said Mati was targeted because of his almost ‘missionary-like’ zeal to reveal the ‘truth’ about the media, politicians, and judiciary and of course, the military. Aapna Gareban is seen by many to have precipitated Mati’s downfall. In the program, which drew both extreme criticism and rave reviews, Mati exposed corrupt journalists. Mati has a reputation of being a straight talker and this trait has ruffled more than a few feathers in all four areas of interest. On the other hand, insiders at DawnNews say Mati was part of a ‘power lobby’ that did not sit well with the management and especially with the new Director News Zahid Mazhar. They say Mati, Mubashir and Azaz have been told their last working day was May 31st. REFERENCE: Mati not out of DawnNews just yet Steve Manuel JournalismPakistan.com May 26, 2012 http://journalismpakistan.com/news-detail.php?newsid=142
Asghar Khan Interview Dawn News 29 January 2012 (Part 01)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahuv0FSgfDk
Asghar Khan Interview Dawn News 29 January 2012 (Part 02)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p5xL4CuRuI
This could fit with Mati’s assertion that his status might not be the same in a ‘week’s time.’
While Mubashir has been reportedly running from pillar to post, meeting with the heads of news channels in a bid to land a job, Mati has put forward the idea for establishing a journalists’ emergency fund, a sorely needed respite for many media persons going through a difficult phase such as being jobless, especially at a time when most news channels and newspapers have been going through downsizing. While his proposal has largely been greeted enthusiastically and considered a meaningful and badly needed initiative, there exists a certain lobby bent on discrediting Mati and accusing him of attempting to make “a quick buck.” Those that know Mati say this accusation is the result of envy and vindictiveness. Mubashir, it has been learned tried to meet Dawn Editor Zafar Abbas to land a job, but was not successful. He is also said to have tried to approach Zafar Siddiqui, the owner of Samaa and CNBC but got the cold shoulder. Meanwhile, resignation letters have reportedly been prepared for Mati, Mubashir and Azaz, according to a source within DawnNews HR. The three have been given up till May 31st to resign. If they do not, termination letters will be issued. Industry watchers are waiting with bated breaths to see what happens. The buzz is that the trio will resign and that it is the only option open. REFERENCE: Mati not out of DawnNews just yet Steve Manuel JournalismPakistan.com May 26, 2012 http://journalismpakistan.com/news-detail.php?newsid=142
General (R) Mirza Aslam Beg Misbehaves & Attacks Journalist Azaz Syed (Dawn News)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsaN2LriLeU
ISLAMABAD, Jan 19 Unidentified people attacked the house of a reporter of DawnNews in the early hours of Tuesday and damaged property. The attackers did not cause any physical harm to Azaz Syed and his family, and left after hurling stones at the house and damaging his car. Mr Syed told Dawn that his younger brother woke him up at around 3am after sensing commotion outside their house in Alipur Town. In the meantime, the attackers started hurling stones. This lasted for a few minutes, terrorising the three members of the family and Mr Syed`s cousin. His father went out after the situation calmed down and found the main gate locked from outside. The windscreen of the car was smashed. Mr Syed said there were three attackers, of whom two hurled stones at the house and one stayed in a vehicle. Later, he contacted the Rescue 15 service, which sent Shahzad Town police to inquire about the incident. “I have no idea who the attackers were, but suspect that an intelligence agency was behind the incident,” he said. A complaint had been lodged with the SDPO of Rural Circle, he added. Journalists covering Senate and National Assembly proceedings walked out from both the houses of parliament in protest against the incident. Interior Minister Rehman Malik, PML-N MNA Sardar Ayaz Saddiq and ANP Senator Zahid Khan went to the press lounge and were briefed about the incident by journalists` representatives.
Mr Malik “apologised” to Mr Syed for the incident and promised that the culprits would be brought to book. He said he had asked the deputy inspector general (operation) to hold an inquiry and submit preliminary findings by the evening. The minister announced that he had suspended the official in charge of Rescue 15 for not reaching the place in time. He said the station house officer concerned would also face action if he had failed to respond promptly. Mr Syed said police had responded in time and the minister had been misguided. “I request the minister to reinstate the official.” A statement issued by DawnNews said unknown people had attacked the house of investigative reporter Azaz Syed. They locked both gates of the house, leaving the terrorised family inside. The windscreen of his car was also smashed. The attack happened a day after Mr Syed was threatened by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) sleuths over an investigative report he was preparing about the military. The DawnNews management said it would take up the matter with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minster Yousuf Raza Gilani, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar and ISPR Director-General Maj-Gen Athar Abbas as well as journalist unions and human rights organisations. The management urged the authorities to initiate a high-level inquiry. REFERENCE: DawnNews reporter`s house attacked By Our Staff Reporter http://archives.dawn.com/archives/41491
