Cyril Almeida and Dr Shahid Masood School of Journalism

[pak-marine]

No, there are many credible people who criticize army. Constructive criticism should always be appreciated.

I am talking about those who do it by design and as a part of larger agenda to harm the national security. All those Hussain Haqqanis, Asma Jahangirs, Hamid Mirs etc etc...

You are accusing the oldest newspapers & most watched tv channel by pakistanis .. better off listing the credible ones

 

[maximuswarrior]

You are accusing the oldest newspapers & most watched tv channel by pakistanis .. better off listing the credible ones

We cannot accuse Dawn in its entirety, but like any other institution it contains bad apples. Dawn newspaper is no exception to this rule.

Cyril Almeida and Dawn have done a disservice to Pakistan by publishing such propaganda news. Especially at a time when we are facing a hostile enemy across the border. Even the Indian media has tried to use this moment to their advantage and that is very telling. There is no justification. There is a reason why Dawn is now suddenly in defensive mode. They know the damage they have caused and are trying to spin the story. Too little too late.

 

[coffee_cup]

You are accusing the oldest newspapers & most watched tv channel by pakistanis ..

So if I am rich enough to buy the "oldest newspaper" and "most watched tv channel" then systematically staff these with my people and use these to forward my agenda (which goes against national security of Pakistan), should we still call them "reliable", "independent" or "patriotic"?

 

[maximuswarrior]

So if I am rich enough to buy the "oldest newspaper" and "most watched tv channel" then systematically staff these with my people and use these to forward my agenda (which goes against national security of Pakistan), should we still call them "reliable", "independent" or "patriotic"?

The media in Pakistan is out of control. News channels and newspapers are popping up like mushrooms. There is no proper control or mechanism in place to control these media outlets. This is damaging for Pakistan.

 

[pak-marine]

We cannot accuse Dawn in its entirety, but like any other institution it contains bad apples. Dawn newspaper is no exception to this rule.

Cyril Almeida and Dawn have done a disservice to Pakistan by publishing such propaganda news. Especially at a time when we are facing a hostile enemy across the border. Even the Indian media has tried to use this moment to their advantage and that is very telling. There is no justification. There is a reason why Dawn is now suddenly in defensive mode. They know the damage they have caused and are trying to spin the story. Too little too late.

Dawn owned the story its Editor took responsibility here is what they have to say ::

Reaction to Dawn story
EDITORIAL — UPDATED A DAY AGO

THERE are times in a news organisation’s history that determine its adherence to the highest principles of journalism — its duty to inform the public objectively, accurately and fearlessly.

This paper recently reported an extraordinary closed-door meeting between top government and intelligence officials where the foreign secretary briefed them on what he saw as Pakistan’s growing international isolation; following this, there was a discussion on the impediments in the way of dealing with the problem of militancy in the country.

The fallout of the story has been intense, and on Tuesday evening, the government placed Dawn’s senior writer, Cyril Almeida, on the Exit Control List.

While any media organisation can commit an error of judgement and Dawn is no exception, the paper believes it handled the story in a professional manner and carried it only after verification from multiple sources.

Moreover, in accordance with the principles of fair and balanced journalism, for which Dawn is respected not only in Pakistan but also internationally, it twice carried the denials issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Journalism has a long and glorious tradition of keeping its promise to its audience even in the face of enormous pressure brought to bear upon it from the corridors of power. Time has proved this to be the correct stance. Some of the most contentious yet historically significant stories have been told by news organisations while resisting the state’s narrow, self-serving and ever-shifting definition of ‘national interest’.

One could include in this list, among others, the Pentagon Papers detailing US government duplicity in its conduct of the Vietnam War; the Abu Ghraib pictures that exposed torture of prisoners at the hands of US soldiers in Iraq; the WikiLeaks release in 2010 of US State Department diplomatic communications; and Edward Snowden’s disclosure of the National Security Agency’s global surveillance system.

Even more so in Pakistan, where decades of a militarised security environment have undermined the importance of holding the state to account — something that certain sections of the media have become complicit in despite their long, hard-won struggle for freedom — such a furore as generated by the Dawn report was not unexpected.

However, this news organisation will continue to defend itself robustly against any allegation of vested interest, false reporting or violation of national security.

As gatekeeper of information that was “verified, cross-checked and fact-checked”, the editor of this paper bears sole responsibility for the story in question. The government should at once remove Mr Almeida’s name from the ECL and salvage some of its dignity.

Published in Dawn October 12th, 2016

 

[coffee_cup]

The media in Pakistan is out of control. News channels and newspapers are popping up like mushrooms. There is no proper control or mechanism in place to control these media outlets. This is damaging for Pakistan.

Definitely.

Pakistan must learn from the West, that Freedom of Press comes with responsibility.

That is why Western countries have monitoring bodies and any media (News channels, newspaper, Internet forums) who work against national interests or tries to "re-write facts" about WWII, or promotes terrorism gets shut down very fast or fined heavily.

 

[maximuswarrior]

Definitely.

Pakistan must learn from the West, that Freedom of Press comes with responsibility.

That is why Western countries have monitoring bodies and any media (News channels, newspaper, Internet forums) who work against national interests or tries to "re-write facts" about WWII, or promotes terrorism gets shut down very fast or fined heavily.

Exactly. Pakistan doesn't have such bodies. We are in dire need of a nonpartisan body that can regulate the media, but you can be rest assured that many Western countries will be opposed to such bodies in developing countries. They will label it as censorship.

 

[coffee_cup]

Exactly. Pakistan doesn't have such bodies. We are in dire need of a partisan body that can regulate the media, but you can be rest assured that many Western countries will be opposed to such bodies in developing countries. They will label it as censorship.

PEMRA is one such institution.

But sadly like many other national institutions, it has also been stuffed with incompetent, corrupt, politically appointed people.

It will only ban, fine or even shutdown those channels which raise questions about the mega corrupt families such as Sharif and co.

 

[maximuswarrior]

PEMRA is one such institution.

But sadly like many other national institutions, it has also been stuffed with incompetent, corrupt, politically appointed people.

It will only ban, fine or even shutdown those channels which raise questions about the mega corrupt families such as Sharif and co.

Unfortunately true.

Dawn owned the story its Editor took responsibility here is what they have to say ::

Reaction to Dawn story
EDITORIAL — UPDATED A DAY AGO

THERE are times in a news organisation’s history that determine its adherence to the highest principles of journalism — its duty to inform the public objectively, accurately and fearlessly.

This paper recently reported an extraordinary closed-door meeting between top government and intelligence officials where the foreign secretary briefed them on what he saw as Pakistan’s growing international isolation; following this, there was a discussion on the impediments in the way of dealing with the problem of militancy in the country.

The fallout of the story has been intense, and on Tuesday evening, the government placed Dawn’s senior writer, Cyril Almeida, on the Exit Control List.

While any media organisation can commit an error of judgement and Dawn is no exception, the paper believes it handled the story in a professional manner and carried it only after verification from multiple sources.

Moreover, in accordance with the principles of fair and balanced journalism, for which Dawn is respected not only in Pakistan but also internationally, it twice carried the denials issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Journalism has a long and glorious tradition of keeping its promise to its audience even in the face of enormous pressure brought to bear upon it from the corridors of power. Time has proved this to be the correct stance. Some of the most contentious yet historically significant stories have been told by news organisations while resisting the state’s narrow, self-serving and ever-shifting definition of ‘national interest’.

One could include in this list, among others, the Pentagon Papers detailing US government duplicity in its conduct of the Vietnam War; the Abu Ghraib pictures that exposed torture of prisoners at the hands of US soldiers in Iraq; the WikiLeaks release in 2010 of US State Department diplomatic communications; and Edward Snowden’s disclosure of the National Security Agency’s global surveillance system.

Even more so in Pakistan, where decades of a militarised security environment have undermined the importance of holding the state to account — something that certain sections of the media have become complicit in despite their long, hard-won struggle for freedom — such a furore as generated by the Dawn report was not unexpected.

However, this news organisation will continue to defend itself robustly against any allegation of vested interest, false reporting or violation of national security.

As gatekeeper of information that was “verified, cross-checked and fact-checked”, the editor of this paper bears sole responsibility for the story in question. The government should at once remove Mr Almeida’s name from the ECL and salvage some of its dignity.

Published in Dawn October 12th, 2016

They shouldn't have published the story. Whether it is true or false is difficult to assess and even beside the point. More importantly, the damage it has caused is irreparable. Like I said, the enemy has also made full use of the opportunity to malign the government and the Pak army. Is this what we want in Pakistan? Because if we do we should continue to publish such malignant stories in our newspapers.

"This paper recently reported an extraordinary closed-door meeting between top government and intelligence officials where the foreign secretary briefed them..."

A newspaper has the responsibility to act in a responsible manner. Dawn clearly hasn't acted responsibly by leaking high-level information. The purportedly meeting was held behind closed doors for a reason. It should not be always about ratings and chest-thumping. How about putting the interests of the nation on top? This is irresponsible news reporting.

 

[!eon]

You are accusing the oldest newspapers

Oldest Pakistani newspaper at the moment is Nawaiwaqt

 

[Moonlight]

JAb mein nay compare kiya to logoan nay objection ki @pak-marine @The Sandman @django @Moonlight

Hahahaha aap ke koi Nahi sunta. Afsoos.

 

[Zibago]

Hahahaha aap ke koi Nahi sunta. Afsoos.

Bhai ki danishwari ki qadar hi koi nahi @The Eagle @The Sandman @django

 

[Moonlight]

Bhai ki danishwari ki qadar hi koi nahi @The Eagle @The Sandman @django

Khair wase to Arif hameed bhatti bhi danishwar hai.

Hassan nisar the best. :p

 

[war&peace]

To get the true picture of the journalism and anti-state narrative, don't forget to plugin a few of the ministers from federal cabinet ... P. Rasheed for example...

It is fashionable in Pakistan to abuse state and especially army and leading the pack are Nakam Sethi (PMLn)...The more you write against it the more the dollars.

 

[maximuswarrior]

To get the true picture of the journalism and anti-state narrative, don't forget to plugin a few of the ministers from federal cabinet ... P. Rasheed for example...

It is fashionable in Pakistan to abuse state and especially army and leading the pack are Nakam Sethi (PMLn)...The more you write against it the more the dollars.

I'm not an army apologist and will confront them when they are wrong. However, these so-called elite politicians and media moguls have no right of speaking. The reason why Pakistan has suffered is also their doing. Their blame games and lectures fall on deaf ears today. It is hypocritical on their part to lecture others about good and bad when they have never set a good example.