Let BOL speak: Journalists protest against 'seth media'

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 21 May 2015

Working journalists in Islamabad rallied in support of BOL Media Group, condemning alleged mistreatment from competing media. The action, led by Azmat Malik, emphasized the need for fair competition and a call for government intervention.
Summary

ISLAMABAD: Working journalists representing different media groups underlined their support for BOL Media Group Thursday and protested against ‘seth media’ in front of National Press Club.

The protest was organized by senior journalist Azmat Malik, known among young journalists as “voice of truth and campaigner for free media.”

The participants carried placards and banners inscribed with different slogans like “Bol k lab azad hain tere,” and “Bol ko bolne do.”

Senior journalists and anchorpersons Asad Kharral and Asma Shirazi also took part in the protest to express solidarity with those associated with BOL Media Group.

Malik said the protest was organized after seeing the treatment being meted out to upcoming BOL News Television, by different media groups on fabricated charges and allegations.

“BOL Media Group is offering lucrative salaries and perks to working journalists and other media groups should try to compete with them instead of resorting to leg-pulling,” he said.

Federal Board of Revenue and Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan have already probed all assets and sources of income of BOL Media Group before granting them license for the television channel, said Kharral.

“Seth media should not indulge in mud-slinging on basis of a fabricated story published by The New York Times against Axact software company and BOL,” he said, urging journalists to stand by BOL in this difficult hour.

The participants also urged the government to conduct a fair probe into the alleged fake degrees scandal but avoid obstructing operations of BOL.