JournalismPakistan.com | Published September 20, 2015
Join our WhatsApp channel
KARACHI: An international auditor has concluded that "there was undeniable evidence of a significant increase in viewership" of Express News Television that allegedly manipulated ratings.
"All household members began watching exact same minutes per week to the Express channels. This cannot happen without clear instructions on how the household should be watching the Express channels," Dawn quoted third-party international auditor Robert Ruud of Robert Ruud Analysetjenester as saying.
"The auditor cannot find a logical explanation for this viewing pattern except outside influence of the households."
The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) that met Saturday has granted Sultan Lakhani, Chief Executive Officer of Express Media Group 10 days to submit his reply on the alleged manipulation of viewership ratings.
PBA, taking notice of Lakhani's absence from their meeting, also extended for ten days the temporary suspension of Express Group's membership from its panel.
On September 8, Salman Danish, Chief Executive Officer Medialogic Pakistan (a television ratings company) had alleged at a press conference the Express Media Group was involved in malpractices to increase its television ratings.
On the other hand The Express Group said that Medialogic Pakistan demanded Rs450 million from the Express News Television's management and claimed it had evidences against the media group.
The paper said that Danish, chose his company’s employee Shaista and asked her to testify that Express News had pressured households to tune into the channel — an attempt that resulted in an increase in its overall ratings.
When Shaista refused to become a part of the malicious campaign, Danish, in collusion with police lodged a fake FIR against her, according to the paper.
Earlier, on September 9, the PBA suspended Express Group's membership temporarily.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.