JournalismPakistan.com | Published June 14, 2012
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: Senior anchor Mubashar Lucqman was Thursday reported to have been fired by Dunya TV following a devastating leak of behind the scene conversations during a special interview with property tycoon Malik Riaz.
The video of Wednesday’s program Dunya Special which Lucqman co-hosted with Meher Bukhari first went up on YouTube followed by Facebook and other social media Thursday.
It created quite a rumble within the media fraternity leaving the role and ethics of television anchors open to question.
Lucqman, who normally hosts the program Khari Baat, and Meher who conducts Cross Fire are shown talking to Riaz during intervals – conversation that clearly reveals the interview was a set-up. At one point Meher admits herself the interview was a planted one.
The names of Geo Television anchor Hamid Mir and Kashif Abbasi, spouse of Meher, also come up during the conversation.
The leak which is a big blow to Dunya that was just surging ahead in viewership is said to be the handiwork of someone at the channel’s Lahore Centre where up-linking of live programs is done. The interview was conducted in Islamabad.
Riaz, of Bahria Town fame, is in the spotlight for making damaging accusations against the Supreme Court during a Press conference in Islamabad Tuesday. He also claims that Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, the son of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, allegedly accepted kickbacks and bribes worth over Rs 342.5 million (US$3.6 million).
Meanwhile, there were reports Thursday of a new list of journalists who have sought favors from Riaz, to have surfaced. Those who have seen the list say it is on a Bahria Town letterhead and has names of several prominent journalists.
If true, it could spell big trouble for the favor-seeking journalists, who people allege point fingers at others but are actually corrupt themselves.
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.