JournalismPakistan.com | Published October 23, 2012 | Z B Saigol
Join our WhatsApp channel
KARACHI: I gave up on Pakistan's media and what they stand for long ago. Frankly their unprofessional attitude and lack of ethics sickens me. Therefore, it was with whopping degree of skepticism that I considered JournalismPakistan.com when it was first referred to me by a former colleague, a decent sort of chap who for a short while worked at CNBC and whom I shall refer to as MS.
"It is not your run of the mill website on media," he had said, "It's run by Stephen Manuel and Imran Naeem Ahmad."
"Who the hell are they?" I asked.
MS was miffed if not downright offended.
"Okay, I'll have a look at it," I said and promptly forgot.
I met the fellow a year later and one of the first questions he asked me was, "So what is your opinion of JP?"
"Is that HP's younger brother or older?" I asked in my typical style.
"Saigol Sahib," he said frustrated, "Aaap to kissi aur ko thora sa bhi credit dainay kay leeyay teyar hi nahi." He flipped open his laptop and had the website open in a moment. "Have a look," he pleaded. I capitulated reluctantly.
A few minutes became half an hour. I looked up and saw MS had an "I told you so" smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Don't look so smug," I said vindictively, "It has a couple of mistakes in it."
He came over. "Here...." I pointed out where two words had not been separated, "and here..." I said indicating where the word 'their' had been spelled as 'there'.
"It is human to err..." he said philosophically and then kept quiet.
I waited a moment before I said: "Okay it's the best media website I have come across... period. I don't mean just in Pakistan, but anywhere. I'm impressed… Who are these guys? They are doing a good job."
MS smiled happily. "Steve used to be my boss in CNBC," he said, "Real journalist... and Imran is his friend and colleague, a career journalist based in Islamabad. Both are senior journalists with international experience.
"I like what they are doing. They seem to have it covered entirely....the gamut of the journalism scene. Features, breaking news, information, services... so who funds them?"
"Self-financed," MS said.
"That means passion is the engine making the machine run here," I murmured and he nodded. "Is there any way you can introduce me to them?" MS nodded again.
It's been over a year now since I have been writing for JournalismPakistan.com and I can tell you I have enjoyed being a contributor. Both Steve and Imran have informed me that I go overboard sometimes, but that's just me. I have been told my stories or observations always evict criticism. But that's me again, I guess. I'm still to meet Imran and I'll do that when I go to Islamabad or when he comes here. With Steve it’s mostly Facebook. But I know both of them well or I think I do.
I wish Steve, Imran and JournalismPakistan.com the very best on the third birthday of the website. May you have many more.
And JP...thanks for providing me an avenue where I can really vent my frustration and say what I want to. Media in Pakistan would be poorer without you. Thanks.
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.