Our Hall of Shame features stories highlighting shameful incidents within Pakistani media. From newspaper blunders and TV channel missteps to acts involving journalists and talk show guests, we expose it all. You'll find instances of fake news and other notable media errors, both recent and historical.
It's up to you, the readers, to decide who the shameless characters, organizations, or individuals are in these instances. We continuously update this section to maintain a comprehensive archive of these regrettable moments.
February 26, 2025: An in-depth analysis of the Punjab Government's excessive self-promotion through media, costing taxpayers millions while masquerading propaganda as achievements.
February 25, 2025: The Punjab government faces criticism for spending millions in taxpayer money on misleading front-page advertisements across major Pakistani newspapers, raising serious questions about media integrity and public resource management.
January 23, 2025: An in-depth look at the recent scuffle on a Pakistani talk show, its implications for media ethics, and the urgent need for TV channels to uphold decorum during debates.
December 18, 2024: A critical examination of dangerous medical misinformation broadcast on Pakistan Television, exposing how political propaganda can potentially harm cancer patients by spreading false treatment narratives.
December 17, 2024: Geo News faces criticism after a homophobic tweet targeting Richard Grenell, a Trump advisor advocating for Imran Khan's release, which was subsequently deleted.
November 29, 2024: Suno TV faces criticism for targeting senior journalist Matiullah Jan with a smear campaign following his controversial abduction and arrest. This raises serious concerns about media ethics and press freedom in Pakistan.
August 17, 2024: A viral video exposes a shocking reality about Pakistani media, where fake news circulates unchecked. The clip, featuring a false report on the arrest of former IG of Jails, Shahid Saleem, highlights the pervasive issue of yellow journalism and raises questions about news credibility.
July 25, 2024: Dr. Omar Adil's sexist remarks against female journalists, including Gharidah Farooqi, have ignited widespread criticism, calling for full accountability and stronger actions against misogynistic language in the industry.
July 13, 2024: In a blatant display of media censorship, Suno TV blurred images of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on a scarf worn by PTI leader Zartaj Gul during a talk show. This incident adds to the growing list of censorship cases in Pakistani media, raising concerns about freedom of expression and media integrity.
July 11, 2024: The recent controversy in Punjab where actors and social media influencers were paid to praise the government's 100 days in office raises significant ethical concerns. Such paid promotions undermine the credibility of government achievements.
July 03, 2024: Journalist Umar Cheema retracts his criticism of a Samaa TV talk show, alleging the episode where public speaker Sahil Adeem and playwright Khalilur Rehman Qamar confronted a young woman was scripted and preplanned to boost ratings.
June 30, 2024: Journalist Umar Cheema condemns public speaker Sahil Adeem and playwright Khalil ur Rehman Qamar for their disrespectful behavior towards a woman on Samaa TV, sparking widespread public outrage and criticism of the TV channel’s administration.
October 10, 2023: After initially resisting, DawnNews TV airs an interview of missing PTI leader Sadaqat Ali Abbasi, sparking widespread condemnation and sadness. Senior journalists highlight ethical concerns over interviewing victims of enforced disappearances. The controversial airing raises serious questions about the integrity and freedom of journalism in Pakistan.
October 08, 2023: An awkward moment on A Sports talk show arises when a question about ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan goes unanswered. Host Fakhr-e-Alam reads the question without naming Khan, causing an uneasy silence from Wasim Akram, Moin Khan, Misbahul Haq, and Shoaib Malik. This incident underscores censorship issues in Pakistan.
August 15, 2023: Journalists criticize the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for excluding Imran Khan from its Independence Day video of cricketing legends. Imran Khan, who led Pakistan to its 1992 World Cup victory, was notably absent, sparking backlash from figures like Peter Osborne, Owais Tohid, and Moeed Pirzada.
July 09, 2023: Dunya News TV mutes prominent analyst Ayaz Amir's mention of the Vigo Pickup during the program Think Tank while ARY News faces criticism for blurring an image of Imran Khan during his meeting with an IMF representative. The incidents highlight the state of media censorship in Pakistan.
July 08, 2023: ARY News faces criticism and social media backlash for blurring the image of former Prime Minister Imran Khan during his meeting with an IMF representative. The controversial move sparks outrage and calls for boycott on Twitter, highlighting the debate around censorship and media ethics.
April 26, 2022: Several journalists share a fake letter from former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on social media, alleging he reprimanded an envoy for not arranging a call from the American president to then PM Imran Khan. The Foreign Ministry had previously confirmed the letter was fake.
March 18, 2022: Prime Minister Imran Khan's adviser Shahbaz Gill uses highly abusive language against parliamentarian Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani during a live show on Dunya News TV. Social media users criticize the anchor for not intervening, and female guests demand Gill be taken off the air.
February 03, 2022: A protest by journalists over alleged rigging in the National Press Club elections turns into a violent scuffle, with journalists attacking each other. Social media videos show the chaos, as NPC members and panelists share conflicting accounts of the incident.