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.
August 16, 2013: For five hours a single gunman holds Islamabad hostage, captivating television viewers with a bizarre and insulting confrontation. The media's sensationalist coverage of the standoff raises serious ethical concerns. Instead of responsibly reporting the incident, channels compete for ratings, broadcasting every moment live.
April 22, 2013: Following a Supreme Court order, a list of journalists benefiting from Pakistan's Information Ministry's secret fund under the PPP-led government from 2011 to 2012 is disclosed. The disclosure aims to probe government allocations and scrutinize media ethics. It highlights transparency issues and ethical lapses in media governance.
December 31, 2012: The year 2012 saw Pakistan's electronic media marred by scandals, from a disgraced televangelist's comeback to TV anchors embroiled in controversies and accusations of bribery, plagiarism, and unethical behavior. These incidents expose the deep-seated issues and lack of integrity within the media industry.
December 23, 2012: The Nation stirs controversy by publishing a front-page photograph deemed highly insensitive. It runs an image of Bashir Ahmed Bilour, a senior ANP leader and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister, struggling for life after being targeted by a Taliban suicide bomber in Peshawar. The graphic picture on Sunday's front page draws criticism for its lack of professional judgment.
August 11, 2012: Reports of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's plan to distribute cash among journalists cause divisions in Peshawar's journalistic community. The scheme, allegedly aimed at favoring certain journalists and avoiding negative press, is scrapped after PFUJ condemns it as a bribery attempt. Despite the cancellation, many journalists remain upset over their exclusion.
June 16, 2012: A scandal involving Dunya TV anchors Meher Bukhari and Mubashar Lucqman sends shockwaves through Pakistan's media landscape. Leaked footage exposes the duo's participation in a staged interview with property tycoon Malik Riaz, revealing a blatant disregard for journalistic integrity.
April 15, 2012: There's public outcry over the media's failure to properly cover the tragic burial of 138 Pakistan Army soldiers under an avalanche at Siachen Glacier. Initial shock turns to anger as national dailies bury the story and electronic media barely mention it, focusing instead on political scandals.