FIA
expands their investigation process regarding fake degree scandal. Interior
Minister also sought the help of FIA and Interpol to unearth the fake degree
fiasco; he also said that “Once the media go after anybody only God can help
the poor, no matter how innocent he is”. And this is an admitted fact in our
society. I’ve seen a lot of ups and downs although I am in this line since not
a very long time but what I’ve experienced now during this episode is totally unexpected
and hard to believe. My first employer was GEO. I’ve learnt a lot during my two
and a half years tenure and it’s my privilege to work with so many people who
have contributed a lot to make GEO a successful organization and media house.
All the people who were associated with analysis department were so kind enough
to help me in my professional duties. In order to fulfill my journalistic
duties I owe to every single person whether he is a producer or the person who
assigns me a particular job and also the valiant cameramen whose devotion made
me tough enough to overcome at times very demanding circumstances. I should admit that my
cameramen polished my career to all kinds of tough situation and made me journalist
which I am today. They were my strength and my guide. When I just enter this
field and on of my first story was to go on a very dangerous area. In that
story my cameraman helped me in covering that story. They gave me a lot of
confidence and technical details which eventually proved very helpful.
The
other incident that comes to my mind when the PTI was protesting and doing
Dharna (Sit in protest) in every big city against election rigging. There was a
big Dharna in Shahrah e faisal where workers of the Tehreek e insaaf attacked
GEO journalists, at that time we took refuge on top of our DSNG van, my
cameraman, my engineer, my producer also my driver we were all together
standing on the roof of the van and the angry workers were shouting, throwing
can and bottles to us and used abusive language for me and my family, at that
point of time I understood the true value of teamwork even my family was not
worried about my well being they were satisfied that I was around good people
who can protect me. That confidence and satisfaction which my family had, was
given to them by my team and specially my cameraman who was there to save me in
those critical moments. Then also a particular political party and the Army
were active together against GEO. And when GEO questioned the Army all the
media were on the other side and we were alone. We were on the field working
even when our transmission was suspended, people used to shout seeing the DSNG
van with GEO logo on it. I was repeatedly threatened to leave the channel but I
felt my obligation towards my colleagues in this time of crisis. And then the
time came when BOL arrived at the scene and a lot of big names shifted. These
were undoubtedly very reputed names of the media industry in Pakistan. There
were many reasons why these persons associated themselves with BOL. The biggest
reason was that they wanted to speak openly without any hesitation. Secondly
they felt that journalist was deprived of their due rights by the owners of
media corporations. For years people in the media industry were working in the
same pay scale without any raise or increment. The long wait for salaries was
adversely affecting the lives of workers and the owners had nothing to do with
it. Whenever asked for a raise the standard reply was that company is running
in loss and we are not even able to pay salaries on time. But when the genuine
worker sees that the famous anchors are getting all the perks and privileges
and new anchors are hired at exorbitant salaries and the top people around
bosses are having parties, he gets disillusioned and confused about it all and
wonders about when his own life is going to change? So when BOL promised timely
salaries and better working environment, journalist got attracted. Everyone has
a right to better life and prosperous future for their family. If the boss
wants to have a lavish lifestyle with all the privileges for his family then
it’s only natural that the ordinary employee also aspires to move his family
from a rented apartment to a self owned house. To have his children educated
from a reputed school or college here if not abroad. Obviously he cannot even
think of having dollar accounts elsewhere but would most certainly want enough
amounts in his bank to help him when he gets old. Journalists working on the
field are like the soldiers of our country who despite unfavorable conditions
perform for their duties with dedication. Some more learned and intellectual
minds would argue here that the soldier gets paid for his duty but somebody
should ask them that when they are sitting in there cool cozy offices and
asking the cameramen at the site of a bomb blast to get in close and get unique
and exclusive footage, one that will increase their channels ratings that, is
it even possible for you to think of being there at the site themselves? No you
can’t. You are one of those executives who gets his salaries raised every other
month without even asking and the more increment you get the more work you
demand from the junior employees. The families of the employees do not ask
anything from them but only expect the monthly salary in time so that the
utility bills, the school fees or house rent can be paid. In this scenario
these people had no choice but to merge themselves with a new organization. I
hear from many people how they were part of the founding team and had emotional
attachment with the organization but had no choice but to leave for the sake of
their families and nobody cared or even bothered to stop them doing so.
Now
at the time of crisis some reputed and well established names have left BOL. Is
their decision right or wrong? Although they are financially stable and thus
independent in their decisions, they have termed it “Voice of their conscience”
they didn’t even bothered to think about those who have followed them here. But
they are gone so we should accept the reality as it is. Some might think that I
may also leave but I feel obliged towards my colleagues who have remained with
me through thick and thin and now it’s my duty to return the favor.
All
the media has come together to try and turn the Axact fake degree scandal into
BOL’s defeat. Actually this is a war between the owners / bosses of media
houses and the ordinary journalist who dared to think about his future,
demanded self respect and tried to get out of the “Yes man circle” and do
something creative for a change. By creating this situation they want to tell
us “Better stay in your limits”
Now
we don’t need your tweets, status updates or philosophies. We will fight this
war till the last moment.
