Before we move further watch the video being discussed:
14 June 2012 was perhaps the most shocking
day for journalism and many anchors.The day when a few off cameras
videos leaked .The whole situation was an alarming one and disappointing
at the same time.The same media which was considered vibrant and a
source of awareness among masses came out to be a tool of manipulation
and misinformation. Nothing much was expected from Mubasher Lucman,
Musharaf’s tenure minister, as he had previously indulged into yellow
journalism and given signs of his affiliation with the third party. What
more disappointing was Mehar Bukhari who was ,until the video leaked,
thought as a powerful lady voicing to bring the truth through her
courage and bold questions. There was a rage on social media after the
video leakage and many comments hurled under the videos. The whole
essence of those comments can be summed up into few words; “We as a
nation are betrayed”. Perhaps yesterday events helped me understand the
meaning of an idiom “Money Talks”. It was clear that Mehar Bukhari and
Mubasher Lucman were few of those want to be intellectuals who seek
their questions from guests with obviously a bit cash under the table.
Another thing that was propagating from
the video leak was Maryam Nawaz’s SMS to Mehar Bukhari. It was a
saddening sight to see the “youth” plunging into this matter and
targeting the wrong person. Before elaborating the propaganda on social
media read the context of Maryam Nawaz’s text message to Mehar Bukhari;
“Hamza Shehbaz was offered a bullet proof car from Malik Riaz but refused to accept it and returned it to Malik Riaz with thanks”
We also hear Mehar Bukhari saying in the video;
“Maryam Nawaz has just texted me saying that Hamza didn’t receive any car and I can say that on the behalf of Sharifs.”
The above two quotes almost kill the ill propaganda directed
towards Maryam Nawaz. It’s clear that Maryam Nawaz didn’t text or call
Malik Riaz and neither asked Mehar Bukhari to make it say from Malik
Riaz. She clearly presented her family stance and clarified it from her
end which was seconded by Malik Riaz statement that the car was never
accepted by Hamza Shehbaz.It has been more than 24 hours since the
attack hurled by, mostly, PTI wallahs on Maryam Nawaz and I am still not
able to comprehend what is the lady being targeting. One possesses
every right to deny baseless allegations so why create such a fuss if
Maryam Nawaz did it? Perhaps the name Maryam “Nawaz Sharif” is what is
haunting the PTI social media kids.They shall criticize PML N any step
regardless of the fact its require or not. On the other hand Maryam
Nawaz’s response to bitter questions on her social media space is
appreciable and one must appreciate her courage to tackle not so
friendly, many were abusive, questions. Journalists like Raza Rumi and
Uamr Cheema also supported Maryam Nawaz’s position. Maryam Nawaz on the
whole issue states;
“I text Mehar denying the allegation and there’s nothing wrong in defending oneself. I did not ask Malik Riaz to clarify. Don’t know him”
The funny thing I came across is Shireen
Mazari’s daughter’s tweet criticizing Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shehbaz
indulging into dirty politics. When I responded to her tweet she was
left clueless and didn’t respond. Maybe she is from that group of kids
who want a revolution but a bit hustle scares them and they want others
to act.
Overall the day was a disappointing one
but a lot positive can be taken from it. For media defiantly a code of
conduct is required. Secondly for Maryam Nawaz ,or as I call her leader
on the rise Maryam Nawaz, well done and the later seems more tough but
you possess the qualities of tackling and moving forward. Lastly for me
it’s time to get ready to taste same abusive comments from PTI-wallahs
as I have criticized them.
Majid Tamoor
