Electronic media ethics

E-Paper | June 12, 2026

TRUTH was not the only casualty the day that Shahid Masood aired his since-debunked claims regarding the Zainab rape-murder case on his TV programme.

Already stretched judicial and law-enforcement resources were diverted to investigate his allegations, which were so sensational and politicised that they detracted from and threatened to diminish the very real horror of this case.

That the Supreme Court took notice of this instance of fake news and sanctioned the person responsible for spreading it might be viewed as a positive development — but it should not have come to this.

Editorial: Yellow journalism

At its best, the electronic media exposes the excesses of power. But as a potent force itself, particularly in defining public opinion, it must practise the same commitments and hold its own to account.

Mr Masood is certainly not the first TV anchor to have broadcast misinformation on air. Nor will he be the last, unless the independence and effectiveness of Pemra is guaranteed, and our media houses work collectively to develop and maintain a code of conduct for news coverage.

Read: Fake news in Pakistan

Granted, in a 24-hour news cycle, split-second decisions often need to be made that might not always be the best in hindsight. But such failures go unchecked (or are even tacitly encouraged) when the authority of a media house’s own news and current affairs director is circumvented to cater to ratings, personal agendas or special interests.

Their autonomy and strength within organisations must be ensured.

Moreover, an industry-wide committee of such directors must be constituted to build consensus on a range of ethical issues, and to adopt checks and balances accordingly.

Adherence to a time-lag for terrorism-related coverage is one example of the maturity Pakistan’s electronic media displays when it works together. But the industry has a duty to serve the public’s interests better.

This paper stands with our broadcast journalist peers in defending press freedoms, but in the course of doing so, we must acknowledge the enormous responsibility we have to command those rights fairly and honestly.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2018

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Newspaper

Shahid Masood has not apologised; action to be taken against him according to the law: SC

Zainab case suspect’s ties with porn ring to be investigated

Zainab case suspect's DNA suggests Kasur police killed 'innocent' man in another child's murder

Muneer

Mar 22, 2018 08:09am

Pure truth is also dead in Pakistan print media.

Recommend 0

omar

Mar 22, 2018 10:00am

media should have severe repercussions for spreading fake and unsubstantiated news, because of its potency severe checks are needed.

Recommend 0

Ahmed bin Babar

Mar 22, 2018 10:08am

This kind of yellow journalism must be contained in this or even harder ways...

Recommend 0

Shah Iqbaal

Mar 22, 2018 10:19am

This so-called journalsit should have punished more severily for spreading such frivolous remarks on a liveTelevision programme.

Recommend 0

Humanitarian APPROACH

Mar 22, 2018 10:20am

Credibility of Dr Masood affected. There was no plausible reason to add false stories to such a sad incident.

Recommend 0

Tariq

Mar 22, 2018 10:23am

I think SC wanted to make Shahid Masood case a lesson for media that whatever they present on channels should be authentic and worthy of credible law process. Mere gossips like claims must be discouraged.

Recommend 0

asad

Mar 22, 2018 10:53am

Shahid Masood is the master of Fake news developer, leniency in his case is debatable.

Recommend 0

Asif Suhail

Mar 22, 2018 11:14am

Will Apex Court apprise the nation that what did it do with the names of two federal ministers Mr. Shahid Masood had submitted in his own handwriting who according to him were facilitators or patrons of the accused?

Recommend 0

SHAHID SATTAR

Mar 22, 2018 11:30am

The ratings are the only criteria that matters for some. They go to any lengths to achieve that target, not realizing that they are causing havoc in a vulnerable society which is subject to being shaken on and off all the time.

Recommend 0

Faisal

Mar 22, 2018 12:20pm

Media and especially TV anchors have become a source of uncontrollable public niucanse and there powers needs to be cut and programs censored. The only thing they do is highlight each and negative aspect of the country and magnify it 100 times. Rarely and I repeat rarely do we see any positivies coming out of the various news channels. This has effected the pshyce of the nations as a whole which has become negative and have nothing positive to look forward to.

Recommend 0

Dr. Rizwan

Mar 22, 2018 02:08pm

In this age of information warfare, it is paramount that strict penalities should be in place if someone tries to misuse media to spread such disinformation. Media should be held accountable and freedom of media is should not be at the cost of fake news.

Recommend 0

Haroon

Mar 22, 2018 03:56pm

There are lot of other TV personalities like Masood who sometimes call themselves as political analysts. All the spew is totally fabricated stories. They are either malicious or deluded having lost the plot. Luckily most people know their true colour.

Recommend 0

Akhan

Mar 22, 2018 04:28pm

This really shows the cracks in the moral and ethical foundation. Most influencel or almost all influencel people have lied or used deseptive means to gain personal gains..and that is the truth. Who do you believe!

Recommend 0

Awais Baloch

Mar 22, 2018 04:36pm

I think it is good that SC has taken notice of such false sensation spread by the media. When all institutes will know how to remain within their mandate then we can progress collectively. Media is using the sensation to create hazardous impact in the country for its benefits. Now the news channels are the biggest entertainment channels in Pakistan. I believe our nation loves to hear the problems of others unless such issues grab them. I would request media to promote the positive news to inculcate the positivity and optimism in the nation. It will help to release the stress we are hoarding on our shoulders.

Recommend 0

Barkat Ally

Mar 22, 2018 06:08pm

Sure freedom of press is essential but fake news and sensationalism should never be tolerated.

Recommend 0

ali

Mar 22, 2018 06:39pm

When is SC court bring GEO and Mir Shakeel ur Rehman on dock. Just because they are powerful they can get away. If we want real justice then SC has to fair. There should be no double standard.

Recommend 0

Secularist

Mar 23, 2018 02:05am

I teach business ethics at an American university and often the tension between the right to free speech and responsible reporting addressed. The choice between the self-policing and external regulations is debated. Often my discussion with the doyens of the Fourth Estate reveals that the media wants very other Estates to be made subject to external review and regulation while claiming that it can self-police itself. I have found that argument rather specious and self-serving.

Recommend 0

Zulfiqar

Mar 23, 2018 08:04pm

@Tariq so why didn’t they make an example I’m this case? The punishment doesn’t fit the crime. The judgment is too lenient and I don’t think will deter anyone in the future to spread fake news.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.