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Journalism in Pakistan is a politically polarised affair
Once upon a time in a land not so far away, Pakistani journalist Ms. Shiffa Yousafzai filed an application with the Cybercrime Wing of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan against digital journalist Mr. Asad Toor for harassment and intimidation of a working woman on his YouTube channel. This occurred on 30 March this year.
Before this story continues, we must introduce our readership to the main characters at play: Toor has worked not as a journalist or correspondent involved with research and writing, but in technical positions as a programme producer for Pakistani media houses and has only recently emerged as a political activist with the rise of social media. His defining mark of journalism usually fails to differentiate between “public office holders” and “common citizens” between “fact”, “rumour”, and “opinion”, and between “ideas” and the “natural persons” who may espouse those ideas.
Instead of attacking ideas, he is known for the personal attacks he makes against the men and women in media who advocate ideas he disagrees with. One could conclude that in this digital age, this is done with the intention to attract attention and win followers. Most have ignored Toor’s attacks through his YouTube channel, because it is a widely held perception that Pakistani laws on defamation and harassment are weak, slow, and miserably ineffective, and defamation suits seldom have decisive outcomes. Despite this, he has successfully been sued in the past by renowned Pakistani journalist Rauf Klasra for defamation and character assassination.
With reference to his dealing with Yousafzai, what transpired was as follows: He questioned Yousafzai’s background and integrity, called her “unprofessional”, and attacked the journalist based on her gender by questioning why her TV network management gives value to anchorpersons with “beautiful faces” who lack the requisite knowledge needed on current affairs. Toor’s personal attack and harsh tone against a female journalist garnered the attention and condemnation of several prominent journalists in Pakistan.
After a month of Yousafzai’s filing against Toor, he received a notice to appear in front of the FIA, but instead of appearing to explain his position, he approached the High Court of the country on the grand plea that “the state of Pakistan is after him”. Prominent Pakistani anchorperson Dr. Moeed Pirzada commented that Toor and his lawyers understood how difficult it would be to defend his conduct and therefore intended to play his case to the larger gallery of “journalist vs. state”.
Fast forward to the present-day scenario, and currently unfolding story, Toor was reportedly attacked in his apartment in Islamabad on 25 May, as attackers broke into his house and physically assaulted him. His initial and immediate response was to record his statement on several video clips which went viral on social media, where he can be seen stating that the attackers “introduced” themselves as being members of the ISI (Inter Services Intelligence Agency of Pakistan), and then proceeded to assault him because of his views about the State. Toor was allegedly questioned on the sources of his income and “funding”, and was forced to shout out slogans praising Pakistan, its military, and the ISI, as well as denouncing Pakistan’s eastern neighbour India, northwestern neighbour Afghanistan, and Israel. Here is where the plot thickens: Initial reports stated that Toor was in bad shape when brought to hospital, with several of his colleagues on social media praying for his “critical” condition. Others with their keen sense of observation noted that his injuries seemed to change from the first day, second day, and third day of him being photographed by the press; they only seemed to increase along his arms.
The story of allegations and blaming seemed to pale in comparison to the shine and shimmer which came as a result of visits by high-ranking Opposition leaders of the country to Toor’s residence, to show solidarity with his “ordeal”. This has caused many in Pakistan to question this sudden surge in political opportunism, and whether there is a more sinister agenda at play.
In Pakistan, it is more often than not that you see “journalists” openly siding with political parties, and furthering politically biased narratives on their talk shows and through their writing. It almost seems as though some believe it is a right of passage to align yourself with a “side”; have we then lost what it means to report what is true without it being coloured by opinion? Sri Lanka is no stranger to this feeling that certain media houses and publications seem to feel safer when they align with certain sides; do we then compromise our journalistic integrity or simply safe-guard interests and safety?
With regard to Toor and the case at hand, many on Twitter are asking what happened to the allegations he was facing about harassment. Where did the importance of the safety of journalists disappear when a woman’s character assassination was conveniently forgotten and ignored in the blink of an eye, as soon as the Opposition parties in the country found something far more convenient to latch onto?
The “deep state” (a euphemism used to refer to Pakistan’s military and state establishments) is being blamed repeatedly by Toor and his associates for the attack upon him. Several have questioned why the attackers would reveal their identity so casually and also how this story is spinning out of control to paint Toor as a victim and defender of journalistic freedom, while conveniently erasing all mention of his less-than-savoury track record of behaviour, and a severe lack of credible journalistic credentials.
It has not seemed to bother most who are siding with him that there is not the slightest shred of evidence, logic, or context to his allegations. Most people in Pakistan had not even heard of him before this controversy was made to go viral. How is it, then, that someone who was plucked from obscurity a few days ago had annoyed the “all-powerful” agencies of a country to this extent, when his reach was also so limited? Something most definitely does not add up.
Unfortunately, this incident has further consolidated the view that one can get away with any irresponsible act if he plays the “journalist vs. state” card. And that if you play it intelligently enough you receive international recognition and your 15 minutes of fame at the expense of spreading chaos across a country.
Credible and seasoned journalists work very hard to bring forward the truth. And in this region, what constitutes as “true” often comes at a cost and at the expense of the lives of those disseminating that information. One should never trivialise the challenges faced by journalists, with South Asia being an especially dangerous place for them to work in – Pakistan and Sri Lanka included. However, when people use movements such as the “freedom of speech” and “journalistic freedom” to further political biases and agendas, we lose all semblance of “truth”. Any ethical journalist in the world does not let their political biases colour their work; unfortunately, in the age of digital media, having taken a life of its own, we must be careful to differentiate between wolves in journalists’ clothing – they do not, and should not, speak for our cause.
(The writer is a lawyer, teacher, and political commentator of Pakistani origin, based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She can be found on Twitter at @writergirl_11)