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This talk show tussle proves TV interviews can be more civil than they are

This talk show tussle proves TV interviews can be more civil than they are

Personal attacks like PTI rep Shahbaz Gill questioning Asma Shirazi's integrity are far too common on live TV
Updated 06 Feb, 2019

Journalist Asma Shirazi and PTI Media Representative Dr Shahbaz Gill were recently invited to Nasim Zehra's Channel 24 talk show to speak about Imran Khan's one-day meeting in Lahore last weekend, only to have a tense moment on air.

Just as he was welcomed into the panel, Shahbaz said, "I think Asma Shirazi is a hardcore PML-N supporter and I respect it and she has an association with them." Host Nasim immediately cut him off despite his insistence that she let him continue, and said, "No. Shahbaz, hold on a second, I need to say this. She (Asma) criticises everyone (all parties). Let's stay with the facts. I needed to say this. I'm sorry. But you need to respond to her (Asma's) criticism [not her work]."

Shahbaz responded that this "is also freedom of speech." And continued, "Just like she has the right to say anything about me, I have the right to say anything about her. You (Asma) are a very competent journalist, I only talked about your tilt."

Asma immediately stepped in and said, "No Shahbaz, wait a minute, now you will listen to me. You are saying the wrong thing. You are constantly accusing me. Prove yourself. You should think before throwing these accusations"

Nasim intervened, "Shahbaz you must take back what you said, you have pointed fingers at Asma's zaat. You are a spokesperson, you have attacked her zaat, you should talk on your facts. You have to take it back."

Later, Shahbaz Gill responded to Asma's tweet, but he wasn't sold on apologising for what he had said on the show.

Viewers and critics have long opposed the quality of discourse on Pakistani prime time talk shows, which often devolve into arguments, personal attacks and the use of foul language, especially with regard to women.

We're all for women standing up for each other and holding men accountable, and this tussle shows that anchors and guests alike are refusing to back down especially during personal attacks.

Twitter lauded Asma for standing up for herself.

Last year, TV anchor Shahzeb Khanzada called out Mustafa Kamal for his sexist remark on TV, which goes to show that prime time presenters are taking a stand by calling out casual sexism and bad behaviour on air and being more proactive about respecting women in the workplace.

On another occasion, activist Jibran Nasir also reportedly questioned the inherent sexism of having manels on TV talk shows for a discussion of women-centric issues: “When we’re talking about women please make sure that the panel has a majority representation of them. Men are supposed to support the views of women; we are not supposed to be representing them.”

And that's a trend we can get behind.

Comments

Sheraz Feb 06, 2019 11:59am
She offered a paid Hajj on government expenses. She is biased.
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Sajid Ali Khan Feb 06, 2019 12:26pm
As you sow,so shall you reap.
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Azeem Feb 06, 2019 12:48pm
Anyone who follows Asma Shirazi knows she is effectively a PMLN spokesperson.
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Raghu Feb 06, 2019 12:50pm
Well done.........Dr Shahbaz Gill
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SAK Feb 06, 2019 12:59pm
I think Asma Sherazi has a biased opinion and approach towards Pakistan political parties having more inclination towards Nawaz Sharif personally. She criticize all parties just to create fake balance of arguments as a journalist but more critical about rivals of Nawaz Sharif. All these tweeters above of the same categories especially Umar Cheema who has checkered journalist career. Any how Gill may not be 100% correct in his comments about this lady journalist but she has this inadequacy in her journalist cum political career which attracts criticism from all patriotic Pakistani.
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M. Saeed Feb 06, 2019 01:17pm
If an official spokesman of the Government talks like this against media, it has already proved that maligning and ridiculing the media is a well crafted tool of the Government to tail twist the media to side with the Government at all costs. Aasma Shirazi has aptly replied the spokesman to show him his garb.
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Zulekha Soorma Feb 06, 2019 01:25pm
These daily talks shows at prime time are becoming a pain in the neck. It looks as if people are addicted to them and they are aired as they get "good" ratings. TV channels should concentrate on educating people on societal norms and highlighting the problems faced by Climate Change. In the past Musaddaq Sanwal used to have programs on Enviornment etc. There are no constructive programs for children. The morning shows are a total waste of time except for a couple of them who air good content sometimes. The goverenment should look into this matter and stop this mud slinging matches day in and day out.
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Ali Khan Feb 06, 2019 01:30pm
Good job Asma...
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cheebz Feb 06, 2019 01:34pm
Looks like media doesn't like the taste of their own medicine
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Imran Feb 06, 2019 01:35pm
No doubt bigotry is there in our society infiltrated to the core. But the first principle of journalism must be 'being-unbiased'. Unluckily fewer compromise their integrity for the cash grab.
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karachitee Feb 06, 2019 02:14pm
Everyone knows that how PML N government provided bags full of rupees to media houses before election. Needless to mention about billions of tax payer money given to media in the name of advertisement. That tax money which suppose to be spent for welfare of public. In Pakistan cost of freedom of expression is getting very expensive and of course biased because of some obvious reasons.
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responsibele Feb 06, 2019 02:19pm
I think also that she has a some tilt towards PMLN. I dont know why?
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Shazaib Feb 06, 2019 02:24pm
He is 100% right about Asma Shirazi being a hardcore PML-N supporter
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Sami Arshad Feb 06, 2019 02:25pm
Isnt she the same Asma Shirazi who completed a FREE hajj along with her husband paid by the government in 2011???
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GHALIBJEEE Feb 06, 2019 02:25pm
Well what Dr. Shahbaz said about Asma Shirazi is correct
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Sameer Feb 06, 2019 03:14pm
Even in civilised societies; journalism has taken sides....it aint different in Pakistan anymore than its in the US.
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lubna khan Feb 06, 2019 03:46pm
we all know asma sheerazi is pml n supporter and is also a part of WhatsApp group journalists who work for maryum nawaz
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Shampee Feb 06, 2019 04:08pm
These shows are more likely to be circus, with tamed politicians and attacking each other, no moral grounds, no character building. They must be stopped.
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Faisal Khorasani Feb 06, 2019 04:15pm
"Just like she has the right to say anything about me, I have the right to say anything about her." .. He forgot he was on TV and they are no longer in the schoolyard acting like children. This is his postgraduate training shining through?
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Iman Ali Feb 06, 2019 04:25pm
Shahbaz Gill is absolutely right and Asma is not the only one.
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Irfan Ul huq Feb 06, 2019 05:15pm
Mr. Fawwad Choudhry,Mr.Chowhan and now this Mr. Gill are the representative of the present government.This shows that they may be literate but they are uneducated. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to call fire in a movie Hall . He maybe free to express his opinion but the content that belongs to this speech belongs to him and the are deplorable. This government is trying to control speech by re structuring PMRA.
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Aliraza Feb 06, 2019 05:20pm
There is no space for moral values in the dictionary of PTI.
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Khalai Maqhlooq Feb 06, 2019 07:30pm
I agree a huge overhaul and some much needed changes are needed in media.
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Ina Feb 06, 2019 07:49pm
Gill has the right to speak his mind. Media can not force all to abide by their views.....
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Newborn Feb 06, 2019 08:50pm
She is tilted towards PML (N). That's a given. Or perhaps, that party does that right thing, which forces good journalists to take their side.
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Liaquat Thaheem Feb 06, 2019 10:14pm
More courage to you Asma ji.
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Zak Feb 06, 2019 10:28pm
Well done for Gill to stay form and expose those who show one public face but take benefits from behind for others agenda. TV journalists should stop selling their art for money. Think should think of the best interest of the nation and it's people
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Abbas Syed Feb 07, 2019 04:45am
Not just political leaders our society is sexist. It is almost over one half of a century since our with India in 1965, I still remember a line from one of the several war songs that were played 24/7 over Radio Pakistan: Mahraj jang khail naee hondi zananiyain dee. in simple English: War is not the game of females. Apparently, this song was written by a well known and respected journalist, poet and writer.
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Waqas Younus Feb 07, 2019 09:05am
She admitted to performing hajj with her husband on tax payer's money. But thats besides the point. She has a tilt. Lets say even if she doesnt, she acted out of propotion. She attacked Mr Gill on personal level. All Mr Gill said was that you have a tilt which I feel is true.
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Ma Feb 07, 2019 09:24am
Wasn't that a recorded show?? Why we need film and drama industry when we have recorded and pre planned talk shows . The tv channel will get higher ratings after reporting this incident. Proof: if the show was unfit to be aired due to the spat why did they let it go on air??
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