Hamid Mir will not be hosting ‘Captial Talk’ tonight
Senior Journalist and anchorperson Hamid Mir, who hosts prime time show ‘Capital Talk’ on Geo News, has been taken off air. Many believe Mir has been asked to go on leave because of this speech.
Mir confirmed the news on Twitter. “Nothing new for me. I was banned twice in the past. Lost jobs twice. Survived assassination attempts but cannot stop raising voice for the rights given in the constitution. This time I’m ready for any consequences and ready to go to any extent because they are threatening my family.”
Nothing new for me.I was banned twice in the past.Lost jobs twice.Survived assassination attempts but cannot stop raising voice for the rights given in the constitution.This time I m ready for any consequences and ready to go at any extent because they are threatening my family. https://t.co/82y1WdrP5S
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) May 31, 2021
Human rights bodies condemned the indefinite ban on Hamid Mir.
The punitive action of taking @HamidMirPAK off the air following a speech at a protest calling for accountability for an attack on @AsadAToor, severely undermines the responsibility media outlets and authorities have to protect free speech in an already repressive environment 1/2 https://t.co/CYlqTTZVnR
— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) May 31, 2021
HRCP strongly condemns the decision to take @HamidMirPAK off the air three days after he spoke fervidly against the escalation in curbs on press freedom. He must be allowed to resume his professional duties immediately and the threats against him investigated. @geonews_urdu pic.twitter.com/1d8WhJHwKA
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) May 31, 2021
Journalists tweeted in solidarity with Hamid Mir.
By puting presure on Geo 2 remove @HamidMirPAK is tried/failed way of contesting media reports/coments..as r asaults,attacks & kidnaping.Take journalists to Court to contest reports.Citizens/institutions must function within legal limits 2 enjoy respect/Constitutional protection.
— Nasim Zehra (@NasimZehra) May 31, 2021
The Pakistani government says that the country has a free press, while it is championing human rights abroad, in Indian-held Kashmir and Israel/Palestine. Hamid Mir spoke out after a journalist critical of the authorities was beaten up. Now Hamid Mir's show is taken off the air. https://t.co/Y0M3LO2VZf
— Saeed Shah (@SaeedShah) May 31, 2021
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that it is up to the broadcasters to decide which programme to air. “We have nothing to do with the internal decisions of media organisations. All broadcasters are responsible for making their own policy under Article 19 of the Constitution.”
کس نشریاتی ادارے نے کیا پروگرام نشر کرنا ہے اوراس کی ٹیم کیا ہوگی یہ فیصلہ ادارے خود کرتے ہیں، ہمارا اداروں کے اندرونی فیصلوں سے کوئ تعلق نہیں تمام ادارے آئین کے آرٹیکل 19 کے تحت اپنی پالیسی بنانے کے خود ذمہ دار ہیں۔
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) May 31, 2021
Several politicians took to Twitter to condemn this ban.
حامد میر صاحب کے پروگرام پر پابندی لگانا مسئلے کا حل نہیں بلکہ اپنے لیے مزید مشکلات اور مسائل کو جنم دینا ہے۔ اس سے آگ بجھے گی نہیں بلکہ مزید بھڑکے گی۔ مگر کون سمجھائے؟
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) May 31, 2021
We condemn such arbitrary decisions against freedom of speech&oppose all pressures to intimidate journalists into silence.We Stand With @HamidMirPAK #JournalismIsNotACrime
— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) May 31, 2021
Hamid Mir is a journalist who has selflessly stood by the oppressed of this country. This is the time to speak up for him. You are not alone @HamidMirPAK #IstandwithHamidMir
— Akhtar Mengal (@sakhtarmengal) May 31, 2021