Media persecution of Dr Shahid Masood
Since the day Dr Shahid Masood was made the MD and the Chairman of the PTV, press reports against him have been quite visible against him. In some sections of the press it is being alleged that the doctor has chosen to side with Musharraf and that he is squandering the taxpayer’s money too. Some others have called it a sell out. Sorry but what is a sell out in his case? His presence as the head of the country’s largest albeit state-owned terrestrial network is good news. It is unwise to jump the gun and raise finger at a man who has only just joined the set-up. Pakistan Television we already know has been victim of prolonged abuse and hence become an almost incorrigible place. It will take the man sometime to clean the Augean stables. If today the doctor is getting bad press it is mainly politically motivated. And when I say politically motivated I mean the PTV Workers’ Union. It is quite understandable that many a people get jealous of someone so successful but no one goes to this level of defamation if his personal interest is not at stake. The PTV needs a radical operation which may include kicking some asses. Now there are many less successful souls within the PTV union who would have liked to be in his place. That is why all this unfortunate defamation campaign.
Regarding Dr Shahid I have this to say. First he can be anything but not unethical. Therefore we can rule out the chances of financial mismanagement. Second he is not partisan and is being ridiculed for the same reason by a multitude of people. Third he is not only very good at management but also a very capable television anchor. While it is correct to use his administrative skills in order to discipline the unruly PTV bureaucracy, he should also be asked to host a show on the state run television. A little bit of objectivity and independence of view can never harm a government. Masood’s program on PTV will only help it regain viewership. This is exactly what the PTV needs. Image of a credible channel and an increase in regular viewership. I still remember how credible PTV had become when Talat Husain was its Director News. While it is true that Dr Shahid Masood is a doctor by profession let us not forget that he has carved his niche in the media through his own hard work. Let us hope that the democratic government will stand with Dr Shahid and a credible PTV. Sirs, please give us our good old PTV back.
And finally I leave you with Dr Shahid’s recent Urdu column which speaks volumes of the strain caused by the media persecution.
http://ejang.jang.com.pk/8-4-2008/pic.asp?picname=02_10.gif
his appointment means everybody has a price.the question is how much does a man cost.dr shahid masood ,i have always thought was an honest man,but he sold himself to the highest bidder and that is why he should be ashamed of himself .