Maheen Usmani…. She is not a quitter

A television channel is still facing the heat of being bad to a journalist, who knows how to express herself.
In yet another communiqué to all, she has gone harder on the television administration, and it can be hoped that she will continue her struggle.
Bravo! The lady!

Following is another letter written to all…including those behind her exit from the organisation.

Dear All,
Is there any justice in this benighted country? What is the fate of the National Press Club’s enquiry into the sexual harassment charges against Mr Yousuf Beg Mirza, Managing Director, Dunya News? I had high hopes from these senior and independent journalists after I gave my testimony in this case more than two months ago. But it seems that giving a verdict is beyond their capabilities.
Mr Mirza has been declaring to all and sundry that there is no truth to the sexual harassment charges because it was “only one” phone call. May I remind him that after my shut up call and him being put on the mat in Lahore in response to my complaint, and his subsequent offer to apologise, there was no way Yousuf Beg Mirza would have dared to make that second call. Not being a quitter, I decided to ignore this incident and put it behind me, but was unable to do so because of the MD’s constant efforts to sabotage my report and harm my programme, and destroy my career. It was after this constant harassment over a month’s time that I decided to leave Dunya News in protest.
After decades of censorship and draconian laws, we finally have what appears to be a no holds barred, vibrant and energetic media emerging in Pakistan. Or do we? Appearances can be very deceptive. The media, who term themselves the “watchdogs of our society”, cry themselves hoarse over the prevailing corruption and myriad injustices. But what happens to the very same journalists when their rights are trampled over time and again by the unholy nexus of noveau riche channel owners and senior journalists who have piggy backed onto senior management positions? Nowadays, we are inundated with the 24/7 coverage of sugar cartels, but why are no voices raised when the cartel of channel owners and journalists-turned-managers ruthlessly exploit their employees?
Dunya News recently fired senior and competent employees without any rhyme or reason just because their new Executive Director wanted to accommodate his own sidekicks. As if their sudden termination was not humiliating enough, notices were put up outside the office banning their entry. These ‘ex employees’ of Dunya News have still not been given their termination letters which means that they are still on the payroll of the channel. Whether Dunya News coughs up their salaries and dues is debatable, because they are known for contractual irregularities and pocketing salaries of anyone who has left the organization. Undoubtedly, Dunya News is living up to it’s slogan of “Dunya Tez Hai’ and is setting new benchmarks in the exploitation and humiliation of workers. But such is the power of money, influence, politics and connections that the majority of journalists, who profess themselves to be the custodians of truth and morality in our society, are in fact aiding and abetting such unprofessional activities by their deafening silence.
May I ask what exactly is the purpose and function of journalists’ organizations who claim to protect the rights of workers? What have they done to stop the ruthless slaughtering of journalists in the electronic media organizations? What sensitivity have they shown in my case? What steps have they taken to create awareness about sexual harassment in the workplace? Instead, I have been disgusted by their coarse comments and partiality towards Mr Yousuf Beg Mirza, despite his notorious track record. How many of these journalists’ organizations have ever protested to channel owners about arbitrary dismissals of employees and contractual irregularities?
They are ever ready to hold up a mirror to society, but do journalists ever look into that mirror themselves? Why is it that no newspaper or channel in Pakistan is ready to expose corruption or malpractices within their own industry? If it's a matter of 'you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours', then why the brouhaha about the shenanigans and misdeeds of politicians or lawyers or doctors? Are the owners and senior management of the Fourth Estate any better than these transgressors? Why is it that the insidious corruption and shady deals within our own field reduces the full throated roars of journalists to mere squeaks? Mice or men? You decide.
Despite offers from leading channels, I have decided to take an extended break from the stimulating and fascinating world of electronic media, due to the influx of unsavoury characters and the ever increasing levels of hypocrisy and sycophancy which is difficult for any professional journalist to digest. Although I have been denied justice so far, I will continue to work to spread awareness about harassment in the workplace, and support the implementation of the Sexual Harassment Bill which will put offenders behind bars for 3 years. I do not regret the stand I took against one such offender, despite all the setbacks and the lack of concrete support from journalists’ organizations. My speaking out will not be in vain if it forces sleazy head honchos to think twice before targeting any female journalist in the future.

Maheen Usman

Maheen Usmani still fighting for her right

Again Maheen Usmani has come to the fore, while taking to task another lady, who is already in troubled waters due to her alleged rapport with the agencies, Naseem Zahra because of latter's somersaults for saving the already-tainted skin of the television administration. Succinctly, the dust is not settling yet, though many think it otherwise.
Ms Usmani has written another letter to all re-explaining her position and calling a spade a spade despite all odd circumstances.
Here is the letter:-


Dear All,

This is not the first time that Naseem Zehra has surfaced on this site regarding the harassment I had to face at Dunya News. I chose to resign rather than respond to the nauseating overtures made by the MD, Yousuf Beg Mirza. In doing so, I did not ask for anything except an apology from the MD for abusing his position and authority.
Since my resignation, I have been subjected to a continuous hostile campaign of defamation. All kinds of vile and repulsive propoganda has been unleashed at me just because I have chosen not to compromise, and give in to unprofessional and unethical conduct which unfortunately seems to be the norm in the electronic media. I have been very committed to my work, but I would always choose my integrity and principles over fame and success if I had to pay such a heavy price for it. Perhaps the 'gentleman' in question has found it hard to deal with a woman who has no qualms about stating the truth. Despite all the filth that has been heaped on my head, I had consciously chosen not to stoop to the level of the management at Dunya News, with whom I have had the misfortune of working with. However, the latest salvo from Ms. Naseem Zehra has made it imperative for me to break my silence, because such people need to be stopped in their tracks without any further ado.
Who is Naseem Zehra? A struggling programme host who is employed by Dunya News? What does she have to do with this case of harassment? The eagerness she has displayed in coming to the aid of the Dunya management and being their mouthpiece time and again is indeed amusing, and greatly at variance with her carefully cultivated image of espousing the cause of the emancipation of women and the oppressed. In her alacrity to jump to the defence of the Dunya management yet again, she has chosen to be economical with the truth. She says, "The opening up of a settled matter serves no purpose. Many on this list may be aware that the inquiry conducted within Dunya News and also externally came to the conclusion that the allegation made regarding sexual harassment was baseless." The truth of the matter is that the Dunya News' internal inquiry was merely a face saving exercise which is why it comprised of junior employees of such departments as IT and Operations from Lahore. My repeated requests to have impartial and independent minded people in the committee, which was supported by the International Federation of Journalists, was not heeded to by Dunya News. Naturally, the internal 'inquiry' did not come to any conclusion and sank without a trace. As far as the external inquiry is concerned, the National Press Club has been unable to give a verdict because Yousuf Beg Mirza appears reluctant to appear before them, for reasons best known to him. Since neither of the two enquiries has given a verdict so far, how can Naseem Zehra declare pompously that the allegations are 'baseless' or that the matter is 'settled?'
Why has Naseem Zehra conveniently forgotten to mention that initially she was the Convenor of the internal inquiry set up by Dunya News? She had the audacity to write a letter after I resigned, asking for a ban on my entry into the Islamabad office of Dunya News for the purpose of the enquiry. Ms Zehra asked all the employees to sign this letter, because I had "hurt the sentiments of the Dunya team" by levelling these alleagations against their paragon of virtue, YBM. The drivers, guards, peons, electricians et al were forced to sign the letter by the administration, and then a Current Affairs producer, working under Naseem Zehra, took it into the newsroom where the first person to happily affix his signature was none other than our honourable Bureau Chief, Mr. Rao Khalid. However, Ms Zehra's plans were thwarted when many of my former colleagues refused to sign the letter and started questioning why my entry should be banned in office. On seeing the dissent and uncompromising mood of the reporters, the letter and it's bearer beat a hasty retreat. After this unsavoury incident which showed the real face of Naseem Zehra and the Dunya management, I wrote a letter to the HR, Dunya News, protesting at this malicious and underhanded action of Naseem Zehra's and asked that how could she be the Convenor of this inquiry when she was trying her best to pressurise and subdue me? Eventually, Ms Zehra had to withdraw from the committee.
While the enquiry was being conducted, Naseem Zehra wrote a letter to the PFUJ stating that this case of harassment was based "on only one phone call". May I request her to kindly add to her reservoir of knowledge by googling the term 'sexual harassment' to know exactly what it means. I don't know how many phone calls from unsavoury characters it takes for Naseem Zehra to cry wolf, but for me one was quite enough, thank you very much. Hearing the MD offering me financial reimbursements and asking me to go to another room "takay aap mujh say khul kay baat kar sakain.." made me furious. Why should any female journalist take this kind of crap, just because the man happens to be in a senior position?
I am aware that many female journalists choose to remain silent in the face of sexual harassment, because they have little choice in the matter which has emboldened such unsavoury characters to spread their wings in the media. I hope that their mouthpieces and agents realise that the time has come to bring about a positive change in our field, and to eradicate or minimise the role of such people who have reached their exalted positions by toadying up to those in power and currying favours.

Maheen Usmani

Govt gives ‘grant’ to journalists! For what?

Rs 33.792m pocketed by mediamen ‘in aid’
During the fiscal year 2008-09, the Punjab government gave Rs 33.792 million to 24 journalists, who are working with various newspapers as reporters, newsroom men and columnists.

This has been done from the supplementary budget of the public exchequer. The names of the journalists have been published in the ‘supplementary budget statement 2008-09’.

Interestingly, a person also qualified to be a beneficiary owing to the reason that he is a brother of a female journalist.

This depicts that how even the most ‘pious’ of the governments indulge in such tactics, which are far helping in getting the ‘better’ of journalists.

What qualifies them to become 'beneficiaries' of the 'grant', cannot be discovered. However, one thing is clear: The influential can get more 'aid', while persistent pursuer of the application can get not lakhs, but thousands certainly.

The leading among all is MAK Lodhi, Editor Investigation, The News Lahore, who was given Rs 20 million, while being followed by Naeem Ullah Khan, News Editor, Daily Express, Islamabad, who got Rs 7 million.

The third highest is the Resident Editor of The News Ayesha Haroon, who has been given Rs 3.962 million for medical treatment. She seems to be the most deserving of all, as she has been very ill for the last over two years. She is said to have already spent a lot from her own pocket. Plus her journalistic credentials are far far above than the rest.

The rest of journalists, 21 in total, reached an accumulative figure of Rs 2.83 million. A. Hameed, Columnist ‘Express’ Lahore, Rs 500,000; Rana Shehzad Iqbal, Senior Sub-Editor Daily Aaj Kal, Lahore Rs 3,80,000 and Saadat Khayali, senior columnist, Lahore, got Rs 3,00,000. Muzaffar Muhammad Ali, Editor Jang Publisher, Lahore, Khawaja Abdul Hakeem Amir, senior journalist, Lahore, Hamid Javed, Reporter Jang, Lahore, and Inayat Arif, senior journalist, Lahore got Rs 200,000 each.

Khadim Hussain, Jang, Lahore, Asghar Ali Joyia, Columnist Daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore, Prof Afzal Tauseef, senior journalist/columnist, and Shaukat Hussain Shaukat, Chief Editor, Daily Afaq were given Rs 100,000 each.

Those who got Rs 50,000 each are: Syed Ghazanfar Abbas Kazmi, Editorial Incharge, Daily Aaj Kal, Lahore, Altaf Ahmed, Computer Operator, Daily Jang, Lahore, Dastoor Group (Punjab Union of Journalists), Saleem Jadoon, Daily The Nation, Lahore, Muhammad Saeed Azhar, senior journalist, Lahore, Saeed Ahmed Shahid, Sub-Editor Jang, Ali Murtaza, brother of senior journalist Attiya Zaidi and Zawar Hussain, senior journalist for medical treatment.

The lowest aid of Rs 25,000 each was given to Gulzar Mustafai, Journalist Daily ‘Taaqat’ and Shoaib Jamil, News Editor, Jurat Lahore.