As a consequence of an inaccurately reported news in the News International and the Jang, reporters from both newspapers have been barred from attending sessions of the Supreme Court. A five-day ban has also been imposed on the two dailies.
Both newspapers reported that the judiciary lacks confidence in the government. It turned out that both newspapers got it wrong and the statement wasn’t factual. The Supreme Court then demanded a fact check.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar, took notice of the inaccuracy in news reporting and violation of journalistic ethics.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan called in the News International Chief Editor, Hanif Khalid, to explain the fake news he propagated regarding the alleged falling out between the judiciary and the government.
Mian Saqib Nisar, along with Justice Ejaz ul Ehsan, heard the case. The Chief Justice asked how the newspaper came to the conclusion that the judiciary lacked faith in the government or that there was any rift between the two branches of government. The chief justice remarked on how can a media outlet even publish this news when their reporters do not even show up at court sessions.
While condemning the inaccuracy of news reporting by the media giant, the chief justice showed his displeasure that not only was the inaccurate news published but the subject was also taken up by the media house’s news anchors and no one cared to verify the news.
The chief justice inquired if this the best they have to offer as a news media outlet? He remarked that while the media outlet claims to be number one in the country, they certainly fail to act the part.
When the writer requested that the Court pardon the mistake, Justice Ejaz ul Ehsan asked why is it that only one media house keeps making these sort of mistakes? He pointed out that it won’t be fair that the court keeps forgiving the same media outlet for these repetitive mistakes.
Justice Ejaz ul Ehsan also pointed out that the apology published by the newspapers lacked an apologetic tone. Leading the apex court judge to question if it counted as an apology or not.
The court did, however, accept the apology and retracted the notice, provided the newspapers investigate the matter, verify their source and carry out requisite action against the reporter that gathered the news.