I am still around - The other side of the story By Mubashar Luqman

[Geek]

The other side of the story



Yesterday, I gave the news. Today, I am the news. What a transition. Interestingly, a couple of months back I had written a column about unethical reporting on social media. Little could I imagine that soon I would be its most celebrated victim and that the mainstream media would jump in and join the bandwagon in haste.


What happened in the infamous Malik Riaz interview is now common knowledge and I guess millions have seen the video and commented on it. Millions may have seen it but I have not. That’s right. For the last two weeks or so, I have not seen the television nor read any newspapers out of serious depression. I even stayed away from the social media except for on a few occasions. I do however get frequent reminders by friends and family who tell me what’s on. The best comment that came out was on a facebook page when a young lady from USA commented, “I can’t imagine all those who voted for our corrupt politicians to shout themselves hoarse and point out to a television show in mock horror whence they themselves have voted in the biggest corruption ever….” Maybe it is not a fair comment but it does give me some respite in a jungle of hateful and abusive remarks.


Sadly all those so called sensible journalists that teach us ethics of journalism on television never even once asked for my point of view, or my side of the story. So much for impartiality and fairness.


I did give my own version on the same medium as I felt that I owed it to my children, family and most specially my viewers who have been loyal to me over the years.


They tell me each setback makes you a better man. I am not sure if one wants to be a great man at this cost? Something that disturbs me is how the on-screen and off-screen tapes were edited and combined to give a false impression about what transpired. Obviously, it does not matter now as some have made up their minds, while others may not appreciate the fine difference. Moreover, another thing that baffles me was the barrage of articles and comments praising a thief who stole the footage to upload it on YouTube. I respect the great cause but how in the world can anyone justify theft for any reason whatsoever. So much for our broadsheet ethics. Sadly, I still belong to the school of thought which does not allow me to condone robbers and thieves.


When I uploaded my version on YouTube, I did ask some probing questions of my peers. To date, no one has answered them or taken up my challenge. What some television anchors made out to look like crafted chatter off-the-screen is nothing compared to what actually transpires in their own shows. Any journalist who has spent a few years in the field will vouch for the fact that this is neither out-of-the-ordinary or unethical. Sadly, the biggest scoop of the day was made to look like the greatest scam of the year. Quotes were edited to give false impressions; a harmless phone call was made to appear as dictation by the federal government whilst a detailed text message by someone in the opposition was forgotten as a child’s remark, for that suited them.


What actually transpired that day is a story that I shall definitely tell but before that I must ruefully explain how my children were harassed in shopping centres, my friends laughed at and my viewers made to duck in shame and, for a while, it seemed the entire world would collapse. If it were not for faith in God, my loved ones and my special friends who came in large numbers and provided me with strength and support, I would never have been able to rise above the state I was forced into.


I still believe that the issue was blown unfairly out of proportion and that my own colleagues went around in circles, not being able to decide where to begin. I am not passing on the buck as none of that matters to me now but it left some deep scars to serve as a painful reminder for years to come.


In hindsight, some great things happened. I must confess having been robbed off the status of a solo anchor actually saved me for my co-host of the day and I never got along. Heaven forbid, if I had been alone, I am sure I would have been at ease and comfort and then there would have been no respite for me whatsoever. A harmless joke on the day comes back to haunt me as some took it very seriously.


On the fateful day, nothing went right for me. A small car accident, a ticket on the motorway, losing some neck ties and then boardroom arguments that turned unpleasant and so much more.


However, before I tell my version of the infamous Malik Riaz interview, I just wish to remind those so-called honourable newspapers that published front-page news that I had run away from the country that they were wrong in their reporting: I am still around.

Source

[UETAIN]

Nawaz, zardari aur choudary kehtain hain hum nein chori nein ki, salman,asif aur aamir ketay hain hum ghalat nein kia........................ this is pakistan, a morally corrupt nation, dont have courage to accept mistakes.
A Failed state ......

[Khansaber]

Corrupt Politician
Corrupt Players
Corrupt Media
Corrupt Anchor
Corrupt _____

But NONE OF THEM admit CORRUPTION EVEN IN THEY CAUGHT RED HANDED LIKE THIS MUNFIQ AND HIS MQM HIRED GUNS .... phir be MERA DESH MAHAN where Chor is asking for his trial on his own terms but this isn't Dunya TV and we r not Malik Riaz/Mehr Bukhari

[jagga9]

Sir g aap ko kis ne kaha tha gan*jon se panga lene ko. Ab bhugtain , gan*jay jo chahaty thy wo ho gaya . Simple..... Aur dekh lein media does not talk about maryam nawaz sms to riaz uncle. Bechari BB shaheed was also a traget of same bloody mind. Now its Maryam turn and everythg seems to be fine. Sir g ur bad luck and truck

[Bombaybuz]

He didn't saw the clips himself yet he knw that they are edited ... if A qadir gilani's call was blown out of proportion then i think maryam nawaz's SMS was equally discussed ... which other sms he is talking about ... ??? why he is not going to ask a villa from his master ... as he is responsible for all his depression and disgrace ... bold anchor sahab ,,, chubhtey hue sawal karney ka maher ... aab khud sawalon sai chuptey phir rahey hain ...

loghon ko rooz nanga karoon apney show main tab woh TRP hai aur ... apni tape baher ayee tou woh theft , robbery hoo gayee ... is hisab sai tou her CCTV camera aik theft aik robbery hua ...

You are not the first one Mr luqman who didn't liked the taste of his own medicine

[ricky12]

qadiyani aur musharaf k tatto k saath yahi ho na chaiye tha ,ALLAH karey ye ab kabhi TV pe akar kisi ko GUMRAH na kar sakey. Ameen

[Spider Man]

Whatever we saw in those off the record clips was not a proof of etc against Luqman or Mehar Bukhari. I think as society we are paranoid and have tendency to rush to conclusion without giving proper chance to defend to any one. I think Luqman in his you tube video has agreed to present himself to inquiry and giving details about his assets and close family assets to judiciary which is commendable. Also I think we should not over look or forget many other great programs that he has brought to us to expose corrupt mafia in past and one incident should not cast doubt about any individual without any soild proof. On the other hand Mehar Bukhari did Not present herself for any inquiry nor she said any thing about declaring her assets which may creat some doubts about her.

[janbazali]

every one following the same things..

Nawaz jeddah say wapis anay ka baad...mai koi muahida ker k nhe gia tha....mjhay zabardsti bhej dia....haye haye..lutt gia barbadd ho gia...

Salman butt jurm ki saza kaat k wapis bhi aa gia.... aur abb shoorr macha rha hai ... mai tu nanhaa kakaa tha, mujhay tu pata he kuch nhe.... haye haye lutt gia barbaadd ho gia

Mubashir lucman sb kuch clear aur saaf ho giaa... sb expose ho gia k kia drama chal rha tha.... ar ab ye bhi aa gia hai, haye haye mai lutt gia barbaadd ho giaa..

let me tell you all these snakes are gona expose.. aur aakhir mai sb yahi kehtay paien jayen gay...haye haye mai lutt gia barbaadd ho gia...

[ricky12]

Sir g aap ko kis ne kaha tha gan*jon se panga lene ko. Ab bhugtain , gan*jay jo chahaty thy wo ho gaya . Simple..... Aur dekh lein media does not talk about maryam nawaz sms to riaz uncle. Bechari BB shaheed was also a traget of same bloody mind. Now its Maryam turn and everythg seems to be fine. Sir g ur bad luck and truck

ye sirf ganjo k hi nahi ye har achay bandey k khelaf hai,is ney Imran khan pe bhi jaan bojh kar jhoota ilzam lagaya tha k Imran khan nay koi seelab k mutaseerin k liye camp nahi lagaya jab k jahan ye khara tha us se thori hi door PTI k camps lagay hoye thay.Is ney LIVE program main Cheaif justice ko bhi galian di thi,aur ye dono video imran aur cheif justice wali Youtube pe mojood hai.ye sirf QADIYANI aur MUSHARAF ka tatto tha.

[Ghzanfar]

In my opinion, the biggest mistake ML have done, after the interview, is getting off the screen all of a sudden. The programe was hosted by both anchors. In fact, it was mehar bukhari who was more supportive to Malik Ryaz than Mubasshar. But in the immediate aftermath, mehar bukhari was quick in response and very cleverly gave an impression of 'move on'. But Mubasshir Luqman went into hiding and is still staying same. This will cost him his career. The more he stays in hiding, the more his credibility will be damaged. And lesser the people will want him back.

[remykhan]

Mubashir; you are as nasty and dishonest as Mr. Zardari. you have cheated as much as anyother corrupt in this day and age in Pakistan. It is about time you retire for good now. I am really disappointed and would not like to see you on tv screen again.

[cofcol]

Musharraf ko nikal key khush hone wali awam bhi dekh ley ke uce key sath kya ho raha hai.

[RaqeebRoosia]

Luqman, Hang in there. Yes, it was a shocker for the nation to see what goes on behind the scenes, but I think Its a norm in all the channels.

How come Mehr is off the hook ? how come not enough attention is paid to Gilani's call and Maryam's SMS. I think its because people knew they were corrupt/dishonest to start with so it wasnt a shock for them, but they were a little sad to see you as a part of this mock interview.

Take a little time off from being the frontman, do some investigative journalism and rebuild the trust people had in you. I've watched you ask some hard hitting questions no one else would dare ask, I for one would like to see you back on the air someday.

[Tutor]

ok so his mistake was that he was supporting and helping status quo, I wonder why people are harrasing him, after that leaked video the real target should be gillani and shareefs (shareef family).
yes he is guilty, guilty of helping guilty! video exposed him big time.
But it is also a fact that media very cleverly side lined him and now they are back with their same propaganda things which they were working on, same adverts (from PPP and PMLN, using poor people money) and back on tyheir job, promoting the interewst of status quo.

SC should use this opportunity to expose the media work ethics and make them obey the rules.
This dirty filthy print and electronic media and their sold out hosts.

[Star Gazer]

my one question to Mubashar Luqman is:

If you are not listening to media or newspaper or social media THEN how do you know what is being said about you?
Are you relying on hearsay from others? Don't you want to e sure about what you say?

[mehar5]

"Sheetan Sheetan Hota hai, Media ka ho ya Parliament ka"

[abdlsy]

tough situation, no problem, now go do a numaaz, allah sae mafee manngoe, halal kee kumayee kuroe, sub theek hoe jae gaa, start a new life CLEAN and HONEST ML jee!

[TruPakistani]

You reap what you sow...........Mr.Lucman.
How do you feel after you taste your own medicine.

[funkymonk]

Sir g aap ko kis ne kaha tha gan*jon se panga lene ko. Ab bhugtain , gan*jay jo chahaty thy wo ho gaya . Simple..... Aur dekh lein media does not talk about maryam nawaz sms to riaz uncle. Bechari BB shaheed was also a traget of same bloody mind. Now its Maryam turn and everythg seems to be fine. Sir g ur bad luck and truck

Hur koi jo bota hai wohee katta hai ..
its not about his rivalry with NS .. if you still think that interview was not planted .. then probably evolution of million of years was not effective in your case ...

[Khansaber]

Whole day passed and this article still under DICUSSION .its good sign . ML & his MQM Cult team testing/diluting public response before joining Rohi/Waqt

THIS MUNAFIQ ............BROKE COUNTLESS PEOPLE TRUST & for his rival Hamid Mir he started propaganda so can get his ratings too ...Greed is Curse