When Journalists killed Journalism by themselves by following Pak India cold war in May 1949

When Journalists killed Journalism by themselves by following Pak India cold war in May 1949

This is a story of shameful flight by none the other but supporters of freedom of press and it included all shades of editors & owners of media i-e progressives, right wing religious fundamentalists, liberals. it reminds  us how business priorities compels competitors to compromise on view points.  Interestingly, in both newly created countries some over smart people were more active against old English people who had some important position in both countries after August 1947. Local officers wanted to replace English people while business people wanted to increase their share in profit. As usual, Nationalism was their weapon to dethrone those remaining English officers. Greed & abrupt promotions were behind the scene while Nationalism & anti-colonialism was on the front. No doubt, both countries were new, both needed some experience officers    so Jinnah & Nehru allowed their stay and both were happy with them too yet some over smart people were in haste due to specific interests. This story is regarding journalism yet it tells us the unholy alliance developed in newly born Pakistan during formative years. It also threw light on emergence of Pak India cold war in media too. The incident happened just two months after Objective resolution in May 1949. It also reminds me the interview of comrade Tufail Abbas, a Karachi base communist who was active in trade union of Orient Airways during early days. He was arrested and in jail. Some officials told him that they wanted to abolish Orient Airways and also wanted to establish a new Pakistani airline. Comrade told me that it was a rare moment when we were on same pitch with officials. The interview is available at our website www.ajfpk.org.
Anyway, you read this incident which was recorded by Late Zamir Niazi in his book " aunglian faqar apnni". I first time read this in the clumn of Zafar Iqbal mirza in Dawn but now Dawn has no more love to publish mirza sahib articles due to unknown reasons. The article, death of a newspaper is included in his book " the last Man in" available at Readings www.readings.com.pk. According to Zamier Niazi Civil & military Gazette , a renowned pre-partition newspaper had published a wrong report through its Delhi correspondent A N kummar regarding behind the scene peace efforts on Kashmir. Next day the paper not only printed an apology but also removed its correspondent from his job. yet after some days, 17 newspaper editors ( including right wing Nawa e waqat, liberal Dawn & progressive Pakistan Times headed by Faiz Ahmad Faiz) published a joint editorial and government banned the paper. by this act, editors himself allowed the state to use hammer of nationalism and it can be considered an attack on freedom of press supported by journalists, media owners and editors. They could go to court but instead of using proper institution they all preferred to use state authority. now u read this story yourself
http://e.dunya.com.pk/detail.php?date=2013-06-07&edition=LHR&id=397508_28418904

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