Senior Journalist Arif Hameed Bhatti was taken off air on GNN News channel in Lahore.
FOE Link or motive by PPF
ConfirmedCase Update Status
No FIR was registered
Summary of Case
"On August 24, 2022 Bureau Chief of GNN Network Shahzad Hussain Butt told PPF that the reason of taken Arif Hameed off air is unknown to even channel from yesterday to more 15 days he will be off air. He said he asked Arif Hameed about the reason of taken off air he said “If you know the reason of this please share it with me as well”. He also said being former president of Punjab Union of Journalist Arif Hameed Bhatti support the journalist Jameel Farooqi and others in his show after thhe show he was told by unknown “that you will be off air for 15 days and the reason is you are sick”. Shahzad further said Arif Hameed Bhatti is very professional and sensible journalist he cannot say anything unappropriated in a show this act is highly condemnable and he urges to all union of journalists to take this matter seriously because freedom of expression is under pressure these days. There is no FIR or police compliant was registered. On August 24, 2022 president of Lahore press club Azam Chaudhry told PPF that yesterday Senior Journalst of GNN News Network Arif Hameed Bhatti was taken off air due to the external pressure on channel for his extreme support to PTI. He also said “being as a president of Lahore press club we are facing a lot of pressure in press club as well”.On August 26, 2022 Punjab Union of journalist’s General Secretary Khawar Baig told PPF that yesterday one of their delegation had to meet Analyst Arif Hameed Bhatti but he could not meet him. He further said “There is no confirmation that PEMRA sent the notice to Arif Hameed Bhatti and on August 25, 2022 Pakistan Union of Journalist made a call for protest in support of Analyst Arif Hameed Bhatti. On August 26, 2022 Bureau Chief GNN Channel Shahzad Hussain Butt told PPF that yesterday on August 25, 2022 PUJ called protest in support of Arif Hameed Bhatti in which Rana Azeem President of PUJ and Lahore press club’s president azam Chaudhry was also there and we raised voice for Arif Hameed Bhatti. He further said that Arif Hameed Bhatti is dead honest Journalist and I know him for decade he cannot say anything unappropriate on screen for any institution and the reason of taken himoff air is a mystery and unfair. He also told that 4-5 days ago Pemra chairman Muhammad Saleem visited GNN and he also met Arif Hameed Bhatti there and the visit was quite good and I wonder why this step was taken."
Category of Incident
Censorship
ICCS Status
ICCS Divisions: 0803-Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression
ICCS Group: 08039-Other acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression
ICCS Class: N/A
ICCS Crime: Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression
Reported By
Date of incident
23
Month
August
Year
2022
Name of affected person
Arif hameed bhatti
Other affected persons
No other person was affected
Name of affected organization
GNN
Other affected organizations
No other Organization affected
Action by
Unknown
City
Nationwide
Province
Nationwide
Designation
Anchor
Professional category
Journalist
Age of victim
50
Marital Status
MarriedCompensation Details
Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation announced
Date of compensation announcement by government: No compensation announced
Date of compensation paid by government: No compensation announced
Amount of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced
Date of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced
Date compensation paid by others: No compensation announced
FIR Details
Was FIR registered ?: No
Court Details
Was case investigated ?: FIR was not registered
Court where case was presented: FIR was not registered
Name of prosecuting lawyer: FIR was not registered
Date of first court hearing:
Date of last court hearing:
Status of court case: FIR was not registered
Journalist Union Status
PFUJ
Not required to contact
APNS
N/A
CPNE
N/A
PBA
N/A
Condemn Status
Colleague of victim
Not required to contact
Employer organization
"On August 26, 2022 Bureau Chief GNN Channel Shahzad Hussain Butt told PPF that yesterday on August 25, 2022 PUJ called protest in support of Arif Hameed Bhatti in which Rana Azeem President of PUJ and Lahore press club’s president azam Chaudhry was also there and we raised voice for Arif Hameed Bhatti. He further said that Arif Hameed Bhatti is dead honest Journalist and I know him for decade he cannot say anything unappropriate on screen for any institution and the reason of taken himoff air is a mystery and unfair. He also told that 4-5 days ago Pemra chairman Muhammad Saleem visited GNN and he also met Arif Hameed Bhatti there and the visit was quite good and I wonder why this step was taken."
Press Club Status
Press club 1: "On August 24, 2022 president of Lahore press club Azam Chaudhry told PPF that yesterday Senior Journalst of GNN News Network Arif Hameed Bhatti was taken off air due to the external pressure on channel for his extreme support to PTI. He also said “being as a president of Lahore press club we are facing a lot of pressure in press club as well”.On August 26, 2022 Punjab Union of journalist’s General Secretary Khawar Baig told PPF that yesterday one of their delegation had to meet Analyst Arif Hameed Bhatti but he could not meet him. He further said “There is no confirmation that PEMRA sent the notice to Arif Hameed Bhatti and on August 25, 2022 Pakistan Union of Journalist made a call for protest in support of Analyst Arif Hameed Bhatti."
Press club 2: N/A
Press club 3: N/A