Daily Times

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s decision to boycott a particular Pakistani media group is highly irresponsible. PTI has accused this organisation of biased coverage of the JIT episode, with Imran Khan going as far as to accuse the group’s chairman of trying to ‘save’ PM Nawaz Sharif. We support the democratic right to disagreement. We, however, draw the line at political parties boycotting media houses over objections regarding how the latter go about their business. This sets a worrying precedence.

If PTI believes that this particular television network has been one-sided in its coverage of the Panama Leaks saga – the party’s leaders could have appeared on the channel and used the platform to express their reservations. This would have helped in balancing the coverage. Another concern here is the security of media workers following the boycott call. The last time PTI boycotted a media outlet during those heady dharna days of 2014, party supporters physically attacked staff members and harassed female journalists — all in the name of the boycott their leader had announced. Will Imran Khan ensure that the same doesn’t happen again?

There were reports of PSL Chairman Najam Sethi being ‘manhandled’ by PTI supporters after Pakistan’s victory against India in the final of Champions Trophy. PTI’s official Twitter account appeared to condone the behaviour. It goes without saying that assaulting people over differences of opinion cannot be accepted. A political leader who claims to be the torchbearer of change should at least teach his followers some basic ethics.  *