Posts on Pakistani social media have shared an article purportedly from an Urdu newspaper claiming that due to the presence of “non-journalists” in the media, the government has announced that it will conduct investigations for journalists.
This claim is baseless. The government has not issued such a notification.
Assertion
On March 23, a user shared an alleged photo of a newspaper on X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming that due to the presence of non-journalists, the government has announced a three-phase investigation process for journalists in the country.
According to the claim, the first phase includes testing a prospective journalist’s Urdu grammar, dictation and essay writing. The second phase covers the basic components of journalism, such as news writing and report writing. The third phase focuses on investigative journalism and psychological awareness.
At the time of writing, the post had been viewed 14,900 times, liked 475 times and shared 124 times.
Identical claims have also been shared on Instagram and Facebook.
Fact
No such policy regarding testing of journalists has been introduced by the government, officials and journalists confirmed.
Tasawar Arafat Chaudhry, Media Coordinator of the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, denied the allegation. “Neither the Ministry of Information nor the PID [Press Information Department] has issued such a statement, nor is there any such program,” he said. “We strongly reject and deny it.”
Azma Zahid Bokhari, Punjab Minister for Information also told Geofact check via messages that the claim is not true.
Abdul Razzaq Sial, president of Islamabad Press Club, told Geofact check over the phone that the online claims were false. “This is 100% false,” he said. “If you look at the headline, it’s not even in a newspaper format. Someone made it up; it’s made up.”
Arshad Ansari, president of the Lahore Press Club, also confirmed that the online posts were not true. “I’ve checked this, it’s fake,” he said. “This is just a social media rumor that resurfaces every few years. I have verified it across multiple sources and there is no truth to it.”
Muhammad Riaz, president of Peshawar Press Club, also confirmed that no such initiative has been announced by the provincial government. “There is no such proposal under consideration in the provincial government or in any of its departments or institutions,” Riaz said.
Verdict: The claim that the government has announced investigations into journalists is false. No such policy exists and officials as well as press agencies have rejected it.
