Pakistani social media posts 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 tests on journalists.
This claim is unfounded. The government has not made any such announcement.
Say
On March 23, a user shared an alleged image of a newspaper on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that due to the presence of non-journalists, the government has announced a three-phase vetting process for journalists in the country.
According to the claim, the first phase includes grammar tests, dictation and Urdu essay writing of the prospective journalist. 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 has been viewed 14,900 times, liked 475 times and shared 124 times.
Identical claims have also been shared on Instagram and Facebook.
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The government has not introduced any such policy regarding testing of journalists, officials and journalists confirmed.
Tasawar Arafat Chaudhry, media coordinator of the federal minister of information and broadcasting, denied the claim. “Neither the Ministry of Information nor the PID [Press Information Department] “No such statement has been issued nor does such a program exist,” he said. “We reject it and strongly deny it.”
Azma Zahid Bokhari, Punjab Information Minister, also said Geographic data verification through messages that the statement is not true.
Abdul Razzaq Sial, president of the Islamabad Press Club, said Geographic data verification by phone that the online claims were false. “This is 100% false,” he said. “If you look at the headline, it’s not even 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 have verified it, it is false,” he said. “This is just a social media rumor that resurfaces every two years. I have verified it through multiple sources and there is no truth to it.”
Muhammad Riaz, president of Peshawar Press Club, also confirmed that the provincial government has not announced any such initiative. “There is no such proposal under consideration in the provincial government or any of its departments or institutions,” Riaz said.
Verdict: The claim that the government has announced exams for journalists is false. There is no such policy and both officials and press organizations have rejected it.
