–Veteran journalist bids farewell to Jang/Geo media group after two decades
–Hustle and bustle in media organisations as seasoned journalists jump ship
Renowned journalist Hamid Mir has bid farewell to the Geo/Jang Group after serving in the leading media organisation for almost two decades.
The journalist has reportedly joined an upcoming media outlet, G News Network (GNN), as its president.
In a picture making rounds over the internet, the host of one of the most popular current affairs show of the country – Geo News’ Capital Talk – can be seen standing in the GNN newsroom in Lahore. Taking to Twitter to share the picture, newscaster Salman Hassan wrote, “Welcome aboard sir jee. Mir sb joined as president of GNN.”
While all social networking sites are buzzing with the development, Hamid Mir is yet to confirm leaving the Jang group; however, it is worth mentioning that Hamid’s younger brother, Amir Mir, is serving as GNN Chief Operating Officer (COO).
GNN is owned by Gourmet Bakers, which is Pakistan’s largest retail chain of food products and was founded by Muhammad Nawaz Chatha in 1987. The company also has invested in other ventures such as magazine publication, furnishing, mineral water and pharmacies.
WHO IS HAMID MIR?
Born in Lahore on July 23, 1966, Hamid initially worked as a journalist with Pakistani newspapers, and currently, being one of the most popular journalists of the country, hosts the political talk show Capital Talk on Geo News. He writes columns for Urdu as well as English newspapers, both national and international.
Hamid interviewed Osama bin Laden after the September 11 attacks and, during his career, also interviewed several world leaders, including John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Tony Blair, Colin Powell, Nelson Mandela and Shimon Peres. He has also interviewed celebrities such as Shah Rukh Khan.
The veteran journalist had recently made it to headlines after he admitted before the Supreme Court that Pakistan’s widely proclaimed leading news channel, Geo, was not paying salaries to its staff.
During the hearing of a suo motu case in April regarding the nonpayment of staff salaries by media house owners, Hamid Mir had blew the lid off Geo and confirmed that the media persons associated with the channel had not received their salaries for the month of February and March.
Hamid has also been the target of death threats and at least two assassination attempts.
Hamid is also a recipient of the civil award Hilal-i-Imtiaz for his work and in 2016, was awarded Free Press Award in the “Most Resilient Journalist Award” category. In 2017, he was awarded the lifetime achievement award by Zafarullah Khan Jamali for his work as a news anchor.
HUSTLE AND BUSTLE IN MEDIA ORGANISATIONS:
Meanwhile, a couple of other seasoned journalists, including Sohail Warraich, Nadeem Malik and Muneeb Farooq, have also reportedly jumped ship.
While it is not yet confirmed which other organisations have Warraich and Malik opted for, Muneeb Farooq has announced joining GNN.
Reports claim that Moeed Pirzada and Mubashar Lucman will also be joining the Gourmet-run channel soon.