Hamid Mir Alleges Journalists Are Paid Up to Rs600,000 for Anti-Party Tweets
ISLAMABAD:Senior Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir has alleged that certain journalists aligned with the government are paid between Rs500,000 and Rs600,000 for posting a single tweet, claiming that such practices undermine press freedom and compromise journalistic integrity.
Speaking at an event titled _“Media Under the Shadow of Death,”_ Mir said journalists advocating press freedom or speaking out against mistreatment of their colleagues often face the strongest resistance from individuals he described as government-aligned journalists.
“I am telling you the confirmed rate,” Mir said, alleging that a person had publicly stated that he was offered Rs500,000 to post a tweet against a particular political party.
He argued that journalists themselves were compromising the profession by accepting such offers.
### Media Facing Challenges Similar to PTI, Says Mir
Mir said the current state of Pakistan’s media resembled that of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), with divisions and internal disputes weakening both.
He observed that PTI members were fighting among themselves while journalists were also divided, adding that neither appeared sufficiently concerned about protecting their collective interests.
According to Mir, these divisions were making it increasingly difficult to defend press freedom and respond collectively when journalists faced pressure.
### Raises Concerns Over Removal of His Newspaper Column
Referring to the current media environment, Mir said conditions had become more serious and dangerous than during former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf’s era.
He cited the recent publication of his column, titled _“Double Barrel Khan,”_ in the Urdu-language newspaper _Jang_. Mir claimed that the article appeared in the print edition but was subsequently removed from the newspaper’s website.
He said he had made repeated efforts to determine who ordered its removal but received no clear answer.
Mir alleged that he was eventually told that continued confrontation could put the publication’s operations and the jobs of its employees at risk.
Comparing the current situation with 2007 and 2011, he said journalists had previously been able to identify those responsible for restrictions, whereas the people exerting pressure today allegedly operated indirectly.
He claimed that civilian government officials denied responsibility when approached, with different institutions distancing themselves from the decisions.
### Mir Says His Live Programme Has Been Affected
The senior journalist also disclosed that his television programme had not been broadcast live for the past three to four years.
He alleged that comments he made during broadcasts were sometimes edited out, describing the situation as a form of compromised journalism.
Mir said that following several recent incidents, he had challenged those allegedly pressuring him to arrest him if they intended to do so, rather than continue what he described as persistent harassment.
### Recalls Conversation With Senior Minister About Jail
Mir further recounted an exchange with a senior federal minister who, according to him, responded to his remarks by saying that he should not worry because his time in jail would not be too difficult.
When Mir asked why, the minister reportedly replied that a new jail had been built in Islamabad.
Mir’s remarks highlight his concerns about censorship, political divisions within the media and alleged pressure on journalists. His claims regarding payments for social media posts and the removal of his newspaper column have not been independently verified.
