Pakistan: CFWIJ Condemns Indian Cricketer’s Comments Against Pakistani Journalist
Location: Pakistan, Islamabad
Date: October 28, 2021
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh got into what can only be described as a juvenile twitter spat with Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir in the aftermath of the India vs. Pakistan fixture in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The two recalled moments from their rivalry arguing which side has historically fared better, when the conversation became extremely vile and loaded with personal attacks. Pakistani journalist Iqra Nasir, like many cricket fans from either side of the border, intervened to offer support to her cricket team and was abused by Singh as he attempted to counter her argument.
Journalist for Daily Times Pakistan and the radio host for FM 89.4, Iqra was targeted with vile abuses when she tried to intervene in the spat between two former superstars about whose sporting side was better.
While it can be argued that the conversation was not civil from either side, Iqra at no point engaged in any abusive language. Singh, on the other end, let the heat of the moment get the better of him. He resorted to calling Iqra illiterate, questioned her journalistic credentials and also targeted her with personal attacks.
For ur reference anpad journlist .. @IamIqraNasir 🤮🤮 https://t.co/RcjH0GewV7 pic.twitter.com/nnvR2VIlhY
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 27, 2021
Singh’s response received criticism from either side of the border as many believed he crossed an ethical line while speaking to the journalist. Fans acknowledged that the original argument between Singh and Amir was juvenile and unsportsmanlike even as it began. However, to unnecessarily target a journalist with such language was uncalled for.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns Harbhajan Singh’s conduct and demands that he offers an apology to Iqra Nasir. The former cricketers demonstrated behaviour ill-suited to their stature in the aftermath of the game when they should have tried to imbibe the sportsman spirit that their teams had demonstrated on the field. Pakistan versus India fixtures usually get heavily politicized by media and political groups on either side of the border, and cricketers, current and former, will do well to disassociate themselves from such rhetoric.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.