Summary He said Dunya's continued commitment to journalism made it easy for him to make decision
LONDON (Dunya News) – Mr. Kamran Khan, President and Editor-in-Chief Dunya Media Group on Wednesday announced in his first appearance on Dunya News that he will return on screen with a show a hundred times better than the one he used to do very soon.
“I am sure that the programme we’re developing now would be a world class news programme and a hundred times better than the one I used to do before,” he said while talking at Dunya News’ London Bureau.
“I also feel the yearning and I miss viewers of my show equally. I had become a part of their lives. And the kind of love I have gotten because of that show is the biggest asset for me. It’s surreal to believe how big a part I have become of people’s lives.”
He said the “ultimate goal of his new show would be to serve the country. It’s so flattering to see people follow and copy my trend and I am certain people will still follow the new trends that we set.”
Dunya Media Group’s president talked in details about the difficulties him and his colleagues have had to endure amid the scandal surrounding his former organization. He said “it was a difficult and easy decision at the same time”
“Human beings commit mistakes and miscalculations, now is not the time to dwell into that. I think allegation is a one thing, investigation is another.
I had also said that if the basis of doubt is strong, I would leave because my conscience does not permit me to stay and that is what I did.
That is why I disassociated myself the moment I realized the allegation has solid basis,” he added.
“I think it was such a painful aspect and it is a painful phase, but it was also crucial for me to play a role to rehabilitate those that has become part of that media group.
There was no chance of reviving that institution right now because it had a lot of hardships and difficulties.”
Talking about the phase that spanned the time from him leaving Bol and joining Dunya, Mr. Khan said “since I was the first one to leave my former organization after the controversy, I received formidable offers from all channels but I wanted to choose an organization that has proven commitment towards furthering independent and neutral journalism,” he said.
“When I met with its CEO Mr. Mian Amer Mahmood, the biggest thing about Dunya News is that it is a non-controversial organization, does not have any kind of allegations, and as far as I have followed it, pure Pakistani journalism happens here. They try to remain neutral and objective and cover news instead of becoming one. This was the biggest advantage, the one that made this stage easy for me when I talked to Mian Amer Mehmood and heard his views, I was convinced that this decision is not that difficult for me after all.”
Talking about his vision, he said “Dunya News has all the abilities to be the kind of organization that I envision, in fact, it’s already there.”
“The goal would now be to continue consolidating its number one position and its identity as unrestricted, respected and transparent journalism. And therefore this decision became easy for me,” he added.
Answering a question about furthering his journalistic career, Mr Khan said “my hearts biggest desire is that we should do extremely objective, neutral journalism and become professional organization in its true sense.”
“My desire was to associate with such an organization that aspires to become exactly that and with God’s grace, Dunya News has all those qualities,” he said.
“An organization that is not only a cause of pride for us but also leads and gives direction to the media industry. We want to set standards which others would follow. This is the only way through which we can get the media industry out of crisis.
Right now the journalists’ focus is not on news, it is rather on trying to attack other media houses and their owners. We’re missing out on news because of this. Not only are we harming journalism, we’re harming the country.”
Dunya President said about furthering investigative journalism in Pakistan that “independent institutions are crucial for continuation of investigative journalism. It is even more important that those institutions are run by journalists. The need for effective investigative journalism is now more than ever. The effort of our team would be to do credible journalism and not just to level allegations without evidence.”
Talking about one of the reasons for him to join Dunya, Mr Khan said “I am so proud that Dunya News recognized the crisis and its CEO Mr. Mian Amer Mahmood took the lead and announced to rehabilitate and welcome those workers.
This was the most encouraging thing for me. After Dunya News set this example, other media also followed its lead which is a welcoming sign.”
