In an unwonted move unethical journalistically and generally, Daily Ummat used the word ‘prostitute’ for the supporters of Aurat March in a lead news story in its edition published on April 5.
The news story referred to a report on figures of rape cases in different countries.
It contained names of top-14 countries where the rape incidents against women were the highest. However, none of the Muslim countries were among them.
Therefore, criticizing Aurat March, the daily newspaper wrote, ‘The prostitutes of Aurat March were unable to see the names of non-Muslim countries’.
The report highlighted the struggles and roles of different prominent Muslim women throughout history and called them as role-models.
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However, the news story labeled Pakistani female television anchors and politicians as ‘prostitutes’ who would sell themselves against a few dollars.
Daily Ummat set a wrong precedent by using the word ‘prostitute’ for the supporters of Aurat March even if the editorial considered it ‘nefarious’.
However, so far, the newspaper has not tendered an apology for the slur against the women.
Interestingly, it could not be cited as a mistake as the editor-in-chief must have given it a green signal as the word was not used once but more than that.
And even if that wasn’t the case and editor-in-chief was bypassed, the newspaper has not announced to take action against the perpetrators.