The anchor of a private channel apologised on Sunday’s night after airing an alleged “private” conversation of Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam saying that it was not the ideal decision to broadcast someone’s conversation without their consent.
Former cricketers and netizens displayed great angered over this incident calling it a breach of privacy and unethical move, some were asking to hold the persona accountable who leaked the private conversation between two people.
The chat surfaced after Rashid Latif, the former wicketkeeper batter of Pakistan, claimed that Babar Azam has been sending messages to the PCB Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf, Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer and Director of International Cricket Usman Wahla for the last two days, but all three of them are not responding.
The anchor of the show, Waseem Badami, apologised on behalf of his team and the TV management on the matter and explained his side of the story.
“When we are doing a live show in which a number of people are involved, a range of decisions are taken. Some of them are good and at times we make decisions which are wrong.
“And today, I think we took a wrong decision regarding an alleged WhatsApp chat between Babar Azam and a high-ranking PCB official. You may ask if that was a wrong move then why it happened.”
The anchor then went to explain what happened before the show and why they did, what they did.
“Before the show, we had consultations on the matter and decided against airing this,” Badami said.
“At this point, we decided to broadcast the screenshot assuming that a responsible official is taking full responsibility for it. Conveniently forgetting that it is a private discussion between two individuals.
“But I think it was not an ideal decision and I’m saying this not only on my behalf but on my team’s and TV management’s behalf as well. Because we think, it was a private convo then it shouldn’t have been aired without consent.
“So, if it had hurt anyone. I apologise from the core of my heart and I’m not just proud of it… we are not proud of it.”
It must be noted that the controversy also came under discussion on a private news channel when a screenshot of an alleged WhatsApp chat between the two was aired.
“Babar, there’s also been this news circulating on TV and social media that you have been calling Chairman and he’s not answering. Have you called him recently?”
To which, Babar Azam allegedly replied: “Salam Salman bhai, ma nay to sir ko koi call nai ke [Salam Salman bhai, I have not made any calls to sir].”
“Ok thanks,” the other person responded.
- Babar Azam