Shiffa Yousafzai is a Pakistani journalist, anchor, and analyst who works for 92 News HD. She has a distinguished career and achievements, such as her education from the University of Karachi and the London School of Economics, her awards from the Pakistan Media Awards and the Agahi Awards, and her shows such as “News Room” and “Muqabil”.
However, in 2023, she faced a major controversy that threatened her reputation and career, involving journalist Asad Ali Toor and his allegations against her. In this article, we will explore the woman behind the viral video controversy and how she dealt with the challenges and criticisms that she faced.
Shiffa Yousafzai’s Career and Achievements
Shiffa Yousafzai started as a reporter and anchor on various news channels, including Dawn News, Express News, and Geo News. In 2019, she joined Hum News. She hosts Subah Say Agay in the morning (a show of interviews, discussions, and analysis of current affairs issues). Her guests have included Prime Minister Imran Khan, former President Asif Ali Zardari, Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai. Also, She has written articles on subjects including the coronavirus pandemic, the Kashmir dispute and PDM rallies, and MeToo affairs.
Shiffa Yousafzai has won many awards, including the Agahi Award for Best Writer on Television in 2013; she was also nominated nine times and received five Hum Awards for her work as an anchor. She has also been named to lists such as BBC’s 100 Women of 2022, Hello Magazine ‘5o Most Powerful Women of Pakistan, and Forbes Asia-Pacific’30 Under Thirty. For her courageous and balanced approach, eloquence and charisma, passion, and professionalism–she has won both the affection of viewers and the respect of other media personalities.
The origin and content of the viral video
The video was posted on social media sites like Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook on the 23rd of March, 2023. Shiffa Yousafzai and Saira Bano’s appearance on 92 News HD talk show “News Room”. The talk show was hosted by Arif Nizami and concerned the political-economic situation in Pakistan. The video showed an argument and exchange of insults between Shiffa Yousafzai and Saira Bano over their political stances as well as some personal matters.
The argument began when Shiffa Yousafzai charged Saira Bano with bias and lack of professionalism, a rebuttal. The dispute got heated when they started talking about their private lives-marriages, divorces, and affairs. In the video, Arif Nizami is also seen trying to appease them and intervene in vain. Viewers may have watched the video, surprised and amused by this verbal clash between two journalists.
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The impact and reaction of the viral video
The video made news for all the wrong reasons, sparking a myriad of discussions and debates about journalistic etiquette. In particular, it was seen to have directly contradicted both ethical standards as well as Moslem’s dignity. Social media platforms were the place where many people shared their opinions and feelings, tagging hashtags like #ShiffaYousafzai, #SairaBano, #ViralVideo. Some argued that Shiffa Yousafzai and Saira Bano should be exposed to criticism because they polluted the image of journalism.
Still, others insisted that Shiffa Yousafzai and Saira Bano had been the victims of a conspiracy–sabotage, they said–and deserved to be forgiven and given one more chance. They also denounced the people who passed around and shared that video because those were violations of journalists ‘privacy rights.
Asad Ali Toor’s Accusations and Criticism
Asad Ali Toor is a journalist and activist who runs a YouTube channel and a Twitter account, where he posts videos and tweets criticizing the government and the establishment and exposing the corruption and malpractices of various politicians and media personalities. He has a large following and a controversial reputation, as he often faces threats and attacks from his opponents and critics.
He also went on to file a written complaint against Shiffa Yousafzai in March 2021, releasing many videos and tweets that denigrated her credibility and character. Also, He declared that he had obtained some audio clips and screenshots of Malala talking to various people, such as ministers or officers from the Information Support Directorate (ISPR), which proved her unprofessionalism, partiality, and corruption. He accused her of favoring the government and establishment while ignoring the opposition and public. He also accused her of getting little favors and gifts from the people she knows, as well as taking part in a few scandalous activities.
Shiffa Yousafzai’s Response and Support
Shiffa Yousafzai responded in a steady and dignified manner to the allegations of misuse from Asad Ali Toor. She denied the charges and defended her integrity of character. She explains that the audio clips and screenshots were edited out of context, distorted beyond recognition, or forged. Also, She said that she had no connections with any minister or ISPR official and was not getting favors or benefits from anyone. She said she was a professional and objective journalist.