Zainab Abbas reveals secret give and take practice between players, journalists

Pakistan cricket has been involved in several controversies over the years. One notable controversy has been journalists’ interference in sensitive cricketing affairs.

There have also been hearsays of journalists being biased towards certain players or factions within the Pakistan Cricket Board, which has led to concerns about the objectivity and impartiality of the media in covering the sport.

Renowned sports presenter, Zainab Abbas, subtly busted the partiality of the sports journalists community in Pakistan and labeled it as a rather 'common ritual' in the industry.

"I know for a fact that certain players have been giving a lot of gifts to certain journalists to make sure that they talk in their favor. This is a rather common practice. You increase your following [digital], and this all happens automatically. But yes, this is a very prevalent practice. If not gifts, then tickets can do the deal as well," Zainab said in a Zalmi TV podcast.

However, it is essential to note that journalists are responsible for reporting the news accurately and without bias. Accepting gifts or other forms of compensation can compromise that responsibility.

If journalists accept gifts from players in exchange for favourable coverage, it could be seen as a conflict of interest and could undermine the credibility of their reporting.