Press Council of India Notice to PTI Economic Bureau Head Ammar Zaidi

A couple of months back, Ammar Zaidi, the head of PTI’s Economic Bureau, made a sexually implicit comment at an ONGC Press Conference- and that too to the ONGC Chairman himself!

Just after the formal conference got over, the Chairman gave an interview to a well-known lady anchor of a leading business news channel. This apparently miffed Ammar, a self-styled ace Petroleum Reporter. And miffed him to an extent that he ended up getting vicious and unprofessional with his choice of words. “The ONGC chairman is interested in giving interviews to only those who wear skirts.”

Much to his chagrin, Ammar realized after making this comment that some other lady reporters were present and heard his nasty outburst.

Not ones to take this peevish and inappropriate behavior lying down, the ladies went on to file a complaint against Ammar with the Press Council of India. Since then, the Press Council has taken cognizance of the complaint and has recently issued a notice to PTI and Ammar Zaidi.

It is unfortunate that such a senior journalist who works with India’s leading wire agency has revealed such a different streak in his character. One can only wonder what all the lady reporters and desk staffers at PTI must be going through in the office on a daily basis.

This message goes out to all right-minded professionals, who will not tolerate or put up with this kind of gender-specific abuse of office.