US blogger Cynthia Ritchie who accused PPP leaders of sexual harassment joins Pakistan TV

Islamabad: The US blogger and journalist Cynthia D Ritchie who is currently living in Pakistan, has joined the state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) and will soon be hosting a show entitled ‘Saturday with Cynthia.’

In this show, she will be having a co-host whose name has not yet been disclosed and in her own words, “After a brief training, I shall be on air talking directly to the people of Pakistan, highlighting everyday issues, women’s achievements and marginalised communities’ status, etc.”

While talking to Gulf News, Cynthia Ritchie admitted it was going to be the first such encounter and said, “I am very excited about it.”

The state-owned PTV in a tweet has also confirmed that the filmmaker and writer Cynthia Richie has joined PTV and would be a part of the PTV World team in the future.

The tweet was, however, deleted by PTV news shortly after, but taking to her official handle, Cynthia confirmed that she has joined PTV.

Politically neutral show

Asked what her motivation was to join PTV and if it would be possible for her to keep balance (between the government and the opposition parties), she said, “I wish to develop a programme that is authentic, politically neutral, wholesome, solutions- focused.”

About a foreigner hosting a local TV programme, she said she would do her best to come up to the expectations of the public as well as those who are hiring her. “Any foreign national working for a state institution is a huge responsibility for all sides,” she said.

I have made it clear that I will exercise complete editorial independence to make my show entertaining and credible, she further said.

What would be the topics of the TV programme?

Cynthia said she would try not to indulge in too much politics. “Our intent is to inform, entertain and enlighten,” said she adding there were plenty of other topics the viewers wanted to watch and listen to with interest. They can be social issues such as women’s rights, minority rights, children’s rights, health and education needs and initiatives.

We will also include success stories, the best sites of Pakistan and gastronomy. These segments will also touch on tourism challenges and success stories - such as the need for improved infrastructure, etc.

They will also feature awareness campaigns to guide tourists, so they know how to respect local cultures.

Earlier this year, Cynthia had made headlines after accusing PPP leader and former Interior Minister Rehman Malik of abuse. She had also levelled allegations of harassment against former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and former health minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin.

The PPP leadership had rejected Cynthia’s allegations, saying that she was part of a conspiracy to malign the party’s leadership.