Pak Tea House » Opinion, Reviews » An open letter to CIO / Pc World Pakistan
An open letter to CIO / Pc World Pakistan
To: CIO/PC WORLD
Dear Sir/Madam:
Respectfully submitted as follows:
1. That I am addressing you as the co-editor of the blogzine, http://www.pakteahouse.net (“PakTeahouse”) which was a nominee the recently concluded “Pakistan Blog Awards”.
2.That you awarded the “best current affairs blog” to a little known blog called http://zaviews.blogspot.com (the “ZAVIEWS AKA NEWS”).
3. That the PakTeahouse team has perused the aforesaid and the team unable to decipher how you came to the conclusion that ZAVIEWS AKA NEWS is the best current affairs blog, given that it has only a few blog entries, few of which are directly relevant to the recent events in Pakistan.
4. That in comparison PakTeaHouse blog has established its credentials as the go to blog for Pakistani current affairs and the same has been recognized not just nationally but internationally by such publications as The New York Times in the United States of America and The Hindu in India.
5. That there is no topic or event that can be termed “current affairs” which has not been covered by the PakTeaHouse blog. The same cannot be said for ZAVIEWS AKA NEWS. Even a cursory glance on the topics covered at the PakTeaHouse and ZAVIEWS AKA NEWS makes it abundantly clear that while the PakTeaHouse blog has covered everything from war on terror to memogate and from persecution of minorities to the periodic Veena Malik scandals, ZAVIEWS AKA NEWS falls short on each count.
6. That in terms of the quality of content, PakTeaHouse contains an independent team of writers which has written fearlessly, critically and openly on issues that are considered taboo.
7. That in terms of unique hits generated and viewership there is no comparison between the aforesaid ZAVIEWS AKA NEWS and PakTeahouse.
8. That it is our apprehension that you have deliberately sought to ignore the pre-eminent place that the PakTeaHouse blog enjoys in the Pakistani blogosphere, especially when it comes to current affairs.
9. That your conduct in the matter is highly arbitrary to say the least. It is therefore requested that you make plain the criteria upon which you have selected ZAVIEWS AKA NEWS as the best current affairs blog for 2011.
10. That in order to preserve the integrity of your award and their credibility, it is urgent that you
a. Give a reasoned explanation of the basis of your adjudication; or
b. Review your decision vis a vis the best current affairs blog.
Please do not hesitate to contact me in the event of any queries.
Yasser Latif Hamdani
Co-editor, PakTeaHouse
Filed under: Opinion, Reviews · Tags: blog, blog awards, Karachi, letter, Pakistani, team
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The award selection SHAM
[...] An open letter to CIO Pakistan By admin | December 27, 2011 December 27th, 2011 | 1 Comment [...]
Are you talking about the event in which Imran Khan was invited at the last moment
?
Award for the Best Urdu Blogger was given to Danish Nama, which Blog is even not familiar for the Urdu Bloggers Community. Similarly Award for the Best Urdu Blogger on merit was given to a forum not a blog. I think jury should answer about their criteria.
[...] An open letter to CIO / Pc World Pakistan By admin | December 28, 2011 December 27th, 2011 | 4 Comments [...]
My question – and I ask this more as an unbiased manner – Why the sore looser attitude – Had if PTH picked this question with irregularity on the Urdu category or any other blatant problem. but when you are seen whining about loosing in your own category …. it reduces the overall impact of the argument you are making
That said mind you I have little doubt that if I were to choose between PTH & the little known ZaViews – I would choose PTH hands down – literally there is no comparison…. but please dont act like a sore looser, i warned everyone even in the Out of Bounds show with FK – not to be sore loosers
Its not about PTH winning or losing awab.. its about the principle of fairness. Since you think this is sore loser attitude and recognize the fact that the urdu category might have an irregularity in it why dont you speak up for the urdu category. Whats holding you back?? We might be sore losers but what are you?
… for one im not a looser
im a BAGHI, mein Baghi hoon
im ok at speaking up but guide me to the areas you suspect let me do a critical analysis – bottomline is giving out awards is hazardous in Pakistan – if i were to receive such out-lash id simply walk away –
Before we criticize the awards, it is better to understand the judging process. It was mentioned earlier on that judges decision will be final and they can award a lesser known blog for encouragement instead of well-known blogs. The possibility was there and I saw that happening in my own category (Best Social Activist Blog) when a blog received merit award despite the fact it didn’t even had 10 entries for this whole year (it was last updated in October after a gap of 3 months).
Rather than criticizing CIO or any other entity, I would rather ask them who are the judges (names have not been published on PBA website) and know if they really had any idea about blogging or not.
Once a blogger is awarded, he/she has been awarded and that’s the end of the story. I didn’t win, I don’t really worry about it. If my writing is making any impact, I am perfectly happy with that and award is just a perk that can be lived without. But I would suggest PTH to criticize any other category than their own and even before doing that, ask for the list of judges and then decide if writing such a letter is worth it or not.
The rather fantastically named Pakistan Blog Awards need to live up to a much higher standard if they are going to be truly considered as a serious award. The judges credentials and their method of adjudicating should be transparent. The way this Award has been conducted feels very much like a cottage affair. Awarding the award to obscure blogs without obvious merits is going to attract valid criticism. The intent may be to provide recognition to blogging in general and to encourage the weak but then be explicit about the aims of the award. Given the apparent intent, just rename it as something other than the Pakistan blog award; that title implies a selection of the best that Pakistani blogging has to offer.
A good deed should be considered its own reward — and no formal reward is needed.
After all, I write so many pieces — some even posted here — where is MY reward?!!
What the hell is a “looser” Awab. As a PTI budding leader you disappoint me by defending nepotism and a clear case of corruption.
Dear PAK TEA HOUSE team.
Your criticism is laughable. You people are showing a very childish attitude. One must accept his defeat like a gentlemen. I am a regular visitor of your blog. At the time when blog award voting line was open, your blog was quite out dated with clutter of un-relevant stories in which majority was a copy-paste version of Indian authors.
Pak Tea House was an intellectual cafe in Lahore, Pakistan. It has been closed now. Now it only exists in history. By just taking a name of famous PAK TEA HOUSE (restaurant) of Lahore, you can’t expect that much UN-DUE fame for your blog.
Secondly you got just 30-40 votes where as the winner blog has 500+ votes under his belt. Then how your blog could expect first prize?
Takecare
Admir Hozdic
hey you have to acknowledge that ceremonies create “winners” and “losers”.
In my honest (and humble) opinion this is not the point of quality of content or number of writers u have. Decision for all categories were supposedly made on number of votes casted.
Most people don’t complain because they don’t get “awards”, they moan and complain because they see that they have been made “losers”.
Life is not fair get used to it…..
The judging citeria on the blog awards website says the decision will be based on a blogs history among other things. It is rather funny to see the history of certain blogs tht have won and i am not speaking of te current affairs category only. We might call pth losers because we think they are crying over spilt milk but infact we are doing this because they are the only ones who have to date dared to speak up against the karachi mafia of blogistan.
If indeed pc world and its various cronies are so transparent and fair
1) How are the judges still not announced?
2) why is there so much silence from the top bloggers of karachi, they are usually singing praises for days after each cio/pc world event?
3) who has given pc world the authority to claim they represent new media in pakistan?
4) why did so many ppl who attended last year decide not to re attemd the pba?
5) how was a political party allowed to hijack new and free media and ask everyone to atten their jalsa?
6) The same organization has in the past associated with the us embassy to bring pksms to karachi – woukd someone tell us in how many countries have foreign counsulates sponsered blogger meetups and would could be their reasons to do so??
these are just some questions..there are many more out there that lead to darker things. The fact is..it is the right of any stakeholder to ask a valid question from an org who is displaying to the world that they represent this community.
Here is my personal opinion with the PBA (which some people kindly nominated me for and I am extremely grateful for). I think they are absolutely fantastic not only for sharing resources, but also people reaching out and saying kind things about others and the impact their work has had on their own personal practice. How could you not love that?
I go through all of the nominees and usually add them to my reader; as it is a great way to find some awesome content.
Here is my problem; why do we need an award to do this?
it is not about winning or losing, it is about learning and being a learner………
I kinda remember the other battle in the same regard b/w the contenders Ilimkidunyia.com and toffeetv.com It was hilarious how toffeetv won and a custom built huge information site like ilimkidunyia failed ! … I guess you are no different.
There is no crying when u r bowled out and there is no complaining or campaigning in Twitter /Blogging.
I have been blogging for a year and am a newbie to Twitter. Twitter has changed my world. I love the PBA – for one thing because it has turned me on to so many people expressing stuff to inspire and educate.
I like that comments which suggest to promote those blogs of the lesser known.
Don’t waste time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind.
Be brave enough to accept a defeat…….winning and losing is all part of a competition……
it’s unfair zaviews i love it it gives lot of information and it deserve an award we have won it no matter what they say as they have lost and pba shld know it as they announced ” ZAVIEWS” THEN Y THEY ARE IN SUCH DIFFICULTIES accept it )
hello co-editor iam here to inform you that za views aka news has won the award for best currentaffairs blog then why you aren’t accepting now nothing could be reversed now dissapointed to see you say that
If the PBA team are sensible, they will take on board the points raised and improve their judges, transparency and standards. I don’t think it’s about being a sore loser – an easy and unthinking accusation to throw at someone without engaging with their complaint.
We should collectively all strive to make sure the new media in Pakistan is recognised for excellence- that does not necessarily mean an award giving body needs to be a closed shop of the best of the best but it does need to set its award judgement criteria and the judge’s decision should therefore speak for itself. These judges and this process has clearly left the nominees confused.
If giving amateur awards is the objective, that’s great but then set your stall out as catering to newcomers and amateurs. Let us know that that’s what you aim to encourage and that is the criteria.
I also don’t like this Karachi versus the rest accusation. Let’s focus on how to make it better and not just brush complaints under the carpet or indulge in ad hominem attacks.
[...] An open letter to CIO / Pc World Pakistan [...]
Don’t waste time on jealousy
The judges judged
the voters voted
even being nominated is such an achievement!!!
Once a blogger is awarded, he/she has been awarded and that’s the end of the story
I had a blog post along similar lines. I see both sides of the awards issue here. If it helps promote blogs in general, connects people with some new voices, awesome. That’s when it’s at its best. But I get creeped out by the “vote for me” stuff.
That’s where sharing becomes promotion. I certainly promote my blog by tweeting out links to new posts because I want feedback and hope people find it useful. But tweeting out ‘vote for me” is like saying, “Hey everyone, please tell me how awesome I am”
I’m sure some disagree but that’s my take.
I am not sure anyone would even care about the award list if it were not a competition…
For disclosure purposes, I have been nominated for PBA continously for last 2 years. I don’t campaign for myself. I am just happy that I was being nominated & someone thinks my work is worth recognition.
Learn to give credit others for their work…….. and stop criticizing
“I like to vote, but not be voted on. I don’t mind losing one on one, but to lose through a vote means the majority think I’m a loser.”
Jarood Kitz
Hi,
Yasser Latif,
You have written “An open letter to CIO / Pc World Pakistan”, but I want to ask you why YOU are complaining on behalf pakteahouse where as your OWN contribution in term of materials/articles is ZERO? You are just so-called member of pakteahouse. Since pakteahouse blog is formed you have shared only one story in 2010 and that one was also copied from Daily Times newspaper. (anyone can check this by searching “yasser latif” on pakteahouse blog).
Where are your own write-ups?
YOU DON’T HAVE EVEN A RIGHT TO COMPLAIN.
You must never be satisfied with losing. You can get angry, terribly angry, about losing. But the mark of the good loser is that he takes his anger out on himself and not his victorious opponents.”
Dont act like Paki politican, who complains on every defeat… & feels that only time election was fair when they get elected….
A typical desi loser attitude….
It is always advisable to be a loser if you cannot become a winner
notice how those criticizing and calling YLH a loser are doing so with fake names…lol.. btw ppl we log ips here..
Dear PTH,
I would have appreciated if you people had shown mature reaction instead of weeping like a new born baby. Letter shows that you people blog for awards not for the much needed change that our society must attain. Please grow up…….!!!
Dear Editor
According to defination a LOSER is a person or thing that loses or has lost something, especially a game or contest.
Tell one valid logical reason for not calling PTH a loser……
Move ahead and get mature…..recognition are not depended on getting a award or reward….
When we able to learn defeat??? ….. Living far from there & still I am seeing people are not getting mature… I must say I constantly visit PTH & other blogs for enlightening myself with some positive information about current affairs….but it is sad to know that existence of this blog is merely for an award…
Same people openly criticize politician for same attitude.
Aziz mian… search Yasser Latif Hamdani in the search section. Your comment smacks of ignorance.
Here you go Aziz mian …see the results for yourself since you are technologically challenged. http://pakteahouse.net/?s=yasser+latif+hamdani
If my contribution to Pakteahouse is zero then how am I the most prolific writer here?
Next time do a search before making such erroneous claims.
Aziz Mian,
YLH’s quantitative contribution to PTH is indeed great! Once in a while he has also written a few useful things, may be a rarity but it is not zero!
@YLH: Being a co-editor of PTH, you took 72 hours to publish stories of other people (in back dates) with you OWN name.Just give me admin rights for 30 minutes, I can produce 500+ fake articles (like yours) with MY own name. It is a challenge.
YLH
You recently wrote THREE articles on JINNAH in DAILY TIMES
.
Why didnt you post them here AS you used to do earlier
Ok Aziz mian… you are clearly not alright mentally. So I’ll let this go.
Pankaj,
PTH has changed the policy. We don’t re-publish anything included articles appearing in the national press by Raza Rumi, myself, Dasghar and everyone else. PTH only posts original posts written for PTH.
Typical LOOSER attitude…
“Jab koi jawab nahi aya to kaha chalo hum baat nahi kartay “
Koi bbat nahi beta haarnay k bad aysa ho jata hai. Loli – pop kahow gay kiya ? Kasam say paisay nahi lon ga …
Mian … my association with PTH and my articles here are well known. I don’t know what to say to your accusation that I went back and faked the articles that are on the record.
All I can say is that you are not very balanced.
@YLH:
Did you get any response from CIO Pakistan against your complaint? I am also a victim of their bad judgment. I think the only criteria judges have used was voting count. BTW who were the judges? Any news.
Secondly I think AZIZ point was valid. Two days ago when I searched your name on PTH, I also found just one post under your credit. But now too many articles are showing with your name. Could you please tell us the secret behind this? Lol …
Well I can’t speak for the search engine frankly but anyone who is familiar with the LUBP v PakTeaHouse controversy, or our pitched fork battles with Kashif Hafeez Siddiqui knows how stupid this allegation is.
Are you suggesting that I went back and faked all these articles in the last two days?
Amazing… what imagination some of you people have. Perhaps it is time for Aziz mian and yourself to shut the computer down and take a walk in the park.
Attacking ylh is not what this space is for. Anyone who think ylh is not a contributor here is foolish
He is one of the most valuable and focused writers i know. Hes a prolific contributor and has the balls to speak for
Issues that he warrants are important do you? Anyone asking cio anything becomes a agent or a sore loser
Who gave cio the authority to represent new media in pakistan? Think a bit before you comment any other personal attacks and you will be banned.
Pak Tea House Co-editor can’t be so much narrow minded. If u have desire to win the contest you should work for it more step forward than Zaviews NEWS Blog. I know it’s hurt when we losses, but I think you never know it’s hurt more when Eggo is the objective over the Main task. So please take a breath have a cup of tea and accept the winner in front of your Eggo.
Every human have some qualities, I think you also have some but being a good human you should be happy for Zaview News blog and raise hand for friendship towards him so u can learn some thing more from him and let he also learn something from you. Winning and losing is the part of life.
I appreciate your courage and interest, but your method to achieve success is wrong. Hope you understand my view.
Have a nice day
Regards
MZKhan
As the other co editor of PTH, let me clarify here that YLH has contributed a loot to PTH…in fact more than anyone else..
lets get this clear.YLH is an asset and one can see his contributions..
Look if someone thinks that we should not have written this letter, ok that is their right, but please do not mke these assertions that he has not contributed..
Even this post, was written by him because he feels strongly for PTH..
Regards
Raza Habib Raja
@FaiSal
JHENGAY! How dare you? Who has given you a right to called someone foolish? Next time be careful in your word selection OK.
BTW why are you defending YLH? Don’t he has his own tongue?
Mind your own business otherwise I will teach you lesson which you will never forget. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSER!
O mirzaiyyo tum paisay or award kai liay kia kia kero gai?
mirzay ki shakal itni lanat daal di gai jis ki koi hed nahi…
here you go
http://www.hacklejackle.blogspot.com/
[...] Paktea house writes an open letter to CIO about criteria and questions its own nomination and win c… That there is no topic or event that can be termed “current affairs” which has not been covered by the PakTeaHouse blog. The same cannot be said for ZAVIEWS AKA NEWS. Even a cursory glance on the topics covered at the PakTeaHouse and ZAVIEWS AKA NEWS makes it abundantly clear that while the PakTeaHouse blog has covered everything from war on terror to memogate and from persecution of minorities to the periodic Veena Malik scandals, ZAVIEWS AKA NEWS falls short on each count [...]
[...] Open Letter to CIO / PC World (Pak Tea House) [...]