Pemra council recommends fine on private TV channel
ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority Council of Complaints yesterday recommends fine on a private TV Channel on charges of incitement against democratic setup.
PEMRA Council of Complaints, Islamabad in its 32nd meeting held under the Chair of Professor Shamim Humayun recommended imposition of Rs100,000 fine on ARY News on charges of incitement for dislodgement of democratic setup.
While hearing the complaint lodged by Shanila Sikandar against ARY News program “Sawal Ye Hai” hosted by Dr Danish, the Council took serious cognizance of the act of host appealing to Army Chief to come and take over the country and topple the democratic setup.
The Council opined: “the channel be fined with Rs100,000/- and a Warning be issued for airing content that incite dislodgement of the democratic setup, debasing and demeaning a group of persons in violation of Clause 3(1)(b) of Code of Conduct-2015 implemented by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
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The Council also recommended PEMRA to issue an Advice to all satellite TV channels to refrain from using derogatory words against persons and the institutions.
Whereas, in another complaint of Aviation Division against ARY News, the Council directed issuing Warning to ARY for maligning the government functionaries, including Aviation Division and its attached departments and for airing allegation without credible information and not affording a fair opportunity to defend the victims.
The council also directed ARY News to air apology and rebuttal in the same manner and magnitude during prime time within 15 days for airing false/incorrect information.
In case of failure to comply with the directives, the Council has recommended PEMRA to proceed against the ARY News channel as per law.
While hearing the complaint lodged by Dr.
Taimur Rahman, Assistant Professor, Political Science, LUMS against program titled ‘At Q with Ahmed Qureshi’ the Council recommended issuing Warning to Express News Channel for airing content containing hatred against Dr.
Taimur and leveling allegations without credible information and for not giving complainant a fair opportunity of self defense while airing allegations against the victim and calling him directly or indirectly the enemy of Pakistan.
The Council also recommended issuing Advice to all satellite TV licencees to strictly refrain from calling a person anti-Pakistan, traitor, anti-Islam, kafir, enemy of Pakistan, or using racial and religious discriminatory words, etc.
against any citizen of the state.
However, the complaint of a lady against Samaa TV Channel for an attempt to scandalize her during live press conference of PTI leader Imran Khan dated January 15, 2016, was disposed off since the complainant has withdrawn its complaint against the channel.
Other Members of the Council including Prof Dr Maqsood Jafri, Dr Shah Jahan Sayed and Amjad Ali Afridi (RGM/Secretary, CoCs, Islamabad) were also present in the meeting.
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