Pemra to launch drive against unhealthy media practices | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pemra to launch drive against unhealthy media practices

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has set to launch a drive against unhealthy media practices in violation of the set laws.

In the Regional General Managers (RGMs) Conference held at the Pemra Headquarters here on Thursday, Pemra resolved to take stern action against all those broadcast/distribution operators involved in violating the Pemra laws and code of conduct.

The Executive Member of Pemra, Dr Abdul Jabbar, issued directives to all the RGMs not to tolerate any violation, which is perceived unacceptable by the viewers or against the very essence of the Pemra laws. He asked all the RGMs to ensure that the broadcast media and the distribution networks should work within the defined parameters under the ambit of the Pemra laws.

A press release said important decisions were taken during the meeting, including to off-air illegal/unregistered foreign channels on the distribution networks, which were, otherwise, bringing disrepute to the regulator.

During the meeting, issues like the growing menace of piracy, non-adherence to intellectual property laws and flooding of illegal decoder/cards in markets were also discussed. The Pemra executive member urged to take up the issue with other relevant government agencies to devise a comprehensive plan in order to curb such menaces.

Besides, a serious notice was taken about the airing of illegal health-related advertisements of quacks on the broadcast media. During the conference, emphasis was laid on protection of viewers’ rights and it was decided to impose a penalty on all those satellite channels airing excessive advertisements beyond their permissible limit under the Pemra rules.
Source: The News
Date:3/19/2010