• October 13, 2016
• Front Page, Publications and Reports
• Web Desk

PEMRA decided a crackdown against illegal Indian DTH

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has decided to start a crackdown against illegal Indian Direct-to-Home (DTH) from October 15.

The News and Jang on October 3 reported that PEMRA Chairman Absar Alam said that civil and army intelligence, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has decided to start a joint operation to end the illegal Indian DTH business. Absar Alam further added that a powerful gang is involved in this business and the previous government has not taken any step in this regard although the present government had formed a policy to stop this illegal business and the operation will start from October 15.

PEMRA allowed airing Indian content on condition

PEMRA has decided to allow the airing of Indian TV channels and content only if India allow to air Pakistani content.

Samaa on October 3 aired a breaking news while The Nation, The Express Tribune, Dawn and Jang on October 4 and The News on October 5 reported that the 119^th meeting of PEMRA held under the chairmanship of Absar Alam on October 3 and it was decided in the meeting that PEMRA will only allow to air Indian content if India will also air Pakistani content.

The Authority also discussed former president Pervez Musharraf regime’s strategies regarding consent to air Indian contents on Pakistani media. On the recommendation of Musharraf, the then prime minister Shaukat Aziz had introduced a policy and allowed the local media to broadcast the Indian contents under that policy.

The Authority moved a summary to federal government requesting them to revoke Shaukar Aziz era’s policy because it proved negative to Pakistani film, drama and arts industry in last several years and also asked all TV channels to telecast only six percent Indian content till the police revokes.

PEMRA has powers to revoke licenses of channels

PEMRA has allotted the powers to its Chairman Absar Alam to cancel or suspend the license of TV channels, cable operators and FM radio under Section 30 (3) of the PEMRA Ordinance.

Aaj News aired a ticker and detailed news, ARY News aired a headline on October 4, Express News on October 5 aired headline while The Nation, Dawn, Express Tribune, The News, Pakistan Today, Business Recorder and Nawa-i-Waqt on October 5 reported that while speaking at a debate on ‘Foreign Entertainment Content on Pakistani TV Channels’ organized by the United Producers Association (UPA), Chairman PEMRA said that PEMRA can revoke or the license of television channels airing Indian content more than the allocated quota of 6 percent including the repeat telecast per day after the deadline of October 15.

He also announced to completely ban Urdu dubbed content broadcasted by foreign channels having landing rights, only Urdu subtitles will be allowed.

CM of KPK and G-B assured their support to PEMRA

Daily Nation on October 6 published a four column news story by it reporter highlighting the assurances given by the governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) to support PEMRA in its drive against Indian Direct to Home (DTH) satellite services.  According to the report the drive against sellers as well as buyers of Indian DTH would start from October 15.

The news report by reporter Nokhaiz Sahi was based on the separate meetings of PEMRA chairman Absar Alam with KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and GB Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeez Rehman as well as letters written to federal government, chief secretaries of all provinces, Azad and Jammu Kashmir government, State Bank of Pakistan, Federal Investigation Agency, Pakistan Telecom Authority and provincials police heads under PEMRA Ordinance Section 33-A and drew their attention towards illegal sale of Indian DTH in different areas of the country.

The news report only covered the official version and did include input from the cable operators or television channel.

The Express Tribune on October 6 also published an article entitled “Ban on Indian Content” in which the writer discussed the decision of PEMRA to ban Indian content announced on October 4. The writer also highlighted the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan and how the India has involved Pakistani artists in this issue which has no concern with artists. Keeping in mind the India’s steps against Pakistani artists the writer has declared the decision of PEMRA to ban Indian content as right decision.

PEMRA to take action against violators of law

PEMRA announced that strict action would be taken against channels airing foreign content beyond the given limit.

Dawn, Neo News on October 6 aired tickers while The News and Dawn on October 7 reported that PEMRA Chairman Absar Alam has charged four-five anchors were offending journalism by doing stunts in their talk shows and damaging the image of the country. While addressing at a meeting of authority’s Council of Complaints (CoC) Chairman pointed out that how few anchors were predicting war between India and Pakistan he said, “Some media channels are not doing journalism and anchors have become political actors”

The Meeting also condemned the offensive behavior of an anchor and former bureaucrat with Chairman of CoCs, Lahore Dr Mehdi Hasan during a hearing. Punjab government had already formed a committee to investigate the incident.

Armed attack on Aaj News reporter

Samaa on October 6 aired a ticker and Business Recorder on October 7 reported that the reporter of Aaj News, Mujeeb Tarin sustained injuries in an attack in Pishin, Baluchistan on October 6. The reporter was then taken to Civil Hospital in Quetta for treatment. Residents of the area caught one of the attackers and handed him over to the police.

PTI’s letter to PEMRA against Geo News

ARY News on October 4 aired a ticker and on October 5 aired a news that PTI had written a letter to PEMRA which states that Geo News did wrong reporting of 30th September procession. The letter demanded immediate action against channel for creating sensationalism and distracting the public. The channel reported that during the procession trespassing act with woman happened which is not factual.

The story does not contain the elements of fairness, accuracy, balance and pluralism because it only covers one side of the story and the criticized channel was not provided with an opportunity to defend them. The channel also did not examine all the sources and viewpoints of the related persons.

Cable Operators Association announced to ban Indian channels

Cable Operators Association of Pakistan has staged a ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ rally from Seaview to Karachi Press Club against the Indian aggression and to show solidarity with Pakistan Army on October 2.

Roznama Express on October 3 reported that a large number of cable operators participated in the rally.  Cable Operators Association’s chairman Khalid Arayen condemned the Indian aggression against Pakistan, announced to boycott Indian culture and band Indian channels. He also urged Pakistani Television to stop airing Indian content in their channels to show solidarity with Pakistan.

SC ask for government’s answer in Maalik movie ban case

The Supreme Court (SC) has asked for government’s inclusive response regarding objectionable part of the controversial film ‘Maalik’ that was banned all over the country for showing the assassination of a government officer by his personal security guard.

Dawn and Jang on October 7 while The Nation, Express Tribune, Dawn, Nawa-i-Waqt, Dunya on October 8 reported that a two-judge bench consisting of Justices Umar Atta Bandial and Qazi Faez Isa had taken up a federal government plea against the Sindh High Court’s order of September 9 to cancel the government’s notice de-certifying the censor certificate under Section 9 of the Motion Pictures Ordinance 1979.

Dawn and Jang reported the news story on October 7 have not examined all the sources but the newspapers covering the story on October 8 have mentioned the statements of multiple sources related to the story.

Accused involved in Express News van arrested

Jaag News on October 4 aired a ticker while Roznama Express on October 7 reported that, police conducted raids in different areas and arrested 14 persons including 8 injured. Police also arrested a terrorist of Kal-adamLashkar-e-Jhangvi who was involved in the attack on Express News van.

Audit report asked to investigate the matter of irregular appointments in PTV, Nadra

Dawn on October 8 reported that an audit report of the financial year 2015-16 exposed that the Pakistan Television (PTV) and National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has made irregular appointments which resulted in a loss of millions of rupees to the national coffer.

According to the report, PTV made several appointments without following the rules and directives given by Supreme Court. PTV made 51 appointments without publicity and advertisement and this in turn resulted in irregular charges of Rs 43.71 million on the account of salary of these employees. On October 13, 2015, the issue was reported to the PTV management but no response was received. Although the audit asked to investigate the matter and check the reasons for these appointments without which violated the rules of the Supreme Court.

Nadra also made appointments without publicity and the selected officers did not even posses the qualification needed according to the rules and this resulted in irregular charges of Rs 48 million

The reported should have mentioned defending statements from the criticized organizations PTV and Nadra.

Armed men tried to enter private channel office

Intekhab on October 8 reported a story which states that unidentified armed men tried to enter the office of a private TV channel although guards stopped them and they succeeded to run away.

Roznama Express on October 8 while Nawa-i-Waqt on October 8 and 9 reported that Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister Maula Bux Chandio has condemned the incident of armed men tried to enter the office of a TV channel and also summoned a report of the incident from the concerned officers. In a statement Chandio ordered to provide complete security to the media houses and said that Sindh government and People’s Party believe in free media.

The newspapers covering the above mentioned story did not mentioned most important facts related to the story i.e, the name of TV channel.

CPNE announced formation of Women Editor’s Committee

Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) President Zia Shahid has announced the formation of CPNE Women Editor’s Committee.

Intekhab, Roznama Pakistan, Roznama Express and Amn on October 3 reported that according to a statement issued by CPNE the approval of the committee was given in the recent meeting of CPNE Standing Committee. The purpose of the committee is to highlight problems that female journalists face in the media. The committee consists of 10 members, Chief Editor of Roznama Wisaj Zahida Abbassi is appointed as the chairperson while Chief Editor of Mahnama Balochistan Inside Tania Baloch appointed as the deputy chairperson of the committee.

CPNE announced a Climate Change Award for journalists

CPNE has announced to give “Climate Change Award” to journalists in different categories for reporting different aspects of climate change.

The News on October 5 while Pakistan Today on October 7 reported that while speaking at the focus group discussion on Strengthening Governance of Climate Change Finance’ at the CPNE Secretariat, Vice president of CPNE Sindh Chapter Amir Mahmood said, “The CPNE is determined to increase awareness of reporters, subeditors and other media persons regarding climate change finance in Pakistan,”

Dr Jabbar Khattak, chairman of the CPNE Projects and Programmes Committee said that the aim of focus group discussion is bring journalists and editors at one platform and increase their awareness about climate change.

SUJ announced the elections in October

Roznama Pakistan on October 4 reported that the session of Sukkur Union of Journalists (SUJ) held under the president ship of JavedMemon. Other members of SUJ also participated in the session and discussed the problems that journalists of SUJ and other journalists of Sukkur are facing. While talking to the participant’s, President JavedMemon also announced elections in the units from October.

Awami Press Club Malir Elections

Intekhab on October 6 reported that senior journalist Saami Memon elected as the President while Farooq Banghora elected as the Vice President of Awami Press Club. Javed Jokhio won the seat of General Secretary, M. Zaman Jokhio joint secretary, Jameel Jokhio treasurer and Qadir Dar elected as office secretary.

The reporter in this story should have mentioned the statements from the elected president and vice-president.

MQM spokesperson condemned the baseless allegations against MQM

Amn on October 5 reported that a spokesperson of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) condemned the baseless allegations made by an analyst in programme of private television channel and also demands from PEMRA and the channel to take action against the analyst.

The story presented only one-sided views of MQM and has not mentioned the name of TV channel, programme or analyst.

Other media related news

ARY News on October 6 aired breaking news which covers the hearing of case against appointment of Chairman PEMRA. Complainants said AbsarAlamdon’t deserve to be the chairman of PEMRA.

ARY News aired a ticker on October 3 which reported that, All Parties Conference (APC) organized by Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) against Indian aggression and it was demanded to ban the Indian dramas and films on cinema and channels.

Express News aired ticker, Neo News aired breaking news on October 7 while ARY News, Dunya aired tickers and Geo News aired detailed news on October 8 which covered that MQM’s Gulfaraz Khattak arrested in media house attack case.

Neo News on October 5 aired breaking news and headline which covered that Indian hackers have warned Neo News to hack their website. Neo News became the voice of Kashmiri’s and disclosed India’s propaganda.

Amn on October 6 reported that Federal Information and Broadcasting minister Pervez Rasheed said that, media is playing its vital role against terrorism because of which terrorists are not getting success in their plan. Police have always given sacrifices for the safety and security of country and public.

Amn on October 8 reported that senior journalist of Kotri has submitted a complaint application to SSP Jamshoro Tariq Wilayat in which he blamed influential persons for threatening to kill him because of which he is not feeling secure. The journalists have also staged a protest against this incident at Kotri Press Club.

Roznama Pakistan on October 9 reported that Lahore Press Club has a submitted a report which states that related authorities have banned media coverage in the airport near Lahore High Court which is against the basic human rights and law. Court shield immediately take notice of the matter and lift the ban on media.The writer of the story should have mentioned the names and statements of related authorities who banned media coverage.

During the week PPF monitored 32 news, tickers, headlines and programs related to Pakistani media that were covered in the following television channels – 92 News, Aaj News, Abb Takk, ARY News, Capital TV, Dawn News, Dunya News, Express News, Geo News, Jaag News, Khyber News, KTN, Neo News, News One, Samaa and TV One.

There were 55 news stories, editorials, articles and photographs published in 16 daily English and Urdu language newspapers in that include Dawn, The News, The Nation, Express Tribune, Business Recorder, Pakistan Today, Regional Times, Jang, Dunya, Roznama Express, Nawa-i-Waqt, Pakistan, Intikhab, Quami Akhbar, Amn, Roznama Pakistan.