CNN applies for uplink permission
BBC, other foreign news channels yet to get show-cause notices.
ISLAMABAD: The Cable News Network (CNN) is learnt to have become the first foreign channel to approach Pakistan’s media watchdog, asking its permission on Sunday for satellite uplink facility.
On May 7, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) suspended uplink facility of nine foreign satellite news channels, including Fox News, NBC News, CNN, CNS, IBN, BBC, Al Jazeera, Voice of America (VoA) and Sky News for violation of section 31 of PEMRA ACT, 2007.
The authority’s director, public relations, told this correspondent: ‘CNN (Â’s representative) had approached (the authority) and asked for permission of airing its transmission.’
On the other hand, some channels said they had still not received the show-cause notices.
BBC’s Haroon Rasheed said that they were still waiting for Pemra’s notice.
“Unless we get the show-cause notice, I am not in a position to comment,” said Rasheed.
When asked for comments over the delay in serving the show-cause notice, the Pemra official sad: “They must have received the notices by today.”
The federal information minister had earlier told the National Assembly: “The immediate suspension of the signals of these international news channels has been made to preserve Pemra rules.”
But observers are linking the decision to Pakistani government and military’s unease over the coverage of perceived failures of security agencies in detecting Bin LadenÂ’s presence in Abbottabad.
Pemra issues temporary uplink permits for the coverage of events live from Pakistan for a specific event and time period.
Source: The Express Tribune
Date:5/9/2011
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