Only Pak firms allowed to set up private channels
ISLAMABAD- Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), Mian Muhammad Jawed said that the regulatory authority would only issue licenses to Pakistani firms to set up private television and radio channels.
The chairman said that the regulatory authority is all set to issue licenses to the private television channels, radio transmission stations and cable networks, by July.
To a question about the issuance of license to Overseas Pakistanis, he said they would be allowed after having a firm registered in Pakistan because under Pemra rules, only Pakistani firms would be eligible for setting up private television and radio networks.
The authority, besides processing regulations for the private sector media institutions will also set criteria and fee structure for issue of licenses to enable it run its financial as well as administrative set up as an independent body.
A vital question before the government right now was to set parameters for the private sector electronic media in presentation of news and views and for this purpose rules of business were under study.
Mian Muhammad Jawed further said that the private sector television and radio channels would telecast and broadcast news and views independently while keeping themselves within the code of ethics to be included in writing before getting license.
Regarding freedom to channels, he said, “Pemra high ups are confident that sufficient independence will be available to the media channels while keeping within certain religious and cultural norms as well as national interests.”
“Pemra is also seized with the issue of distribution of frequencies to each licensee in accordance with its category and the area of coverage,” he revealed.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:5/31/2002
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