Pakistan Broadcasters Association expresses grave concern at unprecedented situation its members are facing
Karachi, Nov 7 PPI: Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) in emergency meeting of its Founding Members on Tuesday expressed grave concern at “unprecedented situation that its members are facing.”
The step of forcing cable operators to off air all news channels except for state broadcaster is not in consonance with norms of natural justice and human rights. PBA members are being punished for anticipated action rather than for anything that they have done. PBA condemns this arbitrary act.
PEMRA amended Ordinance No. LXV of 2007 promulgated along with issuance of Provisional Constitution Order 2007 is serious attempt to stifle, strangulate freedom of speech, expression, freedom of information of general public at large. Blanket powers have been given to PEMRA to seize broadcast or distribution service equipment or seal premises of licensee under garb of public interest.
In addition, further unbridled powers have been given to PEMRA and its Chairman to direct without notice, closure of any broadcast or distribution network for such period as it may determine. The violation of amendments by media channel owner is liable to be punished up to three years imprisonment or with a fine which may extend to Rs 10 million or with both. In case of violation by distribution service licensee or its representative, they are liable to be punished up to one year imprisonment or with fine up to Rs 5 million or with both. This amended ordinance is also applicable to entertainment programming in addition to news and current affairs.
All news channels and other entertainment channels have been proscribed without any justification and cogent reason. All licensees of PEMRA and members of PBA were already complying with PEMRA laws, rules and regulations made there under including terms
and conditions of license. After promulgation of amended Ordinance, there was no further justification to pass any directions to cable operators to proscribe private TV channels throughout the country.
On one hand, Government is promulgating amended Ordinance for PEMRA licensees to strictly adhere to it but on the other, unjustified proscription orders were issued to off air private TV and radio channels.
PBA condemn amended Ordinance and proscription of private TV channels throughout Pakistan. It also condemns raids and seizer of broadcast, distribution equipments of various licensees to
pressurize, harass private TV, radio channels and cable TV operators. Role of private TV channels in this era is highly informative, educational with different genre of mix programming
including sports. entertainment, so in this way, not only public at large has been deprived from viewing favorite TV channels but at same time, licensees of PEMRA and PBA members are also suffering huge monetary losses due to unlawful proscription of their TV and Radio Channels.
They are facing serious hardship and unable to fulfill various obligations towards advertisers, and in other contractual obligations. In case, proscription is not withdrawn immediately, both public as well as PEMRA licensees shall be seriously prejudiced.
PBA members were gravely perturbed at threats received by its Chairman Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman. They called on government to protect lives and property of all PBA members. They gave authority to its chairman to form a committee to make all-out efforts to get broadcasters resume transmission, and ensure no action is taken under amended PEMRA Ordinance.
PBA appealed to President of Pakistan to issue immediate instructions to PEMRA and other government machinery to immediately withdraw proscription orders of private TV, radio channels and also return all seized/ confiscated equipment of broadcasters and TV Operators forthwith. PBA also appealed to President to withdraw Ordinance which is totally unjustified and irrational.
ENDS PPI.
Source: PPI
Date:11/8/2007
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