Pakistan has no media policy: Pemra chief
LAHORE, April 18 2006: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Chairman Iftikhar Rasheed said on Monday Pakistan had no media policy. Speaking at “Meet the Press” at the Lahore Press Club, he said that it was also surprising for the Prime Minister when he was told about this fact. He said that the media policy would be introduced very soon to regulate media affairs.
He said after the policy, the Pemra would be able to take action against cable operators involved in telecasting obscene or illegal channels. He said it would also provide guidelines for local and foreign television channels and they would be able to take action against all illegal activities of Radio and TV channels as well as cable operators.
Iftikhar said that an Indian channel was banned; however, it had applied for landing rights with the Pemra. Replying a question, the chairman said that cable operators are allowed to telecast their advertisement only on their own five channels. LPC president Arshad Ansari, Secretary Shoaib Uddin Ahmad was also present. He said that Pemra was going to introduce Direct-To-Home (DTH) system, which would minimise the role of cable operators.
The Parma chairman said that the contract of this system had been given to two companies after bidding and the system would be launched in one year. Through this system people would have to buy a receiver to watch channels through a direct link of satellite, he said. However, he added that this system would not completely eliminate the role of cable operators, as a number of people could not afford the receiver of Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 and fee of the Pemra.
He said that through this system, the Pemra would download the system and then they would relay the channel after censor. He said that it would improve the quality of reception of channels. This system is functioning in India successfully. Iftikhar said that licences have been issued for FM Radio stations in each district. He hoped that all districts would have FM radio in one year. He said that purpose of an FM station is to cover local sides therefore they have been restrained to broadcast international live news. However they can cover local news and events, he added.
Source: The News
Date:4/18/2006
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