Pemra proposes stakeholders meeting
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has denied a news item published in a section of the press on Monday with regards to closure and change in channel position of Geo TV on different cable TV networks across the country.
It was alleged in the news story that on the instructions of the government, various cable TV operators have either closed the transmission of Geo TV channel or have placed it at later positions where the channels reception was not up to the marks and viewers were deprived of watching their favourite entertainment channel.
It is clarified that the government has not issued any such instructions either to Pemra or to cable TV operators for closure of the channelÂ’s transmission or chanting its position, said a Pemra press release.
However, it said, on the complaint of M/s Independent Media Corporation Pvt Ltd, Chairman, Pemra has personally spoken to the office bearers of various cable TV operators associations and has issued strict warnings to restore the transmission of satellite TV channel Geo Entertainment in accordance with the prescribed rules and policy.
Besides, legal notices have been served to all those cable TV operators who have been indulged in disturbing transmission of Geo Entertainment on October 10, it said.
“The authority has already taken cognizance of this issue and has been taking strict measures to ensure distribution of all its licensed TV channels on cable TV networks without any obstruction,” said the press release.
Moreover, it said, various meetings were held with all the stakeholders, regarding carriage and channel positioning on cable TV networks.
An important meeting on this issue was held on October 4, where all cable operators were instructed to ensure carriage and positioning of all major satellite TV channels at their rightful position in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court and not to disturb placement of any channel till the finalisation of carriage and placement policy of channels after consultation with all stakeholders. A consultation paper prepared on this particular issue was also floated on Pemra’s website, soliciting comments from all the stakeholders, it said.
APP adds: Furthermore, it added, Pemra has also proposed a meeting of all stakeholders and a letter in this regard has been sent to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on October 7, for devising a mutually acceptable policy on carriage and placement of channels on distribution networks, so that the blame game could be avoided in future. Pemra has utmost respect for all the orders of the Supreme Court and shall keep ensuring that the same are complied with in letter and spirit.
Source: The News
Date:10/12/2010
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