PEMRA Resolved 390 Complaints Against TV Channels in Two Years
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has resolved 390 complaints against television channels over the past two years. Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar informed the Senate on December 13. He stated that disciplinary actions, including fines, had been imposed on both news and entertainment channels for violations of the PEMRA code of conduct.
Minister Tarar stated in response to a question that the Council of Complaints was operational.
Documents submitted by the Ministry of Information revealed specific complaints, including 13 cases concerning the announcement of the reserved judgment in the Toshakhana Two case and 62 complaints related to content aired regarding the Supreme Court contempt proceedings involving Faisal Vawda and Mustafa Kamal. 20 complaints pertained to coverage on “such subjudice matter which tends to prejudice the determination by a court, tribunal, etc.” In 27 complaints, PEMRA took action against channels that, during coverage of a public gathering in Sargodha, aired “unsavoury words against the superior judiciary which were uttered by a speaker” and went live without incorporating editing tools. Other violations pertained to coverage of terrorist attacks, elections, airing of ads, and other content in “wilful defiance” of directives issued by PEMRA.
The Ministry’s written response said that all PEMRA licensees must adopt self-regulatory practices to ensure compliance with the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015 and licensing terms. Legal actions by PEMRA for violations include warnings, censure, fines of up to 10 million rupees, suspension of programs under Section 27, and revocation of licenses under Section 30 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002, as amended by the PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2023. it said that PEMRA laws did not permit the regulator to pre-censor content before telecast.
Photo Source: PEMRA
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