The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Saturday recommended imposition of Rs 100,000 fine on ARY News on charges of incitement for dislodgement of the democratic set-up.
PEMRA’s Council of Complaints, which met with Prof Shamim Humayun in the chair, heard the complaint lodged by Shanila Sikandar against ARY News programme “Sawal Ye Hai”.
The meeting took serious cognisance of the act of the host (Dr Danish) where he appealed to the army chief to come and take over the country and topple the democratic set-up. It opined that “the channel be fined Rs 100,000 and a warning be issued for airing content that incites dislodgement of the democratic set-up, debasing and demeaning a group of persons in violation of Clause 3(1)(b) of the Code of Conduct, 2015, implemented by the Supreme Court.”
The council recommended to the PEMRA to issue an advice to all satellite television channels to refrain from using derogatory words against persons and institutions.
In another complaint of the Aviation Division against ARY News, the council directed issuing a warning to the channel for maligning the government functionaries, including the Aviation Division and its attached departments and for airing allegation without credible information and not affording a fair opportunity to the victims to defend them.
It also directed ARY News to air apology and rebuttal in the same manner and magnitude during prime time within 15 days for airing false/incorrect information. In case of failure to comply with the directives, the council recommended to the PEMRA to proceed against the channel as per law.
Hearing a complaint lodged by Dr Taimur Rahman, Assistant Professor, Political Science, LUMS against programme titled ‘At Q with Ahmed Qureshi’, the council recommended issuing a warning to Express News channel for airing content containing hatred against Dr Taimur and leveling allegations without credible information and for not giving complainant a fair opportunity of self-defence while airing allegations and calling him directly or indirectly the enemy of Pakistan.
The council also recommended issuing advice to all satellite TV licencees to strictly refrain from calling a person anti-Pakistan, traitor, anti-Islam, infidel, enemy of Pakistan or using racial and religious discriminatory words against any citizen of the state.
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