The Lahore High Court has directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to ensure implementation of its code of conduct, and clamp down on channels violating it.
The chief justice designate Syed Mansoor Ali Shah told the media watchdog to take action against channels showing pornography, black magic, and quackery through advertisements.
The judge issued the order on a petition by Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Mian Mahmoodur Rashid. The application said cable operators were blatantly violating PEMRA’s code of conduct, showing Indian porn stars on TV.
Rashid also highlighted that the channels were running content based on quackery and black magic, ruining family viewership.
In the same petition, the judge asked managing director of Pakistan Television (PTV) to explain under which law the channel was recovering its fee from electricity consumers.
The judge directed the channel’s MD to submit his response and adjourned the hearing till June 29.
Meanwhile, PEMRA in its response said it had received complaints regarding the said advertisements, saying cable operators failing to comply with the orders will cause strict legal action against them.
Earlier on June 17, PEMRA banned Ramzan transmission of Aaj TV and TV One private TV channels over violation of the media regulator’s code of conduct by “promoting controversial and sectarian views”.
The authority also issued show cause notice to Geo TV for airing inappropriate content, including ‘suicide scenes’ in its Ramzan transmission.