Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Monday issued a show cause notice to Geo News for airing unverified news regarding Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Jalil Abbas Jilani.
Geo News had reported that the White House had censured Jilani for tweeting pictures with the first lady, Michelle Obama, without official consent. According to the report, this was communicated to Pakistan’s embassy in Washington and Foreign Office in Islamabad through a letter.
پیمرا کا جیو نیوز کو امریکہ میں تعینات پاکستانی سفیر سے متعلق غیر تصدیق شدہ خبر نشرکرنے پر 12ستمبر تک جوابدہی کا حکم pic.twitter.com/pJrdxqFy6n
— Report PEMRA (@reportpemra) September 5, 2016
Pakistan’s embassy in Washington promptly tweeted its displeasure, disputing facts of the report:
Baseless Report regarding Pakistan’s Amb to the US reg a letter of displeasure from the WHouse to is completely incorrect and baseless.
— Pakistan Embassy, DC (@PakEmbassyDC) August 30, 2016
No such letter has been received in our Mission in Washington or Ministry. It is nothing but a figment of the Reporter’s own imagination.
— Pakistan Embassy, DC (@PakEmbassyDC) August 30, 2016
It is unethical on the part of the Reporter, based in Washington, to have filed a baseless story without verifying its authenticity.
— Pakistan Embassy, DC (@PakEmbassyDC) August 30, 2016
Pemra took action against Geo News following Ambassador Jilani’s complaint. The ambassador said Geo had tainted his name and misled the people of Pakistan. “It allowed international media to defame our country,” he added.
United States First Lady Michelle Obama visited the Pakistan Embassy in Washington in May. “It was an absolute delight hosting FLOTUS at Pakistan House today,” Ambassador Jilani had said on Twitter.
