The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Thursday conducted hearing of 29 TV channels with regard to airing fake news of blast in Gulberg Lahore on Feb 23, 2017.
The TV channels through their representatives/counsels submitted their replies to the show-cause notice issued to them by PEMRA. It may be mentioned here that following a blast in Defence area of Lahore on February 23, 2017, the fake news of blast in Gulberg created panic among the people. PEMRA received a large number of complaints from the viewers who demanded action against the TV channels which had aired the fake news.
PEMRA had issued show-cause notices to these TV channels on the same day directing them to submit a reply by March 2, 2017. Another personal hearing opportunity was given to the respondents.
On Thursday, during the personal hearing held at the PEMRA headquarters, the majority of the representatives from TV channels admitted they had simply picked the story from other channels, including the state-run PTV, and had not bothered to double check before airing such sensitive news. The replies of the TV channels confirm the poor judgment on part of the TV channels and ‘once again’ expose the unprofessional, rating-driven attitude in the newsrooms of the TV channels. However, PEMRA is going to present the TV channels’ replies before the authority meeting on Friday, along with the recommendations of the hearing committee for an appropriate action.
