The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued show cause notice to Dawn News (Aurora Broadcasting Services Pvt Ltd) for defying its orders of suspending the TV channel’s programme “Zara Hat Kay” for a period of three days.
In the said programme dated March 9, 2017, the anchorpersons Mubashir Zaidi, Wusatullah Khan and Zarar Khoro had discussed a reference against Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) pending before the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC).
Discussing a matter which is pending before the SJC is a violation of the Section 20 (c) of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, Rule 15(1) of PEMRA Rules 2009 and clauses 3 (1-j), 4(3) of Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct, 2015, as well as directives of the Supreme Judicial Council dated Nov 21, 2015.
The PEMRA issued a show cause notice to the TV channel on March 10, 2017 and after hearing the TV channel’s representatives announced the 3-day prohibition order on March 20, 2017. The programme “Zara Hat Kay” was suspended for three days starting on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, 11.00pm to Friday, March 24, 2017 till midnight.
However, the channel management did not comply with the orders and continued to air the programme during the given period. This act of violating the Authority’s order is tantamount to willful defiance and the Authority has directed the channel’s management to explain within three days i.e. before or on March 27, 2017 before 4.00pm why it defied the orders. In the case of non-compliance, the matter will proceed ex-parte under Section 29 and 30 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by the PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007.
PEMRA issues show cause to ARY News:
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued show cause notice to “ARY News” for a provocative comment on a statement by Prime Minister Nawaz. In ARY News programme “The Reporters” dated March 23, 2017 from 7.00 P.M to 8.00 P.M. a guest, Shahid Latif termed a statement by the prime minister blasphemous which is a very dangerous trend.
The hosts of the programme did not intervene on this occasion nor stopped him from passing such comments which is a violation of PEMRA rules. This has been conveyed to the TV channel that airing any offensive, provocative or derogatory remarks falls in clear violation of the clause 20 (f) of PEMRA Amendment Act 2007, rule 15(1) of 2009 and various sections and clauses of the PEMRA Code of Conduct 2015. The Authority has thus issued a show cause notice to ARY News directing it to submit a reply within seven days (by March 31, 2017 12.00 noon) and explain why appropriate action should not be taken against it for airing hate speech and remarks in violation of PEMRA rules.
The action against the channel may include: banning of the programme “The Reporters” under Section 27 of PEMRA Rules, cancellation of the license under Section 30 and a fine of Rs1 million under Section 29. In the case of non-compliance, the matter will proceed ex-parte.
Nine TV channels issues notices over fake news
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued show cause notice to nine (9) TV channels—Ab Tak TV, Waqt TV, Channel 5, Sach TV, 7 News, Aaj TV, Roze TV, News One and Capital TV— for airing fake news of plane crash in Kallar Syedan near Rawalpindi. The news was aired between 8.00 pm and 9.00 pm on March 22, 2017.
According to the show cause, this has been conveyed to the TV channels that airing fake news is a clear violation of clause 20 (f) of PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, 15(1) of PEMRA Rules 2009, and a number of clauses of PEMRA Code of Conduct 2015 like 3(1), 4(1) and 7(a).
The Authority has directed the channels to submit a reply within seven days i.e. by March 31, 2017, and explain why a fine of Rs1 million should not be imposed on them for this violation of PEMRA rules (Section 29) or their license should be cancelled (Section 30).
Zong 4G advertisment banned by PEMRA
PEMRA had informed the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) on February 17 to amend the advertisement of “Zong 4G” till February 20 before 6 pm; otherwise, PEMRA under Section 27 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007 shall prohibit the said advertisement forthwith.
The advertisers had initially amended the said advertisement, but subsequently, it has been monitored that advertisers in an attempt to hoodwink PEMRA’s instructions, re-amended the advertisement and inserted the same objectionable visuals for which PEMRA is receiving the complaints once again.
Therefore, in view of the afore-mentioned reasons the competent authority in exercise of delegated powers of the Authority vested in Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, hereby prohibits the broadcast or re-broadcast of the “Zong 4G” advertisement with immediate effect. In case of non-compliance by the Satellite TV Channels, the Authority shall proceed against the violator(s) under Section 29 and 30 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002.
