National

Pemra imposes 5-day ban on ‘Geo Pakistan’ for airing ‘indecent content’

March 31, 2017

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The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Friday imposed a Rs1 million fine and also put a five-day ban on Geo News channel’s morning show ‘Geo Pakistan’ for “airing objectionable/indecent content”.

“Geo Pakistan is banned from broadcasting, re-broadcasting, fresh, old or repeat content on Geo News from 9am Monday 3rd April till 12am April 7th 2017,” stated a statement issued by the media regulatory authority.

The show was banned following a number of complaints from citizens and senior journalists, it added. A show cause notice was also issued to the channel on 15 March 2017 asking them to explain their position.

قابلِ اعتراض مناظر دکھانے پر جیو نیوز کا مارننگ شو “جیو پاکستان” پانچ روز کیلئے معطل، چینل پر دس لاکھ روپے جرمانہ بھی عائد pic.twitter.com/sqMSmxO9C6

— Report PEMRA (@reportpemra) March 30, 2017

Given a chance of personal hearing and evaluating Geo News’s response, Pemra concluded the channel violated Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.

“In case of non-compliance, a process for suspension of licence, under Section 30 of Pemra Ordinance 2002 as amended by Pemra (Amendment) Act 2007 shall be initiated”, said the statement.

Earlier, the media watchdog ordered TV anchor Aamir Liaquat Hussain to apologise on air for indulging in hate speech during the transmission of his show on Bol News.