ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) fined on Thursday two private news channels for “airing baseless news” against the Inspector General Police (IGP) Sindh Allah Dino Khawaja.
“In a complaint filed by IGP Sindh AD Khawaja, Pemra Council of Complaints meeting recommended to impose a fine of Rs 200,000 and Rs 300,000 on private television channels Abb Takk and Channel 24 respectively for airing baseless, defamatory and unverified allegations against the complainant,” the media watchdog said in a statement.
“Proceedings regarding the complaints against news reporter Zille-e-Haider on Channel 24 and Abb Takk programme Benaqab hosted by Saifan Khan were conducted by the council on February 8, 2017, and March 29, 2017, respectively,” it added.
The authority directed the channels to air an apology and deploy and properly utilise a time delay mechanism. It also asked them to constitute an in-house editorial committee to ensure compliance of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.
PFUJ asks PEMRA for action against TV channels not fulfilling legal responsibilities
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and National Press Club (NPC) have demanded of the PEMRA chairman to take strict action against those television channels that are not fulfilling their legal responsibilities under Section 27-B of PEMRA Act 2007.
The demand was raised during a meeting of PFUJ and NPC delegation with PEMRA Chairman Absar Alam. The delegation was led by PFUJ President Afzal Butt.
During the meeting, held at the office of PEMRA Chairman Absar Alam, the PFUJ delegation apprised him about the delay/non-payment of salaries and illegal retrenchment of workers being made by various television channels.
The delegation demanded of the PEMRA chairman that PEMRA should not recommend an increase in the commercial air-time to the television channels till a law is made to ensure that the owners of tv channels pay regular salaries and fulfil all their contractual obligations towards their employees.
It was demanded that until a law is passed, PEMRA should exercise its full legal powers under Section 27-B of PEMRA Act to redress the media workers’ complaints and grievances.
PEMRA Chairman Absar Alam assured the delegation the every effort would be made to protect the lawful rights of journalists and electronic media workers. He also assured the delegation that he would take up these issues with the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) during his next meeting with them.
Besides Afzal Butt, the delegation comprised of National Press Club President Shakeel Anjum, Secretary Finance Ishaq Chaudhry, former PFUJ Secretary General Nasir Malick and RIUJ Vice-President Sagheer Ahmad.
[…] via Pakistan Today […]
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