ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued a show cause notice to Bol News for showing defiance over the decision of the authority, dated October 6, through which PEMRA had directed the channel to air an apology to their viewers for their programme ‘Aisay Nahi Challay Ga’ for casting aspersions against a serving officer of the armed forces. But, the channel failed to implement PEMRA’s order.
In the said programme, hate-based comments were aired against the officer who was posted in a war zone and his name was also revealed. This act of the channel was a gross violation of Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.
For defiance of its order, PEMRA had directed the management of the channel to reply to the show cause notice within seven days, that is, on or before October 26, explaining their position over the matter.
Moreover, Bol News CEO was also called for personal hearing on October 26. In case of failure to reply within stipulated time and non-appearance for personal hearing, the authority could exercise its right to initiate ex-parte proceedings against the news channel.
