ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued a notice to all satellite TV channels regarding the content of morning shows’ comprising of directives from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) here on Tuesday.
The notice that was shared on PEMRA social media accounts reads: “There are serious complaints which [are] a matter of great concern for all the families that different channels through morning shows are involved in such activities which [are] against the decency, morality, values of Islam and cultural heritage of Pakistan.”
“Some items of different channels clearly fall within the definition of obscenity/pornography, therefore, PEMRA is directed to submit a report in this regard and take immediate steps to prevent telecast of such contents and if any channel fails to [follow] the instructions, a penal action may be taken against the channel,” it states further.
The notice does not state the name of any particular channel that aired the offensive material on morning shows, however, it makes it clear that all satellite TV channels are responsible for ensuring that the content aired on morning shows, as well as, other programmes follow the ‘Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015’ and other PEMRA laws.
It was also notified that the IHC has directed all satellite TV channels to dedicate 10% of their airtime to public service messages and that non-compliance will lead to prosecution under PEMRA laws.
Morning shows have been criticised time and again for normalizing indecent and cheap actions. Just recently, Sahir Lodhi was slammed for having children dance in an adult-like provocative manner that portrayed them much ahead of their years.
