PEMRA clarifies about ban on anchors, faces heavy criticism

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority issued a directive to bar anchors and Journalists to appear in others show as experts.

The Directives was issued on 27 October 2019

The Advisory ‘Directives stated:

“Participants/invitees should be selected with due care having credibility as fair and unbiased analysts with requisite knowledge/expertise on the subject matter. As per Pemra code of conduct, the role of anchors is to moderate the programmes in an objective, unbiased and impartial manner, excluding themselves from their personal opinions, biases and judgements on any issue. Therefore, anchors hosting exclusive regular shows should not appear in talk shows whether own or other channels as subject matter expert,” 

The Anchors and Journalists from various media houses condemn PEMRA’s ban calling it as a ‘Directorial’ Journalists/Anchors vow to resist any move to gag the press.

Soon after Journalists/Anchors raised the question mentioning Article 19 of the constitution of Pakistan, PEMRA released the latest confused clarification.

PEMRA clarifies that there has been a misinterpretation of above quoted PEMRA advisory, “By No mean it was to restrict the freedom of expression as being projected by few”

PEMRA fully supports freedom of expression and There is no restriction on appearance of any number of anchors to do long duration group marathon transmission on a special current issues on their channels while also taking other relevant guests where required/possible.

PEMRA hasn’t cleared that Journalists/Anchors cannot appear as an experts on other media channels in talk shows whereas the latest notification creates more confusion instead.

Meanwhile, MNA Asad Umar supports PEMRA on their initiative said “Amazing decision by pemra to stop anchors to go on any other talk show and express their opinion! PEMRA should be doing a better job talking action against completely fake news and not suppressing the right of individuals, including anchors, to express thir opinion.”

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