PEMRA Advice to Satellite TV Channels for aspersion against Judiciary

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued a notice to all Satellite TV Channels dated 17 September 2018. PEMRA has advised all the licensees to strictly adhere to PEMRA Laws.

During monitoring of Channels for last few days, it has been observed by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) that News and Current Affair Satellite channels are found airing live footages, media conferences and media talks of different politicians, analysts and legal fraternity containing aspersions against the Honorable Judiciary, while refereeing to Diamer Bhasha Dam Fund, without any editorial control.

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has also taken notice of broadcasting of derogatory remarks and comments against superior Judiciary in their current affair programmes and talk shows.

Despite being advised from time to time the NEWS & Current Affair Channels Licensees to refrain from airing contents that violate Electronic Media (Programme and Advertisement) Code of Conduct, PEMRA has observed these violations.

All News and Current Affair Satellite TV Channel Licensees have been advised to strictly follow the following provisions of PEMRA Laws:

Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015:

3(1)(1) Fundamental principles: – The Licensee shall ensure that no content is aired which contains aspersions against the judiciary or armed forces of Pakistan.

4(3) Programmes on sub-judice matters may be aired in an informative manner and shall be handled objectively:

Provided that no content shall be aired, which tends to prejudice the determination by a court, tribunal or any other judicial or quasi-judicial forum.

4(10) Editorial oversight: the licensee shall ensure that its representatives’ hosts and producers of the programme shall discuss and review the contents of the programme prior to programme going on air/being recorded, and ensure that its contents conform to, in letter and spirit, this Code of Conduct.

5. Programming mix and live coverage:- No licensee shall broadcast any live programme unless there is an effective delaying mechanism put in place in order to ensure effective monitoring and editorial control in conformity with this code.

17. Monitoring Committee:- Licensee shall comply with this code and appoint an in-house monitoring committee under intimation to the PEMRA to ensure compliance of the Code.

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has also stated that in case of non-compliance action as per law will be taken.