Pemra warns TV channels against defamatory satire

Mumtaz Alvi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Tuesday took serious note of what it called the creeping undesirable media practices, whereby television channels in particular had started invading the personal privacy in total disregard to social norms and ethics.

The authority here in its 73rd meeting took a controversial morning show by a private television channel as an example of such practice. The forum warned TV channels not to repeat any such absurdness failing which the authority would have to retaliate seriously.

The authority members, however, acknowledged that after Pemra’s intervention, the entire team of that morning show was sacked by the Samaa TV management. The authority also reiterated its resolve to curb the derogatory and defamatory satirical programmes aired by many channels in the guise of parody that are inadvertently being used for demeaning and defaming dignitaries. The meeting held here at Pemra headquarters approved with consensus therevised TV/Radio Broadcasting Operations Regulations, which were devised on modern lines in due consultation with the stakeholders. The revision of regulation was essential to remove number of anomalies in old version of regulation after enactment of Pemra Act 2007 and Pemra Rules 2009.

The forum also approved opening up Phase-X for awarding FM licences in 30 districts of country including the Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK. It was viewed that though there are 154 FM licensees across Pakistan but there were still number of uncovered areas where there were inadequate FM radios or either no FM radio at all.

To spur media outreach, the authority directed to open up new phase of awarding FM radio licences. Besides, the authority imposed fine of Rs0.5 million each on three major FM radio licensees namely M/s Mehran Media (Pvt) Ltd, M/s Media Solutions (Pvt) Ltd and M/s Solar Communication (Pvt) Ltd for illegally transferring shares in violation of section 20 (i) of Pemra law.

Reviewing the progress, the authority urged ensuring media access to grass roots level and emphasised penetration of cable TV in remote areas of country in order to provide the people of Pakistan an easy reach to information, education and entertainment and to have them acquainted on developments taking place in country and across the globe.

The meeting was attended by Acting Chairman Pemra Dr Abdul Jabbar, secretary Ministry of Information, secretary Ministry of Interior, chairman PTA and other members including Mian Shams (Punjab), Israr Ahmad Abbassi (AJ&K), Shama Parveen Magsi (Balochistan) and Fareeha Iftikhar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).

Source: The News