Slandering MPs: NA speaker asks Pemra to act against TV channels

Calling lawmakers traitors on TV is a violation of the Constitution

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has lodged a complaint with the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chairman against various TV channels for using impolite words and levelling unfounded allegations against parliamentarians.

The speaker said that disciplinary action should be taken against the channels, anchorpersons and analysts who made slanderous remarks against lawmakers.

He said parliamentarians take oath to protect the constitution and national integrity and calling them traitors on TV channels was a violation of the Constitution as well as insult to Parliament.

“No channel or anchorperson or analyst has such a right,” he said. He asked the Pemra chairman to take appropriate action against the owners of such channels, anchorpersons and analysts and report to parliament.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2016.