Pemra bans crime re-enactment shows on TV
Channels would not be allowed to telecast re-enactment of crimes such as rape & murder, announced chairman Absar Alam
Pemra chairman Absar Alam addresses a press conference in Islamabad. PHOTO: MUDASSAR RAJA/EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) announced on Friday a ban on shows dramatising crimes such as rape, murder, suicide and robberies.
"Neither news and current affairs channels nor entertainment channels would be allowed to telecast re-enactment or drama scenes of such crimes,” chairman Pemra Absar Alam said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
Alam announced the regulatory authority was forming a code of conduct for investigative journalism in the country, saying it will "not allow anyone to breach someone's privacy".
“Law enforcement agencies have reported that countless youth have disclosed they learned the methods of crime from TV," he said, adding there would also be a ban on revealing the name and running footage of a rape victim.
PEMRA issues show-cause notice to Udaari
According to the notification, standing committees of Senate and National Assembly have also recommended the authority to ban crime re-enactment shows.
"Lahore High Court, during the hearing of a petition, ordered banning such programmess and Punjab Assembly passed a resolution calling for a complete ban on such shows," reads the notification.
A number of news and entertainment channels in Pakistan feature crime re-enactment programmes.
Last week, Pemra served a notice to HUM TV seeking an explanation for showing “immoral” scenes in the popular serial that highlights the issue of child abuse.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) announced on Friday a ban on shows dramatising crimes such as rape, murder, suicide and robberies.
"Neither news and current affairs channels nor entertainment channels would be allowed to telecast re-enactment or drama scenes of such crimes,” chairman Pemra Absar Alam said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
Alam announced the regulatory authority was forming a code of conduct for investigative journalism in the country, saying it will "not allow anyone to breach someone's privacy".
“Law enforcement agencies have reported that countless youth have disclosed they learned the methods of crime from TV," he said, adding there would also be a ban on revealing the name and running footage of a rape victim.
PEMRA issues show-cause notice to Udaari
According to the notification, standing committees of Senate and National Assembly have also recommended the authority to ban crime re-enactment shows.
"Lahore High Court, during the hearing of a petition, ordered banning such programmess and Punjab Assembly passed a resolution calling for a complete ban on such shows," reads the notification.
A number of news and entertainment channels in Pakistan feature crime re-enactment programmes.
Last week, Pemra served a notice to HUM TV seeking an explanation for showing “immoral” scenes in the popular serial that highlights the issue of child abuse.