Senate assured: PEMRA monitoring obscene content

Marriyum says an appropriate strategy was in place to monitor the content

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, Marriyum Aurangzeb on Monday assured the Senate of an effective monitoring mechanism at Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to check obscene, sectarian and immoral content.

She gave the assurance while winding up a discussion on a motion regarding content management by Pemra. Marriyum said an appropriate strategy was in place to monitor the content, though there was still need for improving the suo moto mechanism to check any material that might promote sectarian violence and immorality.



She said in case of violation of the code of conduct, Pemra initiates legal action which includes issuance of advisories, warnings, notices, show cause notice, imposition of fine and revocation or suspension of licence under Section 29 and 30 of Pemra ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA amendment act 2007 and section 20 of Pemra Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA Amended Act 2007 read with clauses of electronic media (Programmes and Advertisements) 2015 bars licenses from airing material promoting sectarian violence.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2017.