Pakistan

PEMRA issues notice to ARY News over remarks against PM

Shahid Latif, a guest on an ARY News programme, termed a recent statement by the premier blasphemous

News Desk March 25, 2017

ARY News logo

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Friday issued three show cause notices, including one to ARY News channel over comments on a statement by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The media regulatory authority issued notice to ARY News over remarks made by Shahid Latif, a guest on a programme of the news channel, that termed a recent statement by the premier blasphemous.

PEMRA suspends Dawn News programme for three days

Shahid Latif made the remarks during the programme, The Reporters, which aired on Thursday. “This is a very dangerous trend. The hosts of the programme did not intervene on this occasion nor stopped him from passing such comments, which is a violation of Pemra rules,” the authority said in a statement.

“This has been conveyed to the TV channel that airing any offensive, provocative or derogatory remarks falls in clear violation of clause 20 (f) of PEMRA Act 2007, rule 15(1) of 2009 and various sections and clauses of the PEMRA Code of Conduct 2015,” the statement added.

ARY News has been directed to submit its reply by March 31 and explain why action should not be taken against it for airing “hate speech”.

SC to monitor Aamir Liaquat’s show

Pemra pointed out that if the channel was found guilty, the action against it could include banning of The Reporters, cancellation of ARY’s operating licence and a fine of Rs1 million.

The electronic media regulator also issued show cause notices to nine TV channels — Ab Tak TV, Waqt TV, Channel 5, Sach TV, 7 News, Aaj TV, Roze TV, News One and Capital TV — for airing “fake news” on Wednesday (March 22)that a plane had crashed in Kallar Syedan, near Rawalpindi. The channels have been directed to submit a reply by March 31.

COMMENTS (7)

Ameer Qaisrani | 7 years ago | Reply Which statement by PM? Please provide any link. Thanks

Billa | 7 years ago | Reply ARY is against PML(N).

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Ameer | 7 years ago | Reply For the first and probably the last time in my life, I agree with PEMRA. That was one very hate filled program.

Parvez | 7 years ago | Reply This step could backfire ........ but what most likely will happen is that it will be brushed under the carpet....with long delays in the investigation process etc......something like the Dawn Leaks case investigation.

Amar | 7 years ago | Reply These comments should not be made as they can risk the lives of popular figures especially as we remember late junaid jamshaid was in fear after being accused. Media channels operate because of profit and emotion but pak media needs to control themselves as we tend to go further then international media. Blasphemy is a crime but not a tool for when a person is agitated against someone which is the case 70% of the time

BrainBro | 7 years ago | Reply A super massive fine of Rs. 5,000/= would be imposed by PEMRA as a result of this. This will teach them not to mess with the laws again.

Muneer | 7 years ago | Reply Pemra is in fact harming Nawaz Sharif by opening the case foolishly.The statement made by the PM of comparison could be a cause of hurting the religious feelings of Muslims in the country.It would be better if Pemra takes back the notice.

Replying to X