SC takes notice of 'vulgar' song aired on private TV channel

Notice taken after senior journalist wrote column about indecent content on Jalwa TV

ISLAMABAD : Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar has taken notice of the airing of a 'vulgar song' on a privately-owned music channel after a senior journalist wrote an article appealing the court to take action.

On April 6, journalist Ansar Abbasi penned a column for Daily Jang complaining about the airing of an Indian song on music channel Jalwa TV which “crossed all limits of decency” and violated Pemra’s code of conduct.

The journalist called upon Pemra and the chief justice to take action and revoke the channel’s licence. Abbasi also took his concerns to Twitter.

SHAMEFUL AND SHOCKING: Some TV channels are showing complete nudity. Demand PM, SC, Pemra to revoke the licenses of these channel.

— Ansar Abbasi (@AnsarAAbbasi) April 5, 2017

Dear I have shared it with the PM, the CJP, Pemra Chief and demanded revocation of channel's license. Can't share it on social media. https://t.co/cNIrgFD0n8

— Ansar Abbasi (@AnsarAAbbasi) April 5, 2017

Upon reading the column, the chief justice issued a notice directing the media regulatory body’s chairman to investigate the matter and take action against the channel under the relevant laws.

SC's notice on my column against vulgarity. pic.twitter.com/4pOtIr6aZG

— Ansar Abbasi (@AnsarAAbbasi) April 7, 2017

It is to be noted that Pemra had already served a show-cause notice to Jalwa TV on April 5 asking the channel to explain its content selection policy. The channel has been given till April 12 to respond and explain why it should not be fined Rs1 million for violating various clauses of Pemra’s code of conduct.

جلوہ ٹی وی پر فحش اور غیر اخلاقی مواد نشر ہونے پر پیمرا کا چینل کو 12 اپریل 2017 تک جوابدہی کا حکم pic.twitter.com/jmrOhjiWkp

— Report PEMRA (@reportpemra) April 5, 2017

The song in question titled Jahan Tum Ho, which has over 19 million views on YouTube and was released in December 2016, aired on the channel on March 30 and features a woman wearing a bikini which is unacceptable for viewers, states the Pemra press release. It adds that the body soon began receiving several complaints from the public as the video is “against social and cultural values of the society.”