Pakistan

PEMRA warns TV channels against airing hate speech

TV channels refrained from broadcasting negative, insulting and hateful material against judiciary and army

APP May 16, 2022

Pemra has been urging the TV channels through various guidelines to abide by its rules and court orders. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has taken stern notice of broadcast of “negative, insulting and hateful material against state institutions, especially judiciary and army” during live coverage of programmes, talk shows and various public rallies and meetings on news and current affairs TV channels.

They were refrained from ridiculing the state institutions especially the judiciary and armed forces and to abide by the Pemra laws and court orders issued in this regard, read a statement issued on Monday.

It may be recalled that Pemra has been urging the TV channels through various guidelines to abide by its rules and court orders. However, it was observed that during the past few weeks, highly objectionable material has been aired against the national institutions, which was tantamount to their insult.

Pemra has once again strongly instructed all satellite TV channels to devise an effective delay system for airing their broadcasts, especially covering public meetings, rallies and electronic media (advertising and programmes) under the Code of Conduct 2015 and set up an impartial and independent editorial board.

The authority further warned the satellite channels to refrain from broadcasting any kind of offensive material on their platform against any state institution including the judiciary and the armed forces.

Also read: Govt to ‘amend’ PEMRA laws to curb fake news

All the channels have been finally warned that in case of any intentional/unintentional error in this regard, action would be taken under PEMRA Ordinance 2002 amended PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007 Section 27 which included closure of the programme or talk show without notice or Rs1 million fine under clause 29, or suspension or cancellation of license and closure of transmission under clause 30.