Pemra warns TV channels of airing 'propaganda, disinformation' against state institutions

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (Pemra) has issued new directives, warning all satellite TV channels regarding legal action for either running a propaganda campaign or spreading misinformation and disinformation against state institutions.

According to Pemra, a trend has been observed on satellite TV channels, wherein some of their anchors and analysts indulged in spreading misinformation and disinformation against state institutions.

In its directive, the media-regulatory body highlighted that “such a trend on TV channels is tantamount to casting aspersions against state institutions and is a planned propaganda campaign against them.”

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It has termed the airing of such content a "violation" of the directives, as issued by Pemra.

The media watchdog has asked all satellite TV channel licensees to follow the principles laid down in the Constitution and ensure strict compliance with relevant provisions of Pemra laws.

Last month, senior journalist and Express News anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan, the most vocal critic of the ruling coalition, was arrested from Islamabad Toll Plaza disregarding the fact that a court has already granted him a pre-arrest bail.

Imran Riaz had been implicated in a slew of cases that he had said were motivated by his refusal to “stop speaking the truth”.