Govt withdraws PEMRA (Amendment) Bill, 2023

Govt would not have carried out consultations for months if it had desire to implement ‘black law’, says info minister

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb announced on Monday the withdrawal of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Amendment Bill 2023, Radio Pakistan reported.

Under the bill, the powers of the regulatory authority’s chief had been given to the Council of Complaints.

The amended Pemra bill, drafted after in-depth debate and consultations with all the stakeholders, was passed by the National Assembly earlier.

However, the government’s move had raised concerns among broadcasters who have emphasised that the powers to monitor rating agencies should be granted to advertisers instead.

Read more: NA panel approves PEMRA (Amendment) Bill, 2023

Speaking to the media in Islamabad today, the information minister stated that the consultations over the bill engaged prominent media bodies, including the CPNE and APNS, as well as the Pakistan Broadcasters Association.

These engagements led to a series of proposed amendments to enhance the legislation, put forth by the Senate, which will be included in the bill, she added.

She said the government would not have carried out comprehensive consultations for 12 months if it had any desire to implement a black law.

The minister said that it might not be possible to incorporate the proposed amendments in the bill as the National Assembly would be dissolved after two days.

Marriyum said the definition of “misinformation and disinformation” has been included in Article 19 of the PEMRA Amendment Bill 2023, adding that the bill was designed for the protection of the rights of the journalists' community.

She stated that the entire leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) fought for the freedom of expression in parliament and other forums.

The information minister said that the government has approved the Health Insurance Cards programme for the media workers as the government was aware of hurdles faced by them.

Marriyum further said that the journalist community has rendered great sacrifices for the freedom of expression and the government respects their opinion.