Pemra directed to ensure ‘unbiased’ coverage

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to ensure that PTI founding member and former premier Imran Khan and candidates of all political parties are given “free and unrestricted” access to media ahead of the Feb 8 general polls.

Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza of the LHC passed the order on a petition filed by Imran.

In his plea, the former premier had challenged the regulatory authority’s decision to bar all satellite TV channels from airing his speeches and media talks.

In the written order, Justice Mirza noted that the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct directed all media channels that any political programme should be conducted in an objective manner guaranteeing representation of all political parties.

“Clearly, the allegation agitated before this court by the petitioner is that the media channels breached the code of conduct when his [Imran’s] name was not even allowed to be taken in the programmes,” the order said.

“[…] Keeping in view the upcoming general elections, Pemra is directed to strictly ensure that the petitioner and candidates of all political parties are given free and unrestricted access to media platforms/channels without any constraints from any quarters,” it added.