Bhoja Air crash coverage: PEMRA serves TV stations notices over graphic footage
Authority considering legal action against 17 broadcasters.
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) issued a furious rebuke to 17 television channels after they broadcast graphic images of the victims of the Bhoja Air plane crash.
The channels have been served show cause notices for airing the footage. Pemra ordered the channels to explain themselves over what it called “horrific and insane” coverage of the disaster. In a strongly worded statement, Pemra said the channels broadcast “unedited live footage of blood, gore, dead and mutilated bodies amid a private plane crash.”
The regulator said it was considering legal action against the broadcasters, calling their approach “extremely unethical and irresponsible”.
“There is no harm in taking edge over other channels in dissemination of timely and accurate news but the quest must not be to take lead in indecency or irregularity,” the statement said.
“It’s high time that the channels must realise their responsibility and define the do’s and don’ts.” A Bhoja Air Boeing 737 came down and burst into flames in fields near Islamabad last Friday as it tried to land, killing all 127 people on board -- the capital’s second major crash in less than two years.
According to the press release issued, the authority has also issued notices to other 24 entertainment TV channels on account of airing “indecent, vulgar and unethical programs, advertisements, shows, excessive foreign content and intruding into personal and family life of people”.
The channels have also been summoned to show cause under section 20 (c) & (f) of the Pemra Ordinance and Rule 15 (1) of Pemra Rules.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2012.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) issued a furious rebuke to 17 television channels after they broadcast graphic images of the victims of the Bhoja Air plane crash.
The channels have been served show cause notices for airing the footage. Pemra ordered the channels to explain themselves over what it called “horrific and insane” coverage of the disaster. In a strongly worded statement, Pemra said the channels broadcast “unedited live footage of blood, gore, dead and mutilated bodies amid a private plane crash.”
The regulator said it was considering legal action against the broadcasters, calling their approach “extremely unethical and irresponsible”.
“There is no harm in taking edge over other channels in dissemination of timely and accurate news but the quest must not be to take lead in indecency or irregularity,” the statement said.
“It’s high time that the channels must realise their responsibility and define the do’s and don’ts.” A Bhoja Air Boeing 737 came down and burst into flames in fields near Islamabad last Friday as it tried to land, killing all 127 people on board -- the capital’s second major crash in less than two years.
According to the press release issued, the authority has also issued notices to other 24 entertainment TV channels on account of airing “indecent, vulgar and unethical programs, advertisements, shows, excessive foreign content and intruding into personal and family life of people”.
The channels have also been summoned to show cause under section 20 (c) & (f) of the Pemra Ordinance and Rule 15 (1) of Pemra Rules.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2012.