ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan, hearing applications filed against “obscene content” being aired on television channels, asked Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (Pemra) if it had taken any notice of programs defaming the judiciary.
The applications were filed by ex-Ameer of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, and Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed of the Supreme Court, who has recently joined the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.
The three-member bench hearing the applications rebuked Pemra’s performance in this regard, while Justice Jawad S Khwaja remarked that the regulatory body never does anything concrete.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said to Pemra that the bench will air TV advertisements and Pemra will be made to decide if they are obscene or not.
Chairman Pemra told the bench that one Dish TV can be bought from markets at the price of Rs3,000-4,000, on which everything can be watched.
Pakistan Broadcasters Association and cable operators were also made respondents in the application. The hearing has been adjourned till September 17.
COMMENTS (35)
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@Umar: commenst against judiciary are justified and they do not mean that the politicians or other institutions are saint. But judiciary has been one of the weakest link in our history and the current judiciary is worst of all, abusing the power given to it by peoples' support, and busy in their political vendetta rather than providing protection ot innocent people. Known killers are being released by courts without any accountability....
What about freedom of speech and freedom of expression? The supreme court, which should be protecting our rights, wants to take them away.
Please include also the print media in this go.
Some few months back, I had sent to Supreme Court copies of a number of nude pictures of advertisements in a Pakistani magazine. These were worse than any obscene displays in TV programs.
This action eminating from SC is really appeasing.
Our lordships should stop wasting time on such issues to get their 15 minute of fame and concentrate on the issues of minorities. Oh wait, that would go against their right leaning views and would not get them mileage in the national press. Silly me!
@Amitabh Bachchan: "It wasnt a SUO MOTO!!!"
The petition related to vulgarity was not a suo moto. However this whole issue of 'defaming judges" is definitely suo moto since it has nothing to do with the petition on vulgarity.
@Muhammad: "The headline of this article is wrong and deliberately wrong. Supreme court is not just taking action on judiciary in media but also discussing all the matter including vulgar dace etc. but headline shows that supreme court is taking actions against only Judicial matter."
Actually headline is absolutely correct. The issue related vulgarity and PEMRA guidelines on that was a petition that was brought to the Supreme court directly (without going thrugh any lower level courts - thus making the SC like a trial court). But at least it was not suo moto. The SC took this petition up and then as part of the questioning started asking about programs that 'defame' judiciary. As such those remarks had nothing to do with the petition. So naturally it is almost a suo moto action on this issue by SC - which separates it from the vulgarity related stuff which has an actual petitioner.
It is interesting that all this while when media made fun of the government, SC was not concerned about defaming the government. So does the good CJ now go back on his original idea that everyone is equal before the law and come to the conclusion that CJ, his son, SC registrar are above the law and are above media scrutiny?
PEMRA should send Faisal Raza Abidi to educate Chief Justice about morality.
CJP (who is the only hope of Justice in Pakistan) is just performing his duties honestly and nothing more than that. Being a Muslim/Pakistani I appreciate/ fully support him.At least he is not corrupt and selfish just like current Govt and other politicians. May Allah bless him and give him the courage to make such a fearless decisions for the betterment of our great Pakistan and its masses.
It so appears that PCO judges having been threatened by TTP to promote their agenda against vulgarity on TV and internet issued directions to PEMRA. But now they are asking Federal govt to protect their own image which has gone down considerably for the past few months.
it would be an interesting research study to see what type of cases mr. chaudhry happily accommodated and which one he sidelined. while at times i agree that there should be a challenge function to the govt which itself has no accountability, sometimes i do feel that judiciary is crossing its line (e.g. price fixation of sugar).
".....Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said to Pemra that the bench will air TV advertisements and Pemra will be made to decide if they are obscene or not...." And telecast it on TV, it will be the most popular reality TV in the land of pure. Gen Zia jinda hai!!
Its your judgments, your bias, your vendetta, and your son, which are defaming the judiciary, not the TV programs. Have some decency and integrity to realize this fact.
Gen Zia reincarnated! Get used to this as too much freedom provided by the govt is not going to be allowed by the PCO justices.
"To learn who rules over you, simply find out whom you are not allowed to criticize". Voltaire
I sit and read the comments pouring in every day against the judiciary by people in a country where there is no law and order, no electricity, gas and corruption is rampant and I have finally come to the conclusion that if in the next election the masses do not root out the incombant political powers and elect new decent leadership; this country is corrupt itself and does not deserve to change.
I say this as a Pakistani sitting outside of pakistan. May Allah guide us all.
@pk: So when tomorrow a TV channels starts broadcasting information about your private life, defames your family through using false acquisitions, don't complain just change the channel.
Judicial dictatorshipUmmmm...is this not an attack on media's independence or freedom? Had the government done something like this then everyone would have been up in a furore. Seriously, how can the CJ try to gag the media so blatantly? This is nothign more than another attempt for the CJ to put a stop to people pleading their case in the media (when the SC no longer wishes to listen). Chota Ch must be relieved.
According to "HONORABLE CJ", defaming Judiciary on TV is illegal but yeah, defaming politicians would be allowed as it is also exercised in the west, Mr. CJ, why don't you allow many other explicit programs on TV which are also shown on western TV channels.........DUAL POLICIES.......
but what about the conversion of Hindus on TV?
Why no problem with that Mr. Justice?
I support my Sindhi Hindu brothers and Sisters and I am a Sindhi Muslim. Please support us.
Pseudo moto or sup moto .,,it is judiciary PLEASING it self by its own hands basically this bunch is warning the media that nothing is said about the corrupt judges Itbcomfirms the allegation that judges are watching political talk shows.They may have supporters but have lost respect
Very nice. I liked your true explanation, especially Samosa Case.@jibran:
Now judiciary is hurt because they are exposed. Theif Cheif is worried that Arsalan case will be exposed exposed in public. He wants to stop media for airing those programs which gives true picture of corruption of Arsalan to save his skin. What a judiciary we have. Why these judges gave stay on Arsalan case investigation? Do you have any reply on this? @jibran:
@MUHAMMAD, totally agree.
Too much vulgarity on media
It wasnt a SUO MOTO!!!
now my lord will be telling us what to watch n when to close our eyes .. enjoy the taxpayers money my lord its all free to burn
Another Samosa case, indicating that there are no more pressing cases involving poor litigants who haves been bumping their heads at the doors of the courts for decades. Shameless misuse of authority, utter incompetency, and blatant disregard of human misery.
Changing the channel yourself with a TV remote is the only jurisdiction allowed on issue of tv morality not an edict by zealots!
Arsalan case, AM Ashgar Khan case or ongoing forced coversion of Hindu gilrs - are not the priority! Oscene content of TV Channels is- for this SC! Ummm! How interesting!
BTW, I get all Pakistani (and Indian and Bangladeshi) Channels on Satelite dish in UK and I desperately searched each and everyone for some titilating content! Found none! I would like respected Justices to provide names and programmes that they are talking about pls........
One day this judiciary will task people who sigh at the foolishness of the court
The headline of this article is wrong and deliberately wrong.
Supreme court is not just taking action on judiciary in media but also discussing all the matter including vulgar dace etc.
but headline shows that supreme court is taking actions against only Judicial matter.
Writer looks me BIAS
Judiciary is defamed more by its faulty, politicised, half baked, delayed and influenced decisions and running their chambers when on the bench rather than the defamatory programs of certain channels.
PEMRA evidently is failing in it's duty. The dignity and honour of the Higher Judiciary needs to be respected and protected by all