Ministry of Defense’s reference against Geo TV may result in cancellation of its license. DESIGN: SUNARA NIZAMI
ISLAMABAD:
Ministry of Defense’s reference against Geo TV may not only result in cancellation of its license but the continual violation of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) rules may also bring three-year imprisonment with hard labour to the people involved.
The minister of defense on Tuesday sent to Pemra a regular reference for imposing a ban on Geo. According to its rules, Pemra will issue show cause notices to the violators, who will be allowed the opportunity of personal hearing.
After receiving a complaint against any TV channel, Pemra constitutes a board, headed by the authority’s chairman. However, in the absence of a permanent chairman, the authority’s caretaker chairman Pervaiz Rathore will hear the reference.
According to the law, the board will have to complete the process from issuance of notice to that of personal hearing within one week.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2014.
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