Reshuffling of channels: Punjab police, Pemra team strong-arming cable operators
COAP received letter from Pemra regional manager to put Geo back on preferred channel number.
Cable Operators Association of Pakistan Chairman Khalid Arain explained that under the law, cable operators are not bound to air TV channels on a particular number. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The Punjab police and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) enforcement team have now resorted to strong-arming and pressuring cable operators to Geo News and other channels of the group up in the cable network order, officials told Express News on Friday. Incidents were reported particularly in Lahore, they added.
Moreover, Cable Operators Association of Pakistan Chairman Khalid Arain claimed that the organisation received a letter from Pemra’s regional manager instructing them to undo the earlier channel re-shuffling. Cable operators had pushed Geo News down to a lower berth.
Arain explained that under the law, cable operators are not bound to air TV channels on a particular number. “It is the cable operators’ prerogative to place a channel on any number,” he added.
Pemra has not taken any action against Geo TV but it is taking action in its favour, claimed an official. “A meeting is due for May 27 in which Pemra is expected to take action but instead, it is taking measures to support it.”
He also questioned the Punjab police’s role in the strong-arming. “If the Punjab police is helping them [Geo TV], does that mean the Punjab government is helping them?”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2014.
The Punjab police and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) enforcement team have now resorted to strong-arming and pressuring cable operators to Geo News and other channels of the group up in the cable network order, officials told Express News on Friday. Incidents were reported particularly in Lahore, they added.
Moreover, Cable Operators Association of Pakistan Chairman Khalid Arain claimed that the organisation received a letter from Pemra’s regional manager instructing them to undo the earlier channel re-shuffling. Cable operators had pushed Geo News down to a lower berth.
Arain explained that under the law, cable operators are not bound to air TV channels on a particular number. “It is the cable operators’ prerogative to place a channel on any number,” he added.
Pemra has not taken any action against Geo TV but it is taking action in its favour, claimed an official. “A meeting is due for May 27 in which Pemra is expected to take action but instead, it is taking measures to support it.”
He also questioned the Punjab police’s role in the strong-arming. “If the Punjab police is helping them [Geo TV], does that mean the Punjab government is helping them?”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2014.