Pemra directs TV channels to refrain from airing 'unpleasant incidents', including terror attacks
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has directed all satellite television channels to refrain from the broadcast, re-broadcast and live coverage of any “unfortunate/unpleasant incident such as explosion, blast, firing, terrorist attack etc.” In an order dated Oct 13, a copy of which is available with Dawn , the media regulator said satellite television channels…
Islamabad: Pakistan's media watchdog, Pemra, has issued strict guidelines to all satellite TV channels, instructing them to refrain from broadcasting, re-broadcasting, or providing live coverage of any "unfortunate or unpleasant incidents" such as explosions, blasts, firing, or terrorist attacks. According to an order issued on October 13, these channels are required to only disseminate information that has been verified and confirmed by the relevant department or law enforcement agency.
The regulation emphasizes the importance of using a time delay mechanism and establishing an independent editorial board in compliance with Pemra laws and a Supreme Court judgment from 2018, as well as an Islamabad High Court order from 2022, all aimed at ensuring proper utilization of the prescribed delay mechanism. Violations of these rules could result in legal action under Sections 29-A, 30, and 33 of the Pemra Ordinance of 2002.
This directive builds upon a similar order issued by Pemra in February 2023. The announcement comes amid the imposition of governor's rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, following weeks of escalating political tensions between the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. After the latter announced a long march to Islamabad to demand the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan, a protest by PTI workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bara tehsil turned violent on Tuesday.
The demonstrators torched government buildings and clashed with riot police, escalating the situation further.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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