Pemra directs TV channels to refrain from airing 'unpleasant incidents', including terror attacks

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has instructed satellite television channels to avoid covering unpleasant incidents such as explosions, blasts, firefights, and terrorist attacks. According to a Pemra order dated October 13, the media regulator emphasized that channels must only broadcast information verified by the department or law enforcement agency responsible.

Channels were also required to employ a time delay mechanism and establish an independent editorial board in compliance with Pemra laws and two recent Supreme Court judgments from 2018 and 2022. Failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in legal action under specific sections of the Pemra Ordinance 2002. The directive is a follow-up to a similar order issued by Pemra in February 2023.

The context for this regulation emerged as the federal government imposed a governor's rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Sunday, citing the provincial government's lack of cooperation in the fight against terrorism. This decision came after weeks of escalating political tensions between the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after the latter announced a long march to Islamabad to demand the release of its imprisoned founder, Imran Khan.

On Tuesday, a violent protest by PTI supporters in KP's Bara tehsil erupted when participants set fire to government buildings and clashed with riot police.