PEMRA Issues Advice To Television Channels Over Misreporting Orders

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Friday issued warning to television channels over misreporting orders of Lahore High Court.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Aug, 2017 ) : Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Friday issued warning to television channels over misreporting orders of Lahore High Court.

A press release issued here said that has been noticed that on August 24 all major news channels misreported order of Lahore High Court in "Amna Malik Vs Federation of Pakistan and Others". Perhaps, in order to take lead in rating, news channels started misreporting regarding the above referred court order at the time when proceedings in the above mentioned petition were still in process and the written decision of the Honorable Court was not issued.

These news and analysis were contrary to the order of The Lahore High Court which were actually received at PEMRA Headquarters on next day through fax. This irresponsible, unprofessional act of satellite tv Channels not only created uncalled for sensationalism with regard to the proceedings of the court but also further damaged the credibility of the TV channels which have been fined and warned in the past over airing a number of false news.

Moreover, coverage of court proceedings in such a highly unprofessional manner clearly indicates that the editorial boards of the media houses have failed. The Lahore High Court has also shown its displeasure (Friday Proceedings) over misreporting of the proceedings of the court in the media.

PEMRA has time and again advised the broadcast licensees to desist from airing unauthentic news. But unfortunately in recent past it has been noticed that licensees are not exercising proper editorial control on issues and in this regard no positive steps have been adopted.

This is sheer violation of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 and Code of Conduct 2015. In view of the forgoing, all Satellite TV Channel Licensees are hereby once again advised to refrain from airing factually incorrect news / reports, as their unprofessional acts are harming the credibility of the state institutions.

The operative part of the order of the Lahore High Court, Lahore is reproduced here under: ".....Notice for 12.09.2017. In the meantime, respondents No. 7 & 8 shall ensure compliance of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Rules, 2009 and the Electronic Media Code of Conduct, 2015....." Moreover, all the news channel are also advised to comply with PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, PEMRA Rules 2009 and Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015, in letter and spirit.

This is a serious issue and PEMRA would follow it up with Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA). APP/mhn/kmd � 18:56/19:07/19:07