The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Saturday “prohibited live/recorded coverage of any kind of rally, public gathering, procession by any party, organization and individual” for Saturday (March 18).
The ban has also been imposed on coverage of the rally or procession by any political party from the Judicial Complex, Islamabad, said a notification of PEMRA shared with the media. According to the notification, the “Competent Authority” imposed the ban while “exercising powers vested under Section 27(a) of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007.”
In case of non-compliance, PEMRA said “license shall be suspended under Section 30 (3) of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, without any show cause notice in the public interest along with other enabling provisions of law.”
The action to this effect was taken as the Law Enforcement Agency of Islamabad communicated its concern to PEMRA regarding the airing of “live footage/images of a violent mob, attacks on police and law enforcing agencies” by satellite TV channels.
It was noted that live telecasts of such footage on different satellite TV channels created chaos and panic among the viewers and Police.
“Airing of such content is in violation of the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan passed in Suo Moto Case No. 28 of 2018 reported as PLD 2019 Supreme Court1, Section 20 of PEMRA Ordinance, 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, Rule 15(1) of PEMRA Rules, 2009, Regulation 18 of PEMRA (Television Broadcast Station Operations) Regulations 2012, Clause 4 (10), 5, 17 & 24 of Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015 read with Section 27 of PEMRA Ordinance, 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007,” read the notification.
