ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) hasissued show cause notices to three news channels for airing fake newsagainst Shehbaz Gil, the focal person of Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar.
PEMRA swung into action after receiving a complaint from Rubina Afzal,Director of Electronic Media in Directorate General of Public Relations,Government of Punjab.
The notices sent out to Jaag Broadcasting System Ltd, Neo TV, and Samaa TV,on Thursday, state that the two channels ran “a fake, unsubstantial andfabricated Breaking News on April 4 regarding notification by Office ofChief Minister Punjab for inspection of different government schools by Dr.Shehbaz Gill.[image: View image on Twitter]link:View image on Twitter]link:View image on Twitter] linklinkTwitter Ads info and privacy linklink
The notice lamented the said TV channels for broadcasting a story withouttaking input from the person in question or any other government officialand called it an utter disregard to journalistic ethics and PEMRA Code ofConduct.
The notice highlights the Sections of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 that wereallegedly violated by the TV channels and were asked to submit a replywithin seven days.
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The media regulatory authority has also summoned CEOs of Samaa and JaagNetwork to appear in person on the hearing day and verify the authenticityof the news report.
The hearing is set for April 11 at PEMRA Headquarter in Islamabad. Itfurther warns the concerned authorities of legal action in case ofnon-compliance.
