ISLAMABAD – The Pakistanlink ElectronicMedia Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has directed the newslink channels to not air‘unsubstantiated, judgmental and unipolar remarks’ regarding NationalAccountability Bureau (NAB) and its functioning.
In a letter, the regulatory body said it has been monitored that “SatelliteTV licensees of (News & Current Affairs category)” are indulged in airingsuch content without getting official point of view of the Bureau with analleged intent to malign the state institution.
It further clarified that “airing of such unsubstantiated and unipolarremarks are in absolute disregard to the earlier instructions of theAuthority issued from time to time especially in compliance to the ordersof the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistanlink passed in SOU MOTO CASE NO.28 OF 2018 dated 12.09.2020 regarding prohibition of discussion onsub-judice and under trail cases”.
“Whereas, airing of such content is also in violation of Section-20 (d) &(f) of PEMRA link Ordinance 2002 asamended by PEMRA link (Amendment)Act-2007, Rule 15(10 of PEMRAlink Rules2009 and Clause 3(10(i), 4(2), 4(4), 14(7) (a,&c), 4(10), 5, 17 & 22 ofElectronic Media (Programmes & Advertisements) Code of Conduct-20I5,” readthe letter.
Expressing concerns, he said that the activity is continued despite advice,warnings, notices, and even the training sessions with the media persons /reporters.
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Moreover, the PEMRA link hasfurther instructed the licencees and anchorpersons to discuss theinvestigation/under trail matters in such manner only to provideinformation to the public and to avoid airing of content includingcommentary, opinion & suggestions about the potential fate of such caseswhich tends to prejudice the determination by a court, tribunal or agencyetc.
“The licensees are further advised to tighten their editorial oversight andto review the content of Programmes / talk shows through their respectiveIn-House Monitoring Committees,” it said.
