Tag: PEMRA

  • Imran govt says it has nothing to do with Geo owner’s arrest, taking channel off the air

    Imran govt says it has nothing to do with Geo owner’s arrest, taking channel off the air

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said the government should not be linked with the action taken by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) with regard to the arrest of Jang/Geo Group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman, or Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) reported action against the media outlet.

    With the media outlet waging war on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, alleging that the “fake case” against its editor-in-chief was rooted in Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s “personal vendetta against Geo and its owner”, and that the developments from earlier this week had “exposed the unholy alliance between the government and NAB”, the mouthpiece of the government has clarified the situation.

    “The government had nothing to do with the matter while the NAB was an independent body and unnecessary propaganda was being made against the government,” Dr Firdous said Friday, emphasising that the PTI government believed in freedom of media and actions taken by the anti-graft body or the media watchdog should not be viewed as otherwise.

    Dr Firdous contended that none was a “sacred cow” and it was unfair to target the government for this, while PM Imran had waged a struggle for the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution for the last 22 years. She said some people were treating the law as their personal commodity and added that the government had to present its position, as she alleged a “one-sided picture” was being painted by the media house.

    “We came to know about his [Rehman] arrest through media,” the SAPM said, adding that a person belonging to the media fraternity had filed a complaint against another individual while the government had nothing to do with it. The government, she said, believed strongly in media freedom and was geared up to remove any hurdle in its way.

    Dr Firdous was of the view that Geo should also present the government’s point of view as well as of NAB and reiterated that the government was not a party in this case.

    She said that the government considered media as its partner and hailed Jang/Geo Group’s independent editorial policies. Praising the group’s unbiased analyses on the government’s policies, she said, “We take guidance from them.”

    Defending the government, she said that Jang and Geo Media Group was a media organisation and how could the government lock its horns with it, saying the Group was not the government’s political rival.

    “Dispel this perception! You are a media house, what enmity could the government have with you. You are not a political entity. You are not our political enemy. You are an independent media house and we understand that remaining that way is your strength,” she noted.

    Asked about Imran Khan’s repeated statements: ‘Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, I shall see you’ and was not the Thursday’s action with reference to this, she said that those had been made when he (MSR) had come out of the apex court and said that journalism was not his only business: it was just one part.

    She said, “We are looking at him from two angles: as the head of a media organisation and as a businessman. This case has been made not because he is the owner of a media house but because he is a businessman. The issue is that of the allotment of 54 plots from the then chief minister.” “NAB provided questionnaires in this regard to which he was unable to respond and based on which he was arrested. The Group should not associate such actions with the government. They should not show just one side of the picture,” she emphasised.

    Dr Firdous contended that it was unfair to term his arrest a part of revenge tactics by the government for his media house’s stance and said to call this revenge or to say this was carried out according to the government’s wishes was unfair and unjust and that every person had the right to prove his innocence in the face of allegations levelled against him.

    “Allegations are made every day and politicians, bureaucrats and others also face cases, but after these allegations are made, evidence is produced in the court, and both sides are given the chance to present evidence supporting their stance and then announces a just decision on the basis of facts,” she said.

    She emphasised that truth would prevail in this case, and added that Prime Minister Imran Khan had worked hard towards strengthening institutions and making them independent, which were previously in a bad shape.

    Dr Firdous claimed that under the prime minister’s governance, institutions were working freely. However, after the arrest, to continuously say the government had killed press freedom and to connect these two things, and to use a watchdog to push an agenda against the government goes against the principles of journalism.

    “We expect NAB to present evidence in the court on the basis of which it arrested MSR so that this move can be justified in the eyes of the law and the Constitution. In the same way, we expect him and the analysts and journalists from his media house to submit evidence to the court attesting to his innocence instead of attacking the government and becoming themselves a court,” she said.

    She contended the courts were free and independent and then asked did the rest of the people arrested by NAB had the right to have discussions on media channels this way or have debates about the case, and pressurise investigation officers.

  • Cable operators directed to shut down Geo TV

    Cable operators directed to shut down Geo TV

    Soon after Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan’s press conference on the arrest of Jang/Geo Group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman, cable operators started receiving directions to shut down Geo TV’s broadcast or shift the channel to last numbers, the private media outlet has reported.

    The channel was shifted to last numbers in various cities and its broadcast was also disrupted after Dr Firdous’ presser. Geo’s News Director Rana Jawad said that the directives to cable operators had come from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). 

    “Cable operators are being asked to change Geo’s position [on TV channel numbers]. Shifting the channel to the last numbers means shutting down its broadcast,” he said.

    Jawad said these instructions were also given to the main cable operator in Islamabad and that no legal basis was provided for the action. He said that PEMRA was threatening to take legal actions against cable operators who did not comply with the instructions. 

    He said that Geo tried to contact PEMRA chairman for clarification on the matter but he could not be reached. Jawad added that a cable operator in Islamabad had shifted Geo from number 7 to 71 and that cable operators in other cities were following suit. 

    “This is being done at a time when the editor-in-chief of the Jang/Geo Group has been arrested by NAB,” he said. “This [censorship] is a manifestation of the conspiracy to shut down, silence and end media,” he added.

  • National Assembly committee thinks slogan ‘Mera Jism, Meri Marzi’ is ‘immoral’

    National Assembly committee thinks slogan ‘Mera Jism, Meri Marzi’ is ‘immoral’

    In a supposed attempt to curb ‘moral indecency’ allegedly linked to the Aurat March, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting urged the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to direct all media channels to stop telecasting slogans like “Mera Jism, Meri Marzi”.

    The NA body held a meeting on Thursday under the chairmanship of Mian Javed Latif of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    The committee asked the government to check the telecast of indecent and controversial content on television channels with a special reference to the slogans related to the Aurat March annually held on the International Women’s Day. The committee decided to take up the issue with PEMRA and owners of the electronic media houses.

    A lawmaker, Aftab Jahangir, expressed ‘concern’ over the language used by “certain people in news channel programmes” saying it was repugnant to the Islamic teachings, which no person could “watch in the presence of family members”.

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said Islam was the champion of women’s rights, and anything against the religion and socio-cultural values would not be allowed.

    The constitution gives the right of freedom of speech but being the citizens of an Islamic and democratic country “we have some responsibilities and values”.

    “Nobody would be allowed to ridicule the ‘Islamic way’ of life in the name of freedom of speech,” the SAPM stressed.

    Dr Firdous said it was not an issue of the government but that of the entire society. The government, however, was committed to protecting the constitutional, legal, political, social and economic rights of women.

    ‘NO ONE CAN STOP AURAT MARCH’:

    Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that “no maulana, politician or anchorperson can stop women from holding the march”.

    Speaking at a women convention by PPP Punjab in Lahore on Thursday, he said Benazir Bhutto had always fought against terrorism with courage.

    “The people who say that women would not march should hear loud and clear that they will march and no one can stop them. This path was shown by Benazir Bhutto. The PPP is standing shoulder to shoulder with women of this country and we demand the government provide protection to each and every march and the people threatening women be arrested and cases registered against them.”

    He said women were not begging, rather they were seeking their constitutional rights. “This is Pakistan of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Pakistan of every woman the country. This is not a Pakistan for the conservatives.”

    The PPP, Bilawal added, was a party of prosperity for the people of Pakistan. “Women know the best about the economy of the country because they manage homes. Women will take the PPP’s message of prosperity to every nook and corner of this country.”

    The PPP chief further said that his party had always raised voice for women empowerment.

  • Anchor seals PEMRA office, takes officials hostage at gunpoint

    Anchor seals PEMRA office, takes officials hostage at gunpoint

    Officials of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) were earlier this month reportedly detained by an anchor, who had stormed the media watchdog’s Lahore office with the help of three of his police guards and two other unidentified persons.

    According to The News, a top PEMRA official on February 13 found the anchor calling him on WhatsApp after barging into the office, shouting and directing his companions to seal the premises and barring anyone from entering or exiting the building.

    Three police guards deputed for his security helped him lay siege at the office, while two persons in plain clothes also accompanied the journalist who had arrived on a Toyota Corolla bearing a green number plate, the report said.

    He further shouted asking for CCTV cameras and instructed his men to confiscate them, it added.

    As the siege continued, PEMRA Lahore’s regional general manager came out of his room and request the anchor to discuss with him his grievances, the anchor followed the official to his room and ordered his police guards to lock it from inside while staying alert with the weapons.

    Finally, the manager was also made hostage along with his two guests. It was from there, the anchor called up a top PEMRA official in Islamabad and put it on speakerphone.

    “Do you want to continue your job or not?” the anchor asked the top official. “Yes, I want to continue,” was the reply. Second question, “If I ask you to delegate me all of your powers, would you do that or not?” “I will do that,” the official responded.

    The third question by the anchor was if he put the official’s phone on hold for an hour, would he wait or disconnect the call? “I will wait.”

    This followed requests from the top official who wanted the anchor to forgive PEMRA. He also told the journalist that the action taken against him was a mistake, the report claimed and added that the media watchdog official further promised that he would visit Lahore to personally apologise to the anchor.

    The conversation ended after this reassurance and Lahore PEMRA regional general manager was a silent spectator.

    According to the report, PEMRA’s Council of Complaints had fined the anchor Rs500,000 while taking action on the complaint of two provincial ministers. The anchor had alleged them of corrupt practices in his TV programme but failed to prove the same. PEMRA chairman had approved the decision and it was delivered to the anchor on the day he attacked the office in retaliation instead of opting for a legal remedy.

    As the matter was “resolved” after assurance of the top PEMRA official, the anchor decided to celebrate it at PEMRA’s Lahore office where he remained from 3 pm to 6 pm. He ordered the accompanying men in plain clothes to go get 10 pizzas.

    While the anchor apologised to his hostages for any “inconvenience”, he let the staff know about the powers he enjoyed, the report said.

    Taking names of high-ups in the judiciary and security agencies, he “tried to give an impression that he was very influential and also got the support of all the named institutions”, Regional General Manager Ikram Barkat noted in a written report sent to the PEMRA chairman.

    “He also told us that he has powers given by the Supreme Court (SC) to seal any premises and has the seals available in his vehicles to do so. For reference, he quoted an incident where he sealed a hospital for three days.”

    While the report sent to the PEMRA chief is being treated as a ‘top-secret’ and the name of the journalist has not been disclosed, sources in the media regulatory authority have informed The Current that the anchor is affiliated with BOL Network.

    Repeated attempts were made to contact the journalist, but he was unavailable.

  • Regulating Freedom

    Regulating Freedom

    Earlier this month, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) uploaded a draft proposal on its website on regulating web and over the top television (OTT) content services.

    After going through the 25-page draft proposal, The Current is of the view that this is yet another effort by the government to silence independent voices. First of all, PEMRA has no authority and/or mandate to regulate social media. Secondly, Pakistan’s mainstream media is going through its worst period of censorship –- that too under a “democratic” dispensation. Pakistan is ranked 142 out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2019 World Press Freedom Index, i.e. three places lower than it was in 2018.

    Many Pakistani journalists have taken to social media to share their uncensored views online due to media censorship. Now, the government wants to regulate the internet by charging a hefty amount in fees for web TVs (both news and non-news) and OTTs and also issue licenses. They are also proposing a code of conduct without giving out any details. Reporters Without Borders rightly said that this draft proposal by PEMRA “betrays an intent to censor online video content relentlessly”. If this draft is not to discourage online content creators then what is? We, at The Current, firmly believe in freedom of expression and thus any moves to curtail our freedoms, our fundamental rights and our right to dissent, are unacceptable. Period.

    It is quite disappointing to see that a government that fully utilised social media and mainstream media before coming to power is now trying to shut down critics’ voices. Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan recently said that he has stopped reading newspapers and watching evening news/current affairs shows because the media hammers him all the time is surprising, given that PM Imran has been media’s darling from the first day. His government is being criticised for its lack of performance and delivery. We believe the premier should not demonise media that helped him during his struggling days in politics and made him relevant.

    It is also quite alarming to see that peaceful protesters in Islamabad were arrested and charges of sedition were levelled against them. Their only crime was to be a part of a protest seeking the release of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) Manzoor Pashteen. Some were released, but 23 political activists and human rights defenders, including Ammar Rashid and Nawfal Saleemi, are still under arrest — not to mention citizens like Khurram Qureshi who was there for solidarity. Their families are not being allowed to meet them despite the fact that it is their legal right. We would like to ask the government how it is sedition to protest peacefully when it is our fundamental right to do so. Releasing these protestors would be the right thing to do.

    From censorship in media to curbing online dissent to booking peaceful protesters under sedition charges, the state of Pakistan is acting more like a police state and less as a democracy. Let’s not go down this path.

  • Rights groups denounce PEMRA’s efforts to regulate web content

    Rights groups denounce PEMRA’s efforts to regulate web content

    Digital rights activists on Tuesday rejected the proposal of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to regulate digital content and Over the Top TV (OTT).

    According to the details, PEMRA on Tuesday released a document titled “Consultation on Regulating the Web TV & OTT Content Services” on its website, seeking comments on the matter by February 14, which drew strong reactions.

    The document proposes a number of regulatory guidelines, including licensing, inspection, content regulation and putting a complaint handling mechanism in place for web TV and OTT platforms.

    In response to the document, the participants were of the view that any such measures would cause regression in Pakistan’s digital growth. Furthermore, that the measures would curb freedom of expression, increase censorship and diminish digital rights for Pakistanis.

    A press release in this regard said that the draft regulations “are thinly disguised as draconian attempts to discourage new media journalism, including YouTube/website channels being run by Pakistani journalists who have been forced out from mainstream media over the past two years by the authorities to curtail their professional and/or entrepreneurial work or dozens of entrepreneurial and non-legacy current affairs news and current affairs websites that are filling the gaps in information from legacy media and providing useful local community information”.

  • Kashif Abbasi hosts show after PEMRA lifts 60-day ban within 24 hours

    Kashif Abbasi hosts show after PEMRA lifts 60-day ban within 24 hours

    Anchor Kashif Abbasi has hosted his show “Off The Record” after the 60-day ban imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (PEMRA) was lifted within 24 hours of its imposition, following the submission of a written reply by Ary News.

    On Wednesday, the media watchdog had issued a notification banning Abbasi for 60 days for “acting unprofessionally” and “not intervening” when Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda produced a boot to put down political opponents during Abbasi’s show.

    The ban was roundly condemned by the Association of Electronic  Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND), which called for the ban to be lifted immediately. 

    Vawda had earlier this week appeared on the talk show along with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) representative Javed Abbasi. He had caught the guests by surprise by suddenly placing a black boot on the table they were sitting around.

    He was mocking the opposition parties for their “unconditional” support for the Army Act amendment bill, saying the parties were “lying down to kiss the boot”.

    PEMRA, in its notification, had said the content aired live during the programme appeared to be a “willful attempt to debase and demean a state institution by dragging it unnecessarily in a debate”.

    “Therefore, in view of the aforementioned reasons the competent authority decides that in the exercise of delegated powers of the authority, the broadcast or rebroadcast of the programme is prohibited with immediate effect for 60 days starting from January 6, 2020.”

    The media regulatory authority further said Abbasi was also banned from appearing on television for 60 days. During the ban, he was not to conduct his show or appear on the television channel he was associated with or any other television channel as a guest/analyst or expert.

    In case of non-compliance by the TV channel, the authority said it would proceed under PEMRA laws, which may result in suspension/revocation of the satellite TV channel license conferred to the television channel.

    Amid protests by the journalist community, ARY reportedly approached PEMRA with its right to reply and was subsequently allowed to continue with the programme with Abbasi in his chair.

  • Kashif Abbasi’s program banned because of Faisal Vawda’s boot

    Kashif Abbasi’s program banned because of Faisal Vawda’s boot

    ARY News’ prime time anchor Kashif Abbasi has been banned from hosting his program and appearing on any other channel for 60 days by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).

    The PEMRA notice was sent to the anchor, the channel and posted on Twitter, saying that the program in which PTI’s Faisal Vawda brought a military boot and put it on the table to ridicule the PML-N and PPP, was an “attempt to debase a state institution”.

    PEMRA ORDER PAGE ONE

    PEMRA said that Vawda’s actions were “derogatory” and “extremely frivolous” and he “performed a very unethical act” when starting his argument on the program.

    PEMRA added that Kashif was “quite unprofessional who actually did not intervene or stopped that unethical act,” and claimed that Kashif, “kept smiling/cherishing such occurence.”

    PEMRA ORDER PAGE TWO

    READ MORE: ‘#PTIDisrespectsArmy‘: Military unhappy with Vawda over shoe stunt?

    The ban comes after an uproar on social media and television after Faisal Vawda brought the boot to the program. The Current did a poll on it’s Instagram account and this is what more than 430 people voted on:

    The Current Poll

    Haven’t seen the video yet?

    WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: Faisal Vawda puts military boot on the table in a talk show

    Haven’t seen The Current Life’s interview with Kashif Abbasi, which was done five minutes before he went live (And in which Faisal Vawda was also a guest)? Watch it here:

  • ‘Pemra should not suppress individual’s rights,’ PTI leaders slam new order

    ‘Pemra should not suppress individual’s rights,’ PTI leaders slam new order

    Senior leaders of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have slammed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on a new order that had banned TV anchors from appearing on talk shows hosted by other anchors.

    Former finance minister Asad Umer, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari and Federal Minister for Science & Technology Fawad Chauhdry have expressed their dismay over Pemra’s decision and urged the media watchdog to do a better job.

    Asad Umar took to Twitter and wrote that “Pemra should be doing a better job and asked it to take action against fake news rather than suppress individual’s rights to express their opinion”.

    Human rights minister Shireen Mazari also weighed in on the order and tweeted that, “Do I need a degree in politics to be an expert on politics? I have no degree in “human rights” so should I go on TV to discuss “human rights” issues?”

    Agreeing with the Shireen Mazari, Fawad Ch termed the Pemra order illogical, unnecessary and uncalled for.

    Moreover, several journalists including Shahzeb Khanzada, Mansoor Ali Khan, Fereeha and Shahzad Iqbal have criticised the move and urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to take notice.

    The regulatory authority on Sunday, through a notification, banned regular TV talk show anchors from appearing in other talk shows and warned those indulging in “inappropriate and biased analyses and negative propaganda” of action.

    According to a Pemra’s notification, under its regulations, anchors are liable to host the show impartially and objectively without giving verdict on any issue.

  • Did PEMRA just ban Knorr Noodles and Surf Excel Ads?

    Did PEMRA just ban Knorr Noodles and Surf Excel Ads?

    Yes, it sure did. Pakistan’s Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA) has banned Pakistani television channels from airing advertisements with Indian actors, characters and talent because of the recent escalation of Indian aggression in occupied Kashmir.

    PEMRA’s notice via twitter

    But wait a minute. How are Safeguard soap, Surf Excel, Dettol, Knorr Noodles and Fogg Body Spray ads Indian? Although PEMRA doesn’t clarify which ads have Indian actors and talent they have also banned ads that have “various products of multinationals , which are either produced in India or carrying Indian characters…” suggesting that the list of products/companies they have provided might have had content produced in India.

    This is the perfect opportunity for ad agencies to pitch to the companies listed since the ban will stay in affect until the ads are replaced by ones produced in Pakistan. PEMRA also says that if TV channels continue to air the ads, legal action will be taken against them and the TV channel’s license can be suspended.