Tag: PEMRA

  • PEMRA directs TV channels to not air Eid special shows

    PEMRA directs TV channels to not air Eid special shows

    The Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has requested news channels to not air pre-recorded or live special programmes on Eid-ul-Azha in solidarity with Kashmir.

    According to details, the electronic media regulator has said that airing of festive segments “may hurt sentiments of not only our nation but also of the Kashmiri brethren”. Hence the day will be “celebrated with simplicity as a religious event.”

    PEMRA told media outlets that August 14 will also be observed in “solidarity day with brave Kashmiris”.

    Meanwhile, August 15 will be observed as black day and the national flag will fly at half-mast. Media outlets have been requested to “turn their logos black and white throughout the day on August 15, 2019” to highlight Indian atrocities in Indian occupied Kashmir.

    On August 8, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has reiterated that no Indian movie will be screened in Pakistani cinemas. News channels had also been directed not to invite any Indian celebrity, politician, journalist, and analysts in their talk show for any kind of “comments” or “analysis”.

  • Geo News fined ten lakh rupees for Shahzeb Khanzada Show

    Geo News fined ten lakh rupees for Shahzeb Khanzada Show

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) fined Geo News ten Lakh rupees for airing a, “highly seditious and scandalous programme against National Accountability Bureau Chairman, retired Justice Javed Iqbal and maligning state institutions.”

    PEMRA says that GEO News’ prime time anchor, Shahzeb Khanzada in his programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath,” on July 18, discussed the highly controversial video which allegedly targeted the NAB chairman and did not take the point of view of the bureau as part of the program.

    NAB Chairman, Justice (Retired) Javed Iqbal was allegedly involved in a controversial video which was leaked online

    PEMRA also says that GEO News’ representative was unable to defend the program in his reply and arguments and also directed the channel to make an editorial committee to monitor their content before airing.

    A highly placed source at GEO News says that the fine is “completely unfair” and also asks how criticism of the NAB chairman is “highly seditious”?

    Judge for yourself. Watch the program here:

  • Coke’s Ad gets banned by PEMRA

    Coke’s Ad gets banned by PEMRA

    Extremism is no joke. Pakistan has suffered for the larger part of its history because of extremists. It’s something every single Pakistani is aware of and it’s nothing new. But using it as a casual term in a soft drink advertisement is.

    On July 28, after the Ad was released in a big social media and television campaign, singer and politician Jawad Ahmad tweeted: “The new #Coke Ad is an ugly interpretation of the word ‘Extremism’. It shows how low can marketing of a brand stoop to, just to make more money.

    It is dumb & immature of marketing team of Coke to use such a highly socially sensitive word so non-seriously just to sell their bottles.”

    Pakistan’s Electronic Media Regulatory Authority also found the advertisement to be problematic and has ordered that the Ad not be run on television or the radio until they review it. The Authority stated in their notice that they had gotten many complaints against the Ad and that, “the content of the advertisement is not only offensive but also tantamount to demeaning Pakistanis, as a nation.”

    PEMRA’s notice available on @ReportPEMRA ‘s twitter feed
    PEMRA’s notice available on @ReportPEMRA ‘s twitter feed

    It’s not clear what clause PEMRA has used to ban the Ad. The Authority will make it clear when the Ad is reviewed and the controversial content is omitted (which might be difficult in this case). Until then, judge for yourself.

    Watch the Ad here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIuU_kKWYZs