Islamabad
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has imposed a fine of Rs one million on a private television (TV) news channel for airing defamatory content against Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari in October last year.
‘Fine amounting to Rupees one million (Rs. 1,000,000) is Imposed upon M/S Galaxy Broadcasting Network (Pvt.) Ltd./ Channel-92,’ read the copy of decision available with APP. The authority noted that the private media house had violated clause 22 (1) of the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisement) Code of Conduct, 2015 by airing false allegations against Zulfikar Bukhari in its two programmes ‘Jawab Chahiye’, hosted by Dr Danish, and ‘News Report’ aired on October 17 and 18, respectively.
Issuing censure for airing baseless and defamatory material against the SAPM without any evidence and providing him an opportunity to defend, the PEMRA warned the channel and anchorperson of strict action against airing any such a defamatory news programme against anybody in future. The decision to this effect was taken by the PEMRA on the recommendations of its Council of Complaints (CoC) , Islamabad which heard the arguments of both parties including the SAPM and M/S Galaxy Broadcasting Network (Pvt.) Ltd, during its 65th meeting held here on January 2.
The PEMRA advised the channel to ensure compliance of the decision within seven days of issuing of the notification.
