SPECIAL Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information
and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan has clarified that Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has not barred any television anchor from expressing views during talk shows. Taking to Twitter a day after PEMRA directed TV anchors not to give their “opinions” during talk shows and limited their role to a “moderator”, she said the anchorpersons are free to “discuss anything and everything” during their “exclusive shows”.
The nature of the PEMRA directive and its timing has created doubts about motive of the move that is being interpreted yet another curb on freedom of expression and media. No one can differ as far as impartiality of the anchor and the need for unbiased and fair analysis of an issue by the participants of a programme is concerned. Conjectures, wild allegations and indecent/abusive language must not be used in any talk show but this happened in some cases in the past and the regulatory body failed to take any action. The reiteration of the Authority’s existing code of conduct at this particular moment is being linked to the Azadi March apprehending that media is being barred from presenting different angles of the issue before the people. Similarly, the bar on anchors of regular talk shows from appearing as expert in other talk shows is also uncalled for. There should be no undue curbs on freedom of expression as healthy debate on different issues is deeply linked to transparency and growth of a healthy society.
