Pakistan bans broadcast of content against judges


Islamabad, Mar 9 (IANS): The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Thursday prohibited the broadcasting and re-broadcasting of content pertaining to the conduct of sitting high court and Supreme Court judges on electronic media with immediate effect, the media reported.

In the prohibition order, the regulator referred to previous directives wherein all licencees were directed to "refrain from telecasting any content against state institutions", Dawn reported.

The authority noted that despite repeated directives, satellite television channels were "persistently discussing the conduct of honourable judges of superior courts and orchestrating a vilification campaign through airing slanderous allegations", Dawn reported.

It said that airing any sort of content which prima facie refers to the conduct of judges or is against the superior judiciary is a sheer violation of the authority's laws and judgements of the apex court.

Pemra also gave a reference to Article 68 of the Constitution in its order. The law states: "No discussion shall take place in [Majlis-e- Shoora (Parliament)] with respect to the conduct of any Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court in the discharge of his duties."

"Therefore, the competent authority i.e. chairman Pemra, in exercise of delegated powers of the authority vested in Section 27(a) of the Pemra Ordinance 2002 as amended by Pemra (Amendment) Act 2007, prohibits broadcast/rebroadcast of any content pertaining to conduct of Honourable sitting judges of High Court and Supreme Court, in any manner, on electronic media (news bulletins, talks shows etc.), with immediate effect," the order said.

The authority also directed all satellite TV channels to ensure that an effective Time Delay Mechanism is put in place and an "impartial editorial board" is constituted.

In case of non-compliance, the licence will be suspended under Section 30 of the Pemra Ordinance, 2002 without any show cause notice in the public interest, the order said, Dawn reported.

 

  

Top Stories


Leave a Comment

Title: Pakistan bans broadcast of content against judges



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.