PEMRA has suspended license of 24 News
FOE Link or motive by PPF
ConfirmedCase Update Status
Channel resumed after 3 three days of ban.
Summary of Case
On 31 Aug, 2020 Electronic media regulator PEMRA has suspended the license of 24 News Television for airing hateful content.
The regulator said that the channel aired the objectionable content without exercising editorial control during its Moharram transmission.
PEMRA said it received complaints from viewers through social media. Acting on those complaints, the authority suspended the license under Section 30 (3) of PEMRA ordinance.
PEMRA has also issued a show-cause notice to 24 News and given them 14 days to respond.
On 30-Oct-2020, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the misuse of PEMRA laws for score-settling and arm twisting of media, quite evident in Channel 24’s case, as its entire operations remain suspended since August 31.
President Shazada Zulfiqar and Secretary-General Nasir Zaidi criticized the ruthless and uncalled for PEMRA policies. They said the regulator had become politicized and following an anti-media agenda instead of acting as an autonomous and independent body.
On Apr 10, 2021, Bureau Chief of 24 News Channel Mr. Asif Jafri told PPF that channel was resumed after three days of suspension and the content was not objectionable.
Category of Incident
Censorship
ICCS Status
ICCS Divisions: 0803-Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression
ICCS Group: 08032 -Acts related to expressions of controlled social beliefs and norms
ICCS Class: 080321 -Violations of norms on religious beliefs/views
ICCS Crime: Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression
Reported By
Journalism Pakistan
Date of incident
31
Month
Aug
Year
2020
Name of affected person
No person affected
Other affected persons
No other person affected
Name of affected organization
24 News
Other affected organizations
No other organization affected
Action by
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)
City
Islamabad
Province
Capital Territory
Designation
Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
Professional category
Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
Age of victim
Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
Marital Status
N/ACompensation Details
Amount of compensation announced by government: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
Date of compensation announcement by government: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
Date of compensation paid by government: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
Amount of compensation announced by others: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
Date of compensation announced by others: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
Date compensation paid by others: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
FIR Details
Was FIR registered ?: No
Court Details
Was case investigated ?: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
Court where case was presented: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
Name of prosecuting lawyer: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
Date of first court hearing:
Date of last court hearing:
Status of court case: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
Journalist Union Status
PFUJ
Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
APNS
CPNE
PBA
Media Source Status
Media reports:
https://www.journalismpakistan.com/PEMRA-suspends-24-News-license-31-08-2020Condemn Status
Colleague of victim
Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
Employer organization
On Apr 10, 2021, Bureau Chief of 24 News Channel Mr. Asif Jafri told PPF that channel was resumed after three days of suspension and the content was not objectionable.
Press Club Status
Press club 1: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.
Press club 2:
Press club 3: