Case Update Status

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on October 7, 2022 ordered Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to restore ARY News transmission.

Summary of Case

"On October 7, 2022 the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to restore ARY News transmission. On October 6, the PEMRA suspended transmission of ARY News for three days. Plaintiff Shah Khalid along with advocate Kashif Ali Malik appeared before the IHC in the case. The IHC while ordering immediate restoration of ARY News transmission directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority to appoint an officer to visit ARY Newsroom and evolve a ‘time delay mechanism’. The court has also issued notice to the PEMRA for Monday and has sought a response from the regulatory body. The PEMRA alleged that the suspension orders were issued regarding the ARY News and BOL News in view of the lack of an effective ‘time delay mechanism’. It is pertinent to mention here that ARY News used ‘time delay mechanism’ while airing PTI’s Gujranwala public rally but it was targeted again by the PEMRA. Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) announced to challenge PEMRA’s moves against ARY News and BOL News in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). PFUJ condemns suspension of ARY News transmission Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the suspension of ARY News transmission, terming it an ‘unfortunate act’. Talking to ARY News programme Bakhabar Sawera, PFUJ President Afzal Butt termed the suspension of channel’s transmission an ‘unfortunate act’, saying that coalition government illegally suspended the channel for four times. He further criticised the federal government, saying that the ruling coalition issued notice after suspending the channel. “The channel was not being given a chance to clarify its stance,” he added."

Category of Incident

Censorship

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0803-Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

ICCS Group: 08039-Other acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

ICCS Class: N/A

ICCS Crime: Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

Reported By

Twitter

Date of incident

6

Month

October

Year

2022

Name of affected person

No person was affected

Other affected persons

No other person was affected

Name of affected organization

ARY News

Other affected organizations

No other person was affected

Action by

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)

City

Nationwide

Province

Nationwide

Designation

Media Organisation

Professional category

Media Organisation

Age of victim

Not Applicable

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: Compensation not announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: Compensation not announced

Date of compensation paid by government: Compensation not announced

Amount of compensation announced by others: Compensation not announced

Date of compensation announced by others: Compensation not announced

Date compensation paid by others: Compensation not announced

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Notice issued by PEMRA

Court where case was presented: Notice issued by PEMRA

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Notice issued by PEMRA

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Notice issued by PEMRA

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

"PFUJ President Afzal Butt termed the suspension of channel’s transmission an ‘unfortunate act’, saying that coalition government illegally suspended the channel for four times. He further criticised the federal government, saying that the ruling coalition issued notice after suspending the channel. “The channel was not being given a chance to clarify its stance,” he added."

APNS

N/A

CPNE

N/A

PBA

N/A

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Condemned

Employer organization

Condemned

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Condemned

Press club 2: N/A

Press club 3: