Case Update Status

Channel's transmission resumed

Summary of Case

On 30 April 2020, The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) issued show cause notice to Neo TV for non-compliance of license terms and conditions.

“Authority had directed NEO TV to stop violation of license category by airing news and current affairs programmes (which amounts to contravening the Pemra laws) and revert back to its approved programming content that is entertainment programing in accordance with the terms and conditions of the license,” the statement issued by Pemra said.

However, NEO TV challenged the directives of Pemra at the Islamabad High Court soon after its launch in 2015 and demanded that the authority change the category from entertainment to news and current affairs, but Pemra maintained that the official policy did not permit it.

The case was dismissed in March 2020 by the Islamabad High Court which upheld Pemra’s decision.

On May 07, 2020 the regulatory body suspended the license of channel after the expiry of its show-cause notice period as the transmissions by the channel were found to be illegal.

Pemra has said that due to the non-compliance of license terms and conditions and the orders of the authority, Pemra suspended the license given to M/s Fun Infotainment Pvt. Ltd NEO TV with immediate effect.

Later in May 2020 Neo Tv resolved the matter with PEMRA and now channel has news and current affairs license, bureau chief of Neo TV told PPF and said the transmission was resumed same month.

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

Dawn, Daily Times

Date of incident

30

Month

April

Year

2020

Name of affected person

No person affected

Other affected persons

No other person affcted

Name of affected organization

NEO TV

Other affected organizations

No other organization affected

Action by

Pakistan electronic Media Authority (PEMRA)

City

Karachi

Province

Sindh

Designation

Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

Professional category

Not Applicable Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

Age of victim

Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

Date of compensation announcement by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

Date of compensation paid by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

Amount of compensation announced by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

Date of compensation announced by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

Date compensation paid by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

Court where case was presented: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

APNS

CPNE

PBA

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

Employer organization

Later in May 2020 Neo Tv resolved the matter with PEMRA and now channel has news and current affairs license, bureau chief of Neo TV told PPF and said the transmission was resumed same month.

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued show cause notice to TV channel

Press club 2:

Press club 3: