PEMRA Law Amendment Bill 2023
FOE Link or motive by PPF
ConfirmedCase Update Status
On July 20 federal government announced to amend PEMRA bill.
Summary of Case
"On July 20, 2023, an announcement was made by the federal government regarding forthcoming significant legislation relating to media regulations. Insiders have disclosed that the Ministry of Information has formulated the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Law Amendment Bill 2023. This bill is set to be presented to the National Assembly for its endorsement in the near future. The primary objective of this amendment is to establish a platform within the legal framework for journalists and media personnel to address issues related to complaints and overdue payments. In line with the proposed bill's provisions, media proprietors will be legally obligated to ensure salary disbursement within a span of 60 days. Non-compliance could lead to the withholding of official advertisements for TV channels. The fresh legislation also encompasses a clause addressing disinformation, prohibiting the dissemination of news that is influenced by personal, political, or financial interests. Moreover, news lacking the perspective of all involved parties will also be classified as disinformation. To effectively handle employee grievances, the establishment of an Employees Grievance Council in Islamabad and the provinces is in the works. This council will be composed of a chairman and five members, including representatives from the Pakistan Broadcasting Association (PBA) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). The Grievance Council's tenure will span two years, during which it will possess the authority to decide on channel license suspensions or even closures. It's important to note that the PEMRA Chairman will no longer possess unilateral authority to impose bans or suspensions on channels. According to the new legislation, any suspension or banning of channel licenses will necessitate the approval of the Grievance Council and the consensus of two additional authority members, alongside the PEMRA Chairman. Channels found in breach of the code of conduct might face fines of up to Rs one million, and severe violations could lead to fines of up to Rs ten million."
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
The Express Tribune
Date of incident
20
Month
July
Year
2023
Name of affected person
No person was affected
Other affected persons
Not other person affected
Name of affected organization
All media channels and organisations
Other affected organizations
No other organization was affected
Action by
By the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority
City
Nationwide
Province
Nationwide
Designation
Media Organisation
Professional category
Not Applicable
Age of victim
N/A
Marital Status
N/ACompensation Details
Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation announced
Date of compensation announcement by government: No compensation announced
Date of compensation paid by government: No compensation announced
Amount of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced
Date of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced
Date compensation paid by others: No compensation announced
FIR Details
Was FIR registered ?: No
Court Details
Was case investigated ?: No
Court where case was presented: It is a PEMRA directive
Name of prosecuting lawyer: It is a PEMRA directive
Date of first court hearing:
Date of last court hearing:
Status of court case: It is a PEMRA directive
Journalist Union Status
PFUJ
Not required to contact
APNS
N/A
CPNE
N/A
PBA
N/A
Condemn Status
Colleague of victim
Not required to contact
Employer organization
Not required to contact
Press Club Status
Press club 1: Not required to contact
Press club 2: N/A
Press club 3: N/A