Case Update Status

The Sindh High Court suspended the broadcast ban and fine.

Summary of Case

"On 22 Jan, 2021 Electronic media regulator PEMRA suspended the license of BOL TV and imposed a fine of one million rupees for remarks against the chief justice of Lahore High Court and other judges.

The remarks were made during the talk show, Tajzia, hosted by Sami Ibrahim.

A statement issued by PEMRA said: “BOL News in its talk show aired contemptuous remarks against the honorable Chief Justice of Lahore High Court and the other honorable judges while discussing the matter of appointment of judges in Lahore High Court.”

It said the host and the senior correspondent “cast aspersions against the superior judiciary in violation of Article 19 read with article 68 of the Constitution….and the PEMRA Code of Conduct 2015.”

In its response, BOL News maintained the content aired was per PEMRA laws and directions of the Supreme Court.

The channel did not express any regret or remorse and said the show cause notice issued was uncalled for and must be withdrawn.

Considering the reply, PEMRA suspended the license of the channel, owned by Labbaik Private Limited, and imposed a fine of Rs one million, which is to be paid within 30 days.

During an episode of the talk show, the channel ""aired contemptuous remarks against the ... chief justice of the Lahore High Court and other honorable judges while discussing the matter of appointment of judges in the"" LHC, according to a statement issued by PEMRA on Twitter.

It said both Ibrahim and a senior correspondent of the channel ""cast aspersions against the superior judiciary in violation of Article 19 read with Article 68 of the Constitution [...] and the Pemra laws including the Pemra Code of Conduct, 2015"".

Sami Ibrahim is a popular TV anchor and has interviewed a number of high-profile figures, most recently Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In its response, ""The channel did not express any regrets or remorse and argued that [the] show-cause notice is uncalled for and must be withdrawn,"" PEMRA’s statement read.

After evaluating the reply submitted and the content aired by Bol News, PEMRA concluded the matter by suspending its satellite TV channel license. The channel must pay the Rs1m fine within 30 days. This is not the first time Ibrahim has landed in trouble over his remarks concerning members of the judiciary.

On January 25, BOL News challenged that order at the Sindh High Court.

The court suspended the broadcast ban and fine, allowing BOL News to resume broadcasting immediately, and scheduled a hearing in the case for January 27, Ibrahim told CPJ."

Category of Incident

Censorship

ICCS Status

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

ICCS Group: 08031-Acts against freedom of expression

ICCS Class: "N/A"

ICCS Crime: "Acts against freedom of expression "

Reported By

Journalism Pakistan

Date of incident

22

Month

January

Year

2021

Name of affected person

Sami Ibrahim

Other affected persons

No other person affected

Name of affected organization

Bol News

Other affected organizations

No other organization affected

Action by

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)

City

Islamabad

Province

Capital Territory

Designation

Anchor

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

Not Applicable as PEMRA suspended BOL TV's license

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA suspended BOL TV's license

Date of compensation announcement by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA suspended BOL TV's license

Date of compensation paid by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA suspended BOL TV's license

Amount of compensation announced by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA suspended BOL TV's license

Date of compensation announced by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA suspended BOL TV's license

Date compensation paid by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA suspended BOL TV's license

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Yes

Court where case was presented: Sindh High Court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Not available

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing: 25/01/2021

Status of court case: On 25 Jan 21 The Sindh High Court suspended the broadcast ban and fine

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

N/A

APNS

CPNE

PBA

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

N/A

Employer organization

N/A

Press Club Status

Press club 1: N/A

Press club 2:

Press club 3: