Dr Danish
FOE Link or motive by PPF
ConfirmedCase Update Status
Fine has been paid.
Summary of Case
On 1st Feb, 2020 The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has imposed a fine of Rs1 million on Channel 92 for "airing defamatory content" against Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Syed Zulfikar Bukhari in October last year.
Pemra noted that the media house had violated Clause 22 (1) of the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisement) Code of Conduct, 2015, by airing false allegations against Mr. Bukhari in its two programmes Jawab Chahiye, hosted by Dr. Danish, and News Report aired on Oct 17 and 18, respectively.
Issuing censure for airing baseless and defamatory material against Mr. Bukhari without any evidence and providing him an opportunity to defend himself, Pemra warned the channel and the anchorperson of strict action against airing such defamatory news programme against anybody in future.
The decision was taken by Pemra on the recommendations of its council of complaints, Islamabad, which heard the arguments of the SAPM and M/s Galaxy Broadcasting Network (Pvt) Ltd, during its 65th meeting.
The authority advised the channel to ensure compliance of its decision within seven days of issuance of the notification.
Mr Bukhari appeared before the council in person along with his legal team while Usama Shamas, Aftab Bajwa and Sohail Bhatti represented the channel during the hearing.
Mr Bukhari, in its complaint lodged with Pemra on Oct 29, 2019, had contended that anchorperson Dr Danish did a concocted and fabricated show against him on Channel-92 which was factually incorrect and based on lies.
According to Mr. Zulfi the anchorperson was totally wrong about everything in his one-hour talk show including screening of incorrect facts, onshore company portrayed as offshore firm, misrepresentation of facts mentioned in the documents, misquoted facts with regard to a concluded inquiry in the National Accountability Bureau and his status as dual national. Mr Bukhari said he was portrayed as a traitor by the anchor by questioning his loyalty to Pakistan, and termed a security risk and compared with Hussain Haqqani. Urging the channel and anchorperson to tender a public apology, the SAPM said such accusations had damaged his reputation.
According to PEMRA, channel has paid the fine amount.
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
Date of incident
1
Month
February
Year
2020
Name of affected person
Dr Danish
Other affected persons
No other person affected
Name of affected organization
92 News
Other affected organizations
No other organization affected
Action by
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)
City
Islamabad
Province
Capital Territory
Designation
Anchor person
Professional category
Journalist
Age of victim
Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
Marital Status
MarriedCompensation Details
Amount of compensation announced by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
Date of compensation announcement by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
Date of compensation paid by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
Amount of compensation announced by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
Date of compensation announced by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
Date compensation paid by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
FIR Details
Was FIR registered ?: No
Court Details
Was case investigated ?: Not Applicalble as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
Court where case was presented: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
Name of prosecuting lawyer: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
Date of first court hearing:
Date of last court hearing:
Status of court case: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
Journalist Union Status
PFUJ
Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
APNS
N/A
CPNE
N/A
PBA
N/A
Media Source Status
Media reports:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1531977/pemra-imposes-rs1m-fine-on-tv-channel-for-maligning-pms-aideCondemn Status
Colleague of victim
Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
Employer organization
Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
Press Club Status
Press club 1: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
Press club 2: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.
Press club 3: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on TV channel.