Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has imposed fine on Express Entertainment.
FOE Link or motive by PPF
ConfirmedCase Update Status
According to PEMRA the matter is Sub Judice.
Summary of Case
"On 29 April, 2021 The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has imposed a Rs 500,000 fine on Express Entertainment for the use of animals as props on Time Out with Ahsan Khan.
The petition was filed by lawyer Faizullah Khan Niazi on behalf of Santia Gulzar against the TV channel for its violations and animal abuse. Announcing the news on Twitter, Niazi said, ""PEMRA saw fit to accept my arguments and impose a fine on Express Entertainment for using animals as props for the purposes of entertainment in its show Time Out with Ahsan Khan"".
""The CoC [Council of Complaints] upheld the rights of animals and stopped unnecessary pain and suffering being caused to them,"" he wrote.
In its order, Pemra noted that the show's use of animals as props is a violation of its policies. It said that the animals were caused ""unnecessary pain and suffering"". ""Subjugating animals to such uncalled for treatment is clearly prohibited under Article 4 and Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan,"" said the order.
In the show, Khan uses rabbits as props for a game. Asking his celebrity guests questions, he places the rabbit on their lap if they couldn't answer it, or answer it incorrectly. The contestant celebrities often yell at the rabbit, or they move away from it, causing it harm either way.
The fine is an encouraging decision, as Pakistani TV shows are notorious for being ruthless with animals on set. We are glad the national regulator is taking note of such violations and acknowledging that animals deserve to be protected.
According to PEMRA the matter is Sub Judice"
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
Dawn
Date of incident
29
Month
April
Year
2021
Name of affected person
No person affected
Other affected persons
No other person affected
Name of affected organization
Express Entertainment
Other affected organizations
No other organization affected
Action by
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)
City
Nationwide
Province
Nationwide
Designation
Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
Professional category
Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
Age of victim
Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
Marital Status
N/ACompensation Details
Amount of compensation announced by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
Date of compensation announcement by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
Date of compensation paid by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
Amount of compensation announced by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
Date of compensation announced by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
Date compensation paid by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
FIR Details
Was FIR registered ?: No
Court Details
Was case investigated ?: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
Court where case was presented: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
Name of prosecuting lawyer: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
Date of first court hearing:
Date of last court hearing:
Status of court case: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
Journalist Union Status
PFUJ
Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
APNS
CPNE
PBA
Condemn Status
Colleague of victim
Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
Employer organization
Express news resolved the matter legally.
Press Club Status
Press club 1: Not Applicable as PEMRA imposed fine on Express news.
Press club 2:
Press club 3: