Case Update Status

PEMRA bans Gala Biscuit ad is still banned.

Summary of Case

"On Oct 5, 2020, The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued an advisory for broadcasters and advertisers urging them to refrain from using themes and content which do not correspond with the nature of the product being marketed.

A copy of the advisory issued by Pemra.

In an advisory issued on October 5, the authority said that the content of ordinary consumer products, such as biscuits and detergent, being aired on TV channels was not corresponding with the nature of the product.

The advisory comes after some social media users expressed displeasure with an advertisement of Gala biscuit, starring actress Mehwish Hayat, that has been running on TV channels.

""The trend is causing/promoting unrest and behavioral disturbance among viewers being not only in violation of commonly accepted standards of decency but also socio-cultural norms of Pakistani society,"" PEMRA stated, adding that viewers were criticizing the regulatory body on social media for allowing satellite TV channels to air such ""indecent advertisements"".

""Viewers are of the view that airing advertisements regarding general consumer products in such a bizarre manner [...] is unwarranted and needs to be looked into. In addition, complainants are of the opinion that presentation of products in such a manner is wittingly or unwittingly merely aiming to promote consumerism which also requires due consideration by all stakeholders.""

The authority urged the Pakistan Broadcaster Association, the Pakistan Advertising Association and the Pakistan Advertisers Society to sensitize their members about the public's concerns and to specifically review the content for the Gala biscuit advertisement by giving due credence to the public's apprehensions and the relevant provisions of the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct, 2015.

""All stakeholders are further advised to stop the rampant use of themes/content which do not corresponding with the nature of the products.""

The commercial is still banned from PEMRA."

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

5

Month

Oct

Year

2020

Name of affected person

No person affected

Other affected persons

No other person affected

Name of affected organization

No organization affected, Pemra bans ad

Other affected organizations

No other organization affected

Action by

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)

City

Nationwide

Province

Nationwide

Designation

N/A

Professional category

N/A

Age of victim

N/A

Marital Status

Compensation 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 ?: Investigated

Court where case was presented: Case was not presented in court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Case was not presented in court

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Case was not presented in court

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: