Case Update Status

Channel restored it's transmission on July 7

Summary of Case

"On July 3, 2020 Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) suspended the license of 24 News over illegal transmission.

In a notification, the regulator stated that Value TV holding license for entertainment content was persistently, illegally, and unlawfully airing news and current affairs in violation of PEMRA laws.

PEMRA said, 24 News was provided ample opportunities to revert to its original content. However, the licensee failed to comply with the orders of the authority to switch to its original programming of entertainment. A show cause notice was also issued on May 7, 2020 but the channel defended its stance and continued airing news and current affairs content.

“A final order is issued today whereby, licence conferred to M/s. Central Media Network Pvt. Ltd. Value TV illegally using the name as 24 News is suspended with immediate effect till the time it reverts back to its original programming mix.”

Shazada Zulfiqar, President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Nasir Zaidi, Secretary-General strongly condemned the suspension of transmission and urged PEMRA to immediately withdraw the order as the channel had been operational for a long time and hundreds of employees may face job cuts due to this uncalled for suspension.

In a statement, Karachi Press Club (KPC) President Mohammad Imtiaz Khan Faran, Secretary Arman Sabir and other office-holders and workers ""strongly condemned"" Pemra's decision to suspend the licence and demanded its restoration.

The statement said that the media industry was facing the ""worst crisis"" during the present government because of which journalists and media workers were facing financial difficulties.

The Lahore High Court directed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to restore license of private TV channel 24NewsHD on July 7. "

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

Journalism Pakistan

Date of incident

3

Month

July

Year

2020

Name of affected person

N/A

Other affected persons

No other person affected

Name of affected organization

24 News

Other affected organizations

No other organization affected

Action by

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)

City

Islamabad

Province

Capital Territory

Designation

Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.

Professional category

Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.

Age of victim

Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.

Date of compensation announcement by government: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.

Date of compensation paid by government: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.

Amount of compensation announced by others: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.

Date of compensation announced by others: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.

Date compensation paid by others: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.

Court where case was presented: Lahore High Court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: N/A

Date of first court hearing: 07/05/2020

Date of last court hearing: 07/05/2020

Status of court case: Case closed

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

Shazada Zulfiqar, President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Nasir Zaidi, Secretary-General strongly condemned the suspension of transmission and urged PEMRA to immediately withdraw the order as the channel had been operational for a long time and hundreds of employees may face job cuts due to this uncalled for suspension.

APNS

CPNE

PBA

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Not applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channel.

Employer organization

24 News responded and resolved the matter.

Press Club Status

Press club 1: "In a statement, Karachi Press Club (KPC) President Mohammad Imtiaz Khan Faran, Secretary Arman Sabir and other office-holders and workers ""strongly condemned"" Pemra's decision to suspend the licence and demanded its restoration. The statement said that the media industry was facing the ""worst crisis"" during the present government because of which journalists and media workers were facing financial difficulties. The Lahore High Court directed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to restore license of private TV channel 24NewsHD on July 7. "

Press club 2:

Press club 3: