Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) advised all TV channels.
FOE Link or motive by PPF
ConfirmedCase Update Status
PEMRA advised satellite television channels not to report on government meetings under progress, but the stakeholders expressed concern over the directive. The advise is still implemented.
Summary of Case
"On 28 April, 2021 The electronic media regulator has advised satellite television channels not to report on government meetings under progress, but the stakeholders expressed concern over the directive.
In a statement released, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) said news channels should exercise caution while reporting on decisions taken at cabinet meetings and rely mainly on briefings given by a cabinet member, in order to avoid the airing of “fake or speculative news”.
The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (Aemend) took exception to restrictions placed by Pemra on TV channels under cover of the ‘advice’ on how to report on cabinet meetings.
Azhar Abbas, the association’s president, said in a statement that Pemra was turning into a `censorship tool’ instead of acting as a regulator.
“Such actions to curb media freedom are making Pemra controversial,” Mr Abbas said.
“Aemend is of the firm view that if there is news concerning the proceedings and decisions of the federal cabinet, and official circles decline to say anything on record, it is the media’s responsibility to report on matters of public interest.
“In addition, at times senior government officials themselves provide information on cabinet proceedings while requesting anonymity,” Mr Abbas said.
He, however, added that the government had the right to contradict or clarify any report aired by a channel.
Aemend called upon the journalists’ unions and media organisations to resist this move to censor content and to undermine the media’s freedom."
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
All TV Channels
Other affected organizations
All TV Channels
Action by
Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (PEMRA)
City
Nationwide
Province
Nationwide
Designation
Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to all TV channels
Professional category
Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to all TV channels
Age of victim
Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channels.
Marital Status
N/ACompensation Details
Amount of compensation announced by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channels.
Date of compensation announcement by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channels.
Date of compensation paid by government: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channels.
Amount of compensation announced by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channels.
Date of compensation announced by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channels.
Date compensation paid by others: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channels.
FIR Details
Was FIR registered ?: No
Court Details
Was case investigated ?: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channels.
Court where case was presented: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channels.
Name of prosecuting lawyer: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channels.
Date of first court hearing:
Date of last court hearing:
Status of court case: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channels.
Journalist Union Status
PFUJ
N/A
APNS
CPNE
PBA
Condemn Status
Colleague of victim
"The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (Aemend) took exception to restrictions placed by Pemra on TV channels under cover of the ‘advice’ on how to report on cabinet meetings. Azhar Abbas, the association’s president, said in a statement that Pemra was turning into a `censorship tool’ instead of acting as a regulator."
Employer organization
Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channels.
Press Club Status
Press club 1: Not Applicable as PEMRA issued notice to TV channels.
Press club 2:
Press club 3: