Reports of the removal of ARY News from broadcast were shared. The network said that the channel had been removed on the instructions of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to cable operators.
FOE Link or motive by PPF
ConfirmedCase Update Status
Pakistan Electronic Regulatory Media Authority restores the transmission of ARY News
Summary of Case
"As per the channel, transmission was suspended in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot, Hyderabad, Faisalabad as well as other cities, additionally in areas of Rawalpindi, the location of the channel had been changed, and continues to be disrupted in a number of cities. Taking the channel off air is an undemocratic step and is a tactic used in the past to silence other television networks such as Geo News, the removal of broadcast of any channel works as a tool of censorship. This further creates an environment of red lines and over time creates financial difficulties for the network. It is a dangerous repeat of past steps taken by authorities against different media organizations, and we urge the relevant authorities that ARY News be returned to air across the country without any disruptions in broadcast. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the suspension in broadcast and urged the PEMRA to restore the channel. PFUJ President Afzal Butt said that nationwide protests would be held if it wasn’t restored within 24 hours."
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
4
Month
August
Year
2022
Name of affected person
ARY News
Other affected persons
No other person was affected
Name of affected organization
ARY News
Other affected organizations
No other Organization affected
Action by
Reports of removal of ARY channel issued by Pakistan Electronic Regulatory Media Authority
City
Nationwide
Province
Nationwide
Designation
Organization
Professional category
Organization
Age of victim
Not applicable
Marital Status
N/ACompensation 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 ?: FIR not registered
Court where case was presented: FIR not registered
Name of prosecuting lawyer: FIR not registered
Date of first court hearing:
Date of last court hearing:
Status of court case: FIR not registered
Journalist Union Status
PFUJ
Not required to contact
APNS
N/A
CPNE
N/A
PBA
N/A
Media Source Status
Media reports:
http://www.journalismpakistan.com/pfuj-condemns-police-torture-of-photojournalistCondemn Status
Colleague of victim
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the suspension in broadcast and urged the PEMRA to restore the channel. PFUJ President Afzal Butt said that nationwide protests would be held if it wasn’t restored within 24 hours.
Employer organization
Not required to contact
Press Club Status
Press club 1: Not required to contact
Press club 2: N/A
Press club 3: N/A