Pemra fines private TV channels for airing defamatory content against Sindh IGP

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Thursday imposed fines against two private TV channels for airing defamatory content following a complaint was lodged by Inspector General of Police (IGP) A.D. Khawaja.

Fines were imposed on Abb Tak and Channel-24 for “airing baseless, defamatory and unverified allegations against the complainant,” a statement issued by the regulatory body said.

On the recommendation of Pemra Council of Complaints, fines of Rs0.2 million and Rs0.3 million have been imposed on Abb Tak and Channel-24, respectively, the statement added.

Pemra has also instructed the channels to air an apology in their 6:00pm news bulletin to viewers for “airing the fake news against the IGP,” the statement said.

Proceedings regarding the complaints filed by Khawaja against news reporter Zille-e-Haider of Channel-24 and the Abb Takk programme hosted by Saifan Khan were conducted by the Council on February 8, 2017 and March 29, 2017 respectively.

Both the channels have also been directed to deploy and properly utilise time delay mechanism and constitute an in-house editorial committee to ensure compliance with the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.

Pemra has warned both that in the case of repeated violation, the authority will take action against them under Section 30 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by the PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007.

Source: Dawn