ISLAMABAD: The media regulator imposed restrictions on live coverage of events outside the Judicial Complex in Islamabad where Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan was scheduled to appear for a court hearing.
In an advisory, entitled “Prohibition order on live coverage under Section 27 of Pemra Ordinance 2001,” the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) cited concerns that satellite TV channels are broadcasting “live footage and images of violent mobs, attacks on police, and law enforcement agencies.”
“Such footage/images were seen on TV screens without any editorial oversight during a recent standoff between political party workers and law enforcing agencies in Lahore wherein, a violent mob used petrol bombs, injuring armless policemen and blazing police vehicles,” he said.
“The live telecast of such footage on different satellite TV channels created chaos and panic among the viewers and police.”
According to the communiqué, the activism of mobs poses a threat to both public safety and the rule of law. The regulator said that broadcasting such content violates a Supreme Court ruling.
The letter further emphasized that such actions put public property and lives at risk, underscoring the importance of responsible reporting by media outlets.
“The competent authority while exercising powers vested under Section 26(a) of the Pemra Ordinance 2002 as amended by Pemra (Amendment) Act 2007, hereby prohibits live/recorded coverage of any kind of rally, public gathering, procession by any party, organization and individual, etc. for today i.e. March 18, 2023, including from the judicial complex, Islamabad.”
The regulator warned that in case of non-compliance, the license shall be suspended under Section 30 (3) of PEMRA Ordinance, 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act, 2007, without any show cause notice in the public interest along with other enabling provisions of law.
