Khudayar Mohla –
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Friday issued show cause notice to private television channel News One which has disseminated an audio and video clip of incumbent Chairman National Accountability Bureau about alleged conversation with a lady.
Serving the show cause notice to the private television channel, the PEMRA sought reply from the Airwaves Media within seven days in the matter saying “as to why , legal action may not be initiated against the channel for violating PEMRA laws.
PEMRA said in the notice, “The licensee through its CEO is also directed to appear for personal hearing on May 31, at PEMRA HQs,Islamabad, in person or through an authorized representative. In case of non-compliance, the Authority shall be constrained to initiate ex-parte proceedings under Section 29 and 30 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act, 2007 and 2018”.
It has been mentioned in the notice that M/s Airwaves Media Pvt Ltd News One on May 2, 2019 repeatedly flashed a Breaking News @ 21:26 pm targeting the Chairman NAB along with audio and video clips whereby Chairman NAB was allegedly shown in conversation with a lady.
“The channel continued claiming that the defamatory statements and clips were being aired in the public interest. Later @ 22:33 pm News One aired a rebuttal and apology that its management has decided to stop airing the news and the clips against Chairman NAB being unconfirmed and unverified. Notwithstanding, the channel management itself admitted that news item aired earlier was devoid of facts and was false and frivolous, hence, tendered apology to the Chairman NAB”, said in the notice.
PEMRA said that airing such defamatory and false propaganda, maligning a dignitary and head of an important institution amounts to sheer violation of Electronic Media (Programmes & Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015 duly the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan.
