The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued instructions for television broadcasters to prevent anti-state remarks from airing during live coverage of the PTI-long march.
PEMRA instructed networks to use the delay mechanism when airing remarks from PTI leaders as they discuss the ongoing long march in its notification.
The regulatory body also issued a warning that channels that disobeyed the rules will have their licences suspended and withdrawn and face legal repercussions under Sections 27, 29, 30, and 33 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002.
Channels were advised not to air material from the long march coverage that disparages public institutions by PEMRA. It has mandated that the delay mechanism be put into action while adhering to high court rulings and PEMRA regulations.
The media watchdog reportedly noticed that while the first day of the long march was being shown live on channels, PTI officials made anti-state comments in their speeches.
The authority reiterated adherence to the guidelines for all television channels and determined that this was a violation of court judgments and PEMRA standards.
It should be mentioned that on September 5, PEMRA published guidelines regarding live broadcasts of any kind for news, current affairs, and regional language stations, requesting adherence to the Islamabad High Court’s rulings on the subject.
“Immediate deployment of the maximum time delay mechanism for transmitting Live Content as stipulated in clause 5 of the Code of Conduct 2015 is made. According to the guidelines, “Details of the equipment installed by the Licensee shall be disclosed with the Authority together with technical specifications specifying the maximum duration for which signal of live programme/content is delayed.
The editorial board/in-house monitoring committee must be established promptly, according to the authority’s rules. Detailed instructions and SOPs for carrying out their obligations under Clause 17 of the Code of Conduct.
