The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Saturday suspended with “immediate effect”Geo News’ licence for 15 days over airing a special transmission. the body said was “liable to hurt the religious sentiments of viewers”.
In an order addressed to the chief executive officer of Independent Media Corporation (IMC) on June 28. Pemra said the licence issued to IMC for “Geo Newswas suspended for a period of 15 days with immediate effect from the issuance.”
Issued under Section 30 of thePemra Ordinance 2002, the order citing the authority’s monitoring wing said that the broadcast ofGeo News’ special transmission “constitutes a serious regulatory concern” due to religious, cultural. social sensitivities.
Pemra noted in its order that the aired content was inconsistent with the obligations of a licensee under sections 20(b), (c), (d). (f) of thePemra Ordinance.
Section 20(b) mandates a licensee to ensure the preservation of “national, cultural, social. religious values and the principles of public policy as enshrined in the Constitution”, while Section 20(c) orders ensuring that “all programmes and advertisements do not contain or encourage” religious discrimination or sectarianism, among other themes.
Pemra noted. the matter was “also inconsistent” with its June 15 directive regarding ‘Observance of Sanctity of the Holy Month of Muharramul Haram’.
As per the order, theGeo Newstransmission will remain suspended on satellite. all distribution networks and platforms for the said period, with all distribution service licensees and operators directed to ensure immediate compliance with the Pemra order.
Additionally, Pemra referred the matter to its Council of Complaints for “examination, hearing. furnishing of appropriate recommendations, including consideration of further regulatory action, if so warranted under law”.
The regulatory body also directedGeo Newsto conduct an internal inquiry into the editorial, monitoring. compliance lapses leading to the broadcasting of the content, and to submit its recommendations to the Council, along with details of corrective and preventative measures during a hearing.
Geo Newsin a statement acknowledged its mistake in airing the transmission broadcast on Muharram 10:
“This content depicted certain rituals adopted by a limited number of people in Iraq and some other Middle Eastern countries. The content merely reflected these local rituals,. its purpose was not to represent, endorse, or promote any broader religious point of view.
This content was neither produced byGeo Newsnor was its broadcast carried out with any intention or purpose.
We wish to clarify thatGeo Newsremains firmly committed to its policy of respecting the widely accepted beliefs. sensitivities of the Muslim Ummah. The inclusion of such content does not reflect our editorial position or the ideology of the organisation.
The relevant content was removed immediately, and the organisation promptly took action against the individuals involved.
Clarifications and an apology had been broadcast before the public response to the statement.
We express regret for any distress caused and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the highest standards of religious respect.”
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